Red Paddle Co 2017 Range - Overview and First Thoughts

Red Paddle Co 2017 Range - Overview and First Thoughts

2017 Red Paddle Co Fleet

Red Paddle Co just announced their 2017 board range! As in previous years Red Paddle is innovating, refining, and expanding their range with new boards and new innovations. Here's our thoughts:

Quick Summary

  • 5 new boards: 11'3" Sport, 10'7" Ride Windsup, 10'7" Windsurf, 14' Ride L and the 22' Dragon.
  • Minor graphic changes on the Ride family, Explorer family, kids Snapper, Flow and Activ and major graphic changes on the Sport family, Race family and Whip
  • Innovations such as standard Ram mounts for attaching GoPro's and other attachments, Forward Flex Control (FFC) on the Race boards and a new FCS fin system for the Sport, Explorer and Whip boards.
  • Refinements such as foil liner/paddle pouch in the board bag, new Titan Pump,  Velcro tie down on the RSS batons and MSL Fusion refinements.

New Boards

Red Paddle Co is continuing to broaden their range of boards to fill in some of the gaps. Because SUP in general has grown in popularity, the different types of riders is more diverse than ever. 

11'3" Sport
Last year Red Paddle came out with the 12'6 Sport. It had great reviews and was one of our favourite boards of 2016. The 11' Sport is also a favourite - a very agile board but one that had a more limited weight range (198 pounds). With the introduction of the 11'3 Sport, slightly larger riders will find the extra 2 inches of width will help the board support more weight (242 pounds) and be more stable - without losing agility. If you want something with more performance than a Ride (and tracks straighter but don't need a full sized touring board the 11'3 Sport is a great choice.

10'7" Ride Windsup & 10'7" Windsurf
The 10'7 Ride Windsup replaces the 10'8 Ride Windsup and the 10'7" Windsurf is a new board for 2017.  The 10'7" Windsurf introduces a new Sure-Fin system, which is unique to Red Paddle Co. The Sure-Fin system is a large drop-in daggerboard slot through the centre of the SUP. This will add stability, increased tracking and more lateral control.
Plus new for 2017, Red Paddle is adding Red Sails. 4 new types of sails for the Windsup and Windsurf boards.

14' Ride L & 22' Dragon
The massive Ride XL was a popular, if niche, board last year and Red Paddle decided to expand the range with the Ride L. The idea behind the Ride L is to have 4 riders on the board at the same time. The Ride XL you could have them side by side, whereas the Ride L you are standing all in a column.
The 22' Dragon takes that same concept but makes the board longer and sleeker and meant for competitive race (think Dragon Boats but stand up SUP style).

Graphic Changes

For 2017, every board has received a change in the look department. Some minor and some major. These changes looks like Red Paddle is bringing the whole fleet to a common font, style and placement. 

  • Ride family has a larger Ride print with a smaller size. So from farther away it will draw your eyes to the Ride opposed to the size.
  • Explorer family updated the nose graphics to a blue camo pattern. 
  • Snapper, Flow and Activ changes the font and style to match the rest of the fleet with minor colour adjustments here and there.
  • Sport Family, Whip and Race Family revamped their colour scheme and design

Check out some of the boards below to compare the changes (use the slider to drag back and forth) :

2016 13'2 Explorer2017 13'2 Explorer
2016 Ride 10'62017 Ride 10'6
2016 11' Sport2017 11' Sport

Technology Leaps and Innovations

Red Paddle only produces inflatable SUPS and tend to lead the industry in new innovations. The past few years has seen the development of RSS and MSL technologies and the titan pump to name a few. For 2017 Red Paddle has introduced:

  • Ram Mounting points. For us this might be my favourite new feature. All 2017 Red Paddle Co boards will have at least one Ram Mounting point. This means mounting that GoPro or fishing rod or even a cup holder (if that is your thing). All will have one mounting point at the nose and some boards like the Explorer and Flow will have a second (or third) mounting point.
    RAM Smartphone Fixing
    RAM Universal Socket
    RAM Camera Mount
  • FFC. Red Paddle has major upgraded their Elite race boards with the new Forward Flex Control. FFC is a patented innovation by Red Paddle Co to give the Elite race boards even more rigidity. A stiffening rod is attached to the nose of the board (on the top). Combined with RSS on the sides, this will significantly limit flex - we are very interesting to see how it performs.
    Forward Flex Control
  • FCS fins. FCS is a world-leading surfboard fin creator. The Explorer, Sport and Whip boards for 2017 will all feature the new FCS II Connect Fins. No tools or screws needed. Just simply slot in by hand.  No more losing screws! 
    FCS

Refinements

2017 is also the year Red Paddle improves on some of their boards and accessories.

  • Board Bag. Improving the already great board bag, Red Paddle is adding a foiled liner. This liner will help protect the board from extreme temperatures. Also the bag now includes a pouch to hold your 3pc paddle.
    Red Paddle Co Board Bag Red Paddle Board Bag Paddle Pouch
  • Titan Pump. Red Paddle is improving their internal design and manufacturing process to improve performance and efficiency on the Titan - including reinforcing the handlebars and pump gauge now registers real-time pressure. Red Paddle also included extra adapters (Boston Valve, nozzle and screw-ones) that will work with inflatable kayaks and air mattresses.
    Red Paddle Titan Pump Gauge
  • Velcro Tab. Sometimes it is the little things that count. Boards with RSS will now feature a practical velcro tab to tie down the cord. 
    RSS Tie Down
  • MSL FusionRed Paddle continues to use MSL fusion composite and airtight coating for all their boards. MSL involves fusing a second layer of hard-wearing polymer to the drop-stitch core at the raw material stage, removing hand gluing errors. The high-tech industrial process also saves almost 2 kg in weight and makes the boards stiffer at lower pressures. In 2017, they improved this process making the reinforced second layer thicker with increased bond strength.

With all the changes and upgrades, we at Red River Paddle are excited to try out these new boards and hear from our customers on how they are exploring our beautiful country of Canada - and beyond. We will be bringing in some 10'6 and 10'8 Rides in November 2016 with other boards to follow later. Our main big shipment is expected in February 2017 but we are happy to special order in boards anytime.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact us.

Below is a video Red Paddle produced to show off what is new for 2017


2017 Red Paddle Range
(or go to our 2017 Red Paddle Co Board Chooser)

Ride Family - the best selling family of all around inflatables in the world!

 
  2017 9'8 Ride 2017 10'6 Ride 2017 10'8 Ride
Board 9'8" Ride 10'6" Ride 10'8" Ride
Who's it for? lighter riders
all-rounder
all-rounder bigger/family riders
all-rounder
Length 9'8" 10'6" 10'8"
Width 31" (78.7 cm) 32" (81.2 cm) 34" (86.4 cm)
Thickness 3.93" (10 cm) 4.7" (12 cm) 4.7" (12 cm)
Volume 193 litres 240 litres 296 litres
Rider Weight up to 210 lbs (95 kg) up to 220 lbs (100 kg) up to 265 lbs (120 kg)

 

Sport Family - best choice for intermediate and advanced paddlers

  2017 11' Sport 2017 11'3 Sport 2017 12'6 Sport
Board 11'0 Sport 11'3 Sport 12'6" Sport
Who's it for? high performance bigger riders
high performance
high performance
touring
Length 11'0"{ 11'3" 12'6"
Width 30" (76.2 cm) 32" (81.3cm) 30" (76.2 cm)
Thickness 4.72" (12 cm) 4.72" (12cm) 5.9" (15 cm)
Volume 300 litres 306 litres 350 litres
Rider Weight up to 198 lbs (90 kg) up to 242 lbs (110 kg) up to 330 lbs (150 kg)

 

Explorer Family - best choice for those wanting to see what's around the bend

  2017 12'6 Explorer 2017 13'2 Explorer
Board 12'6" Explorer 13'2" Explorer+
Who's it for? touring
cargo
touring + performance
cargo
Length 12'6" 13'2"
Width 32" (81.3 cm) 30" (76.2 cm)
Thickness 5.9" (15 cm) 5.9" (15 cm)
Volume 370 litres 350 litres
Rider Weight up to 330 lbs (150 kg) up to 330 lbs (150 kg)

 

Race Famiy - best for competitive racers and experienced paddlers

  2017 10'6 Max Race 2017 12'6 Race 2017 12'6 Elite Race 2017 14' Race 2017 14'0 Elite Race
Board 10'6" Max Race 12'6" Race 12'6" Elite 14' Race 14' Elite
Who's it for? young racers competitive racers serious racers competitive racers ultimate racers
Length 10'6" 12'6" 12'6" 14'0" 14'0"
Width 24" (61 cm) 28" (71.1 cm) 26" (66 cm) 26" (66 cm) 26" (66 cm)
Thickness 4.72" (12 cm) 5.9" (15 cm) 5.9" (15 cm) 5.9" (15 cm) 5.9" (15 cm)
Volume 170 litres 340 litres 300 litres 340 litres 340 litres
Rider Weight up to 155 lbs (70 kg) up to 285 lbs (130 kg) up to 240 lbs (110 kg) up to 265 lbs (120 kg) up to 265 lbs (120 kg)

 

Others - specific and specialized boards for specific pursuits

  2017 10'8 Activ 2017 8'10 The Whip 2017 Snapper 2017 Flow
Board 10'8" Activ 8'10" The Whip 9'4" Snapper 9'6" Flow
Who's it for? yoga, pilates and fitness fans surfers young riders white water racers
Length 10'8" 8'10" 9'4" 9'6"
Width 34" (86.3 cm) 29" (74 cm) 27" (68.6 cm) 34" (86.4 cm)
Thickness 5.9" (15 cm) 3.93" (10 cm) 3.93" (10 cm) 5.9" (15 cm)
Volume 279 litres 150 litres 170 litres 300 litres
Rider Weight up to 265 lbs (120 kg) up to 200 lbs (90 kg) up to 132 lbs (60 kg) up to 265 lbs (120 kg)
  2017 10'7 WindSUP 2017 10'7 SurfSUP
Board 10'7" WindSUP 10'7" WindSurf
Who's it for? wind surfers serious wind surfers
Length 10'7" 10'7"
Width 33" (83.8 cm) 33" (83.8 cm)
Thickness 4.7" (12 cm) 4.7" (12 cm)
Volume 296 litres 296 litres
Rider Weight up to 265 lbs (120 kg) up to 265 lbs (120 kg)

 

Group Boards - more people the merrier

  2017 Ride L 2017 Ride XL 2017 22' Dragon
Board 14'0 Ride L 17'0 Ride XL 22' Dragon
Who's it for? family/group family/group group racing
Length 14'0" 17'0" 22'0"
Width 47" (11.94 cm) 60" (15.24 cm) 34" (86.3 cm)
Thickness 8" (20 cm) 8" (20 cm) 8" (20 cm)
Volume 816 litres 1298 litres 984 litres
Rider Weight up to 4 riders up to 8 riders up to 4 riders

 

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