New for 2018 is the Red Paddle Co 10’6″ Ride SE (Special Edition) model. This limited edition board has the exact same specs and features as the regular production Red Paddle 10’6″ Ride, but it comes in a striking new purple color that really stands out from the pack.
Billed as the most popular inflatable SUP in the world, the 10’6″ Ride is a versatile and stable board that continues to get better each year. In addition to offering this new 2018 Special Edition version, Red Paddle has also made some improvements to the board’s design, included accessory bundle, and warranty.
Red Paddle Co is well-known in the SUP world for their uncompromising commitment to top-shelf quality, standout customer service, and constant innovation. This is a company that is 100% focused on producing the best iSUPs around, and the diverse 2018 Red Paddle SUP range truly offers something for every type of paddler.
In this review, we’ll go over the specs, features, and construction of this board. We’ll also cover the improvements for this year’s model and tell you where to buy it if you’re looking for the best price.
2018 Red Paddle 10’6″ Ride SE: Board Overview
As mentioned, the 10’6″ Ride Special Edition board features the exact same specs as the company’s regular production model. The measurements of this board are 10’6″ x 32″ x 4.7″ with a total weight of 22 pounds. In the water, the 10’6″ Ride is a stable board that is easy to paddle and well-suited for a wide variety of paddling activities and conditions.
Construction
Unlike other SUP companies that outsource their board production to shared manufacturing facilities, Red Paddle maintains private, in-house production facilities in order to closely control every step of the manufacturing process. Using a proprietary system of board production that the company refers to as “Tec Air”, Red Paddle is constantly refining their boards with improved materials, technology, and construction processes.
Red Paddle’s purple 10’6″ Ride Special Edition board is constructed with the company’s patented MSL Fusion (Monocoque Structural Laminate) construction technology which essentially results in a lighter board that is stiffer, more durable, and better-looking cosmetically. By eliminating the potential for human error through the use of a streamlined production process and specialized machinery, Red Paddle has been able to dramatically improve the consistency of their production model.
The overall build quality and extreme attention to detail on this board is impressive, and you can immediately see the difference between a Red Paddle SUP and the plethora of low-quality boards that are currently flooding the market.
Features
The top of the 2018 10’6″ Ride SE is covered by an extremely nice deck pad which incorporates two different traction patterns. The middle and front portions of the traction pad feature a smoother grip pattern that is embossed with the “Red” logo, while the back portion of the pad has a diamond pattern for increased grip. The diamond pattern at the rear of the traction pad really comes in handy when performing step back pivot turns or spending time in the surf, and the smoother areas