Let’s be frank, anyone can tell a good inflatable stand up paddle board from a bad one; it is not rocket science. However, only you can tell whether that same board is good for YOU or not.
Let me explain, there is a multitude of good quality inflatable stand up paddle boards out there but they also come in a multitude of shapes, sizes and functions. Thus, your job is to dig deep and try to figure out whether this thing is compatible with what you always wanted to see in an iSUP. So, let me help you.
This right here is the ROC, it is a 10’ long inflatable paddle board and that makes it perfect for both smooth sailing as well as nifty wave surfing. It is 6 inches thick and that’s almost two times thicker than the standard 3-4 inches thick iSUP boards invading the market, and that makes it two times better.
The reason behind that is pretty simple: The thing with inflatable paddle boards is that they will be submerged at the center under heavy weight when they’re not thick enough (4” or more) and that makes 6” a luxury. Also, another reason why you should cherish this feature is because it can bear a lot of weight which signifies you can still use this thing on days when you don’t want to get wet.
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Now, when it comes to body design, I’m going to be really honest and tell you that this is one of the best looking inflatable paddle board we’ve ever tested and reviewed (and we’ve tested tens and tens of inflatable stand up paddle boards) This thing is the Ryan Gosling of iSUPs, girls love him, guys respect him and it’s only getting better.
On a serious note, the simple yet clever body design gives this inflatable board that authentic surf board look which is absent in most stand up paddle boards out there. The color variation is simply sublime, giving the board a competitive look but most importantly, they are compatible with both sexes.
Still on the surface, the basic features of the ROC are a huge plus. The gripping/ anti slippage pad covers most of the deck in order to enable you to locate your feet freely on top of the board and still maintain balance and also help you get back on top of the board after you dive into the water.
Further, the 4 stainless steel D-rings at the end of the deck will come in very handy if you need to carry some stuff along with you (coolers, snacks, beverages …etc) and the bigger D-ring on the nose of the board will help you tow the board or secure it.
The body is made of military grade PVC material which is then reinforced by leading industrial drop stitch construction. If you take a look at the bottom of the board, you’ll see that it comes with 3 directional fins which will help you steer easily on calm water but not so well in stronger currents or on waves. Thus you might want to consider removing the central fin when taking the high way.
What’s worth emphasizing is that this is an inflatable paddle board which makes it much more practical than a hard board. “But hard boards are stronger” you might wonder; Not really, the ROC can take anything from crashing into sharp rocks to being rolled over by a car.
As long as you stay away from rubbish products, you’ll be more than satisfied with your inflatable stand up paddle board. Another perk is that this thing can be deflated, rolled up and packed inside a tiny bag which will make transporting and storing it a 100 times easier than a hard board.
A very important point which you should keep in mind is that this board comes in a wholly comprehensive package which will make your experience a lot smoother. The pre-mentioned package includes a high pressure hand pump, equipped with a pressure gauge so as you can tell exactly the right PSI that your board requires (15 PSI), a solid non collapsible paddle which could’ve been better to be honest and a back pack carry bag which will make storing + transporting your board a piece of cake.
Pros
- The ROC is one of the best looking inflatable stand up paddle boards out there but most importantly it is one of the toughest ones thanks to its rigid military grade PVC body.
- The comprehensive package is a blessing for beginners but it is also very beneficial for professional paddlers.
- It’s an inflatable paddle board which means it is much more enjoyable, lighter, smoother, easier to control and lot less of a pain in the back when it comes to transportation and storing.
Cons
- The hand pumping can be tolerated for a couple weeks before it becomes a burden. So, my advice to you is to get yourself an electric pump and save yourself the trouble.