Stand Up Paddling is one of the fastest growing paddlesports in the world. Part of the allure of SUP’ing is that the sport offers the combination of the simplicity of surfing, and the versatility of being able to travel on any type of water (rivers, ponds, lakes, oceans, swimming pools, etc). There are 2 essential items that you need for Stand Up paddling; a board and a paddle. Werner makes a  paddle for SUP’ers of all shapes, sizes and ability levels. Here is a review on three popular models of SUP paddles, which are all 10% off at CKS!

The Werner Carve

Specs:

Surface Area: 101 sq in
Blade Length x Width: 19 x 7.3 in
Weight: 907g/32oz
Adjustable Length: 74-78.5″, 78-82.5″, 82-86.5″, 86-90.5″

Besides being a great all around SUP paddle, the Carve is also a favored fitness and race paddle because the blade shape allows you to paddle with the blade partially submerged for quick, small resistance strokes. These quick strokes are what make the Carve a pleasure to paddle with because you actually realize how much quicker your moving in virtually every situation. So weather its big guys or small women, waves or distance, racing or fitness the Carve will work for anything and everything.

The Werner Carve

The Werner Advantage

Specs:

Surface Area:111 sq in
Blade Length x Width:19 x 8.75 in
Weight:936g/33oz
Adjustable Length:74-78.5″, 78-82.5″, 82-86.5″, 86-90.5″

The Advantage at 111 sq inches is Werner Paddles largest SUP blade option. For the bigger paddlers who enjoy the deeper strokes and bigger bracing area, The Advantage offers maximum power and maximum durability. Your not going to find another adjustable length paddle on the market for $259 that even the largest of paddlers can rely on in heavy surf. The Advantage is also a great option for the down wind or down river enthusiast with a longer board and more efficient stroke-the larger blade will generate more speed while at the top end.

The Werner Advantage

The Werner Spanker

Specs:

Surface Area:106 sq in
Blade Length x Width: 19.5 x 9.25 cm
Weight:680g/24oz
Adjustable Length:74″-78.5″, 78″-82.5″, 82″-86.5″, 86″-90.5″

Light weight and full power. The Spanker gives you the best of both worlds. Foam Core blade with deep dihedral shape snatches the power right from the catch and the release has a sensation of jumping right out of the water. Picking up the pace with this stick is effortless and just like their
whitewater paddles these things are “BOMBER”!

Here’s a video on everything you’d ever want to know about the Spanker and Werner Paddles:

General Paddle Information

Adjustable Length Shaft:

CKS is currently stocking adjustable length paddles. If you would like to order a  1 or 2 piece paddle, give us a call. Werner can make just about any paddle in a 1 piece or breakdown version.

Sizing:

The Uli stand up paddle board is the weapon of choice for the SUP enthusiast.  It’s high quality construction, performance oriented design, overall stiffness and inflatable technology make this board one of the best around. Uli makes two models of inflatable stand up’s.  The 11′0″ SUP is the most popular board in Uli’s lineup. It’s very stable which adds to it’s versatility. Beginners can learn to SUP on flat water, and veterans of the sport can still enjoy it on waves. The 10′0″ Steamroller is the other Uli SUP that we are currently stocking. This board is named after one of Uli’s pro riders.  Steamroller is 6′5″ and weighs 295 lbs. He paddles it on flat water and carves big waves on his board. It’s hard to believe that these things are inflatable!

What separates Uli’s from other SUP’s , is it’s stiffness. This is a direct result of high quality  construction and the stringer system that runs along the bottom of the board (see picture below). The Uli is very stable and fast on flat water. It turns smoothly with no flutter. On moving water, the Uli begins to show it’s true colors. It surfs and paddles down river with confidence.  People that are used to glass surfboards will find that the Uli is not quite as stiff, but still enjoyable.

The blue stripe is the stringer that provides stiffness.

The Specs:

The Uli 10′0″ Steam Roller:

Height: 10’0”
Width: 29”
Thickness: 3 7/8”
Weight: 30 lbs

The Uli 11′0″

Height: 11’0”
Width: 29”
Thickness: 3 7/8”
Weight: 33 lbs

Dropping in.....River style.

Toe stand splat?

Pealing out

Lean back....

Pros:

The primary advantages of  Uli SUP’s are quality of construction, ultra-portability (see photo below) and high performance design.  All Uli boards are built out of the same material as inflatable military boats. In short, they are built to take a beating. Uli’s are strong enough to be surfed on 20′+ waves, beaten on reef and rocks and surfed directly into the shore on beach breaks.

A great thing about SUP’s in general is that they allow ALL populations to enjoy the health benefits of flat water paddling. Balancing on the board is fairly easy, and works all of the body’s core muscles. It is similar to a pilates workout. After mastering flat water technique, moving water offers even more workout potential as well as unlimited fun! Since the sport is in it’s early stages of evolution pertaining to rivers, you can literally invent tricks and try to master surfing on a variety of river features.

The deflated Uli rolls up into a small package and fits inton a backpack. Hike it into your secret break in the tropics!

Cons:

Because the Uli is inflatable, it is not as stiff as a fiberglass surfboard.  It also costs a bit more than some other brands of SUP’s due to it’s superior quality.

The verdict:

The Uli inlfatable stand up surf board is tons of fun for everyone in the family, ranging from young children to seniors. These SUP’s are stiff enough to be aggressively surfed on river and ocean features, yet docile and forgiving on flat water.

The Arkansas River here in Colorado

Flat water workout in Colorado

Kona Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board Review!

Who’s ever heard of a long board that needs a pump? Until about a month ago, I thought that all surf boards were between 6′ and 11′ feet  long, and were made out of fiberglass or some type of foam. I also thought that I needed to live San Clemente, California or Hawaii to justify spending the money on one. Well, now my opinion has changed. I live in the most land locked state in the continental US, have a 600 square foot house with no storage and own a pickup truck with no racks. I’m gettin’ me an inflatable SUP! No river, lake, swimming pool or pond is safe anymore. SUP’ers can s carve up and down glassy river waves, paddle distances on flat water for a great core training workout (similar to pilates), and roll this sucker up into a small 23 lb. package (it comes with it’s own backpack!) and bring it with them to Baja with no extra baggage charge!

The Specs:

This isn't the greatest picture in the world, but at least you can see the board.

Removable and replaceable tri-fin setup.

· Size inflated: 10′ 10″ long x 29″ wide in middle x 4″ thick
· Size deflated: Roll to 18+” dia x 30.5″ tall
· Weight (SUP only): 23 lbs.
· Inflate to 10+ psi to support up to 150-lb paddler
· Inflate to 12-15 psi to support up to 200-lb paddler
Fins: Tri-fin configuration. Use 1, 2 or 3 fins. (Fins are removable without tools.)
· Sturdy “D” ring at tail for board leash attachment (For safety reasons, you should use leash to prevent    b  board from blowing away if you fall.)
· Four smaller “D” rings on bow for attaching storage container.

Pros:

What isn’t there to like about an ultra portable, inflatable surfboard that can be enjoyed by people on ANY type of water (lakes, ponds,rivers, oceans)?  The target market for the Kona SUP is the person who wants to learn how to SUP (or longboard) and get a great value for their hard earned money. The Kona is a few dollars less expensive than other SUP’s on the market like the Uli boards.  This board (the Kona) is meant for people that will spend a fair amount of time paddling on flat water, but want to try it out on surf waves and down river too. It’s very stable and durable. The heavy duty rubber construction is built to take a beating and keep on surfing. This is good news for river SUP’ers who want to take the board down streams with rocky rapids. Deep water runs are by far better to learn on because there are less obstacle to run / fall  into. Check out this video:

Here’s another:

Cons:

The Kona SUP is a beginner / recreational board.  If you’re going to take your SUP to the beach and try to paddle into larger waves (6 feet plus), or spend most of your time on the river (and not flatwater) you may want to look at higher performance boards like the Uli.

The Verdict:

This is one of the best all around / multi-use SUP’s made. It is great for flat water workouts, learning to paddle in white water, learning to surf, etc.  If you’re going to charge hard, you may want to look at the Uli because it’s built for higher performance on moving water.

The Kona comes complete with a back pack travel bag, pump, PSI gauge, fins and board. All that you need to complete the package is a paddle and a first class ticket to Bali.

Stand Up Paddling Product Reviews

Stand Up Paddling (aka.SUP) is the fastest growing on water sport our nation has seen. SUP is part paddling, part balancing, and part surfing. In small swells, you can easily paddle into and ride the waves without worrying about how to stand up and surf. You already are standing up. No waves, no problem. On any body of flat water, you can cruise and glide while touring the local sites efficiently and while enjoying a great vantage point for aquatic wildlife and other vistas. It is quite easy and involves a very small learning curve. SUP Boards have a myriad of uses available to anyone one who likes being on the water.

It’s ease of learning, incredible diversity, and great core workout attracts water enthusiasts of all types to give it a try. Many fans are not looking back and making SUP their first priority for recreation. All you need is
water and a little time. Kids love it, parents can’t get enough. It will become be part of your daily routine to stay active and fit. If you have not given it a try, now is the time. CKS offers easy to transport and simple to
use inflatable boats and 2 pc. paddles making you next or first SUP adventure a breeze.

CKS is currently selling 2 brands of stand up boards. The Kona Inflatable Stand Up Board, and ULI boards. The Kona is a recreational board, which performs well in a variety of conditions. It is priced very competitively.  The ULI boards are built with performance in mind.

Click on the links below to read detailed reviews on SUP’s:

The Kona inflatable SUP

Uli inflatable SUP’s (10′0″ Steamroller and 11′0″ SUP)

Stand Up Board's can be used in all types of water.....Not just the ocean.

For an even better workout, bring your children along. Spend the money that you didn't give to the baby sitter on a trip to your favorite lake, river or ocean.

Jenn has big muscles from Stand Up Paddling.

Dan Gavere's showing us how it's done....Pro style. This guy paddles 15+ miles at a time on flat water, and then charges whitewater and ocean surf too.

CKS staff member SUP'ing here is Buena Vista.

SUP'ing at the Buena Vista River Park. Come on by this spring and try one!

The great thing about an inflatable Stand Up Board is that you can bring it with you to almost any location without the hassle of paying for oversize luggage at the airport. They are small and compact when deflated. Pump it up and you're ready to roll.