I bought this for myself as a Christmas gift. Temperatures being what they are, I haven't taken it out on the water yet, but I thought I'd write a review based on my initial impressions. I'll update once I get a chance to take this baby out on the water this summer.
I have paddle boarded for about two years. I've never used an inflatable before, but purchased one because I found a regular board was not practical for me. They've heavy, I'm petite and a long way from the water, I don't have a travel rack, etc.
First, the material of the board is impressively sturdy. Not knowing what to expect from an inflatable, I am pleasantly surprised at how rugged and durable this appears.
That was my first impression pulling it out of the box. After pumping it up, I stood on the board in my driveway and couldn't tell a difference between this and a fiberglass board. Whether I'll notice the difference on the water remains to be seen. But so far, so good.
It comes with a pump that was much bigger than I anticipated. It only took about 10 minutes to pump the board from completely empty to full. Overall, it was easy to pump up, though those last few PSIs are tough grind, to be sure.
It comes with a patch kit, should you need it.
It doesn't come with a leash. No big deal. I just bought one here on Amazon.
Another pro: The board is beautiful. I'm a girl. Pretty things are important to me. :)
Probably the best thing about the board is the weight. It's not light as a feather, but if you've ever carried around a heavy fiberglass board, you will gladly appreciate the difference. It is noticeably lighter.
To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect from an inflatable. But so far, I am extremely pleased with my purchase. Now comes the hard part - waiting for summer to arrive so I can give this an official test drive.
Edit: OK, I've ridden this for a full summer now. It did take a couple of sessions out on the water to get my sea legs on it. You can tell it's an inflatable, not a fiberglass, once it's out on the water. It's not a dramatic difference. Give yourself some time and you'll adjust.
I've noticed by the time the waves get too choppy for me, none of the fiberglass boards are on the water either. It holds up well in light to moderate surf.
I still love how light and portable it is. Because it's inflatable, I spend my energy paddling, not burning it all carrying a heavy board out to the water.
Also, the material has held up well. I've bumped it, shoved it in condo elevators and scraped it on wall edges. Not intentionally, but things happen. It appears to be the same quality material as a river raft, tough and sturdy.
Overall, I am still pleased with my purchase. And I'm ready for warmer temperatures to do some more paddling. :)
| Skill Level | Beginner |
|---|---|
| Maximum Weight Recommendation | 159 Kilograms |
| Item Thickness | 6 Inches |
| Age Range (Description) | Adult |
| Strap Type | Ankle |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 38.98 x 19.29 x 15.35 inches |
| Package Weight | 9.53 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 11.6 x 36 x 6 inches |
| Brand Name | ISLE Surf and SUP |
| Warranty Description | 2 Year |
| Model Name | ISLE 11'6 Sportsman |
| Suggested Users | unisex-adult |
| Manufacturer | ISLE Surf and SUP |
| Part Number | IS-SC02 |
| Model Year | 2022 |
| Style | ISLE 11'6 Sportsman |
| Included Components | Paddle Boards |
| Size | 11' |
