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 of the pad provide a comfortable surface that is perfect for SUP fitness as it’s easy on the hands and feet.
Located in the middle of the traction pad is a comfy carrying handle that makes it extremely easy to carry the board around when it’s fully pumped up…
At the nose of the board are 6 high-quality D-rings with an elastic bungee cord for on-board storage. We really like the larger size of this bungee storage area and it gives you plenty of room to stash a dry bag, backpack, Crocs, etc. Also located at the board’s nose is another D-ring for towing and a built-in Ram Mounts-compatible fitting for attaching a GoPro camera, cell phone, fishing rod, etc.
Located at the tail of the board is the inflation valve which is top-shelf. There’s also a very nice grab handle that features a final D-ring incorporated into the side for attaching a SUP leash.
On the board’s underside is a tri-fin setup featuring 3 small, non-removable fins. The fins are made of a flexible and super durable material that is unbreakable.
2018 Red Paddle Co 10'6" Ride SE Rating
- Construction
- Stability
- Features
- Versatility
- Speed
- Warranty
Specs
| LENGTH | 10'6" |
| WIDTH | 32" |
| THICKNESS | 4.7" |
| WEIGHT | 22 lbs |
| VOLUME | 240 L |
| MAX CAPACITY | 220 lbs |
| PRICE |  |
What’s Included
The Red Paddle 10’6″ Ride Special Edition model comes with a super high-quality wheeled SUP backpack. This year, Red Paddle upgraded the shoulder straps for additional comfort, and the bag features a foil lined interior to keep everything inside nice and cool.
Of course, you also get Red Paddle’s legendary Titan Pump — arguably the best manual SUP pump in the world. With a dual cylinder design that allows you to quickly and efficiently pump up your board with less effort, the Titan Pump will spoil you if you’re used to inflating boards with other hand pumps.
Red Paddle also includes a water resistant phone case that will keep your phone nice and dry while you’re out paddling. This is great if you enjoy bringing your cell phone along for pictures, videos, or to use your favorite SUP smartphone app.
Warranty
New for 2018, Red Paddle is now offering a full 2-year warranty on their entire lineup of inflatable SUPs. Previously, Red Paddle’s warranty offered 12 months of coverage, so we’re super excited to hear about this extension.
Where to Buy it + Red Paddle Promo Code
The 2018 Red Paddle Co 10’6″ Ride SE model is only available for a limited time, and it’s currently in stock and ready to ship at Pumped Up SUP. In addition to a FREE 3-piece paddle, FREE shipping, a FREE air pressure gauge, you’ll also get charged ZERO sales tax outside of Maryland.
Another great place to order the 10’6″ Ride Special Edition board from is Green Water Sports, who is also throwing in a FREE travel paddle, FREE shipping, and no sales tax unless you’re in Florida. You can also get a FREE Vamo SUP leash (valued at $30) by using the promotion code IBFREELEASH at checkout. To get the free SUP leash, you simply need to add the board to your cart, choose the leash you want from the available options in the drop down menu, and enter the code at the final checkout stage.
Final Thoughts
Red Paddle’s 10’6″ Ride is a proven winner that has enjoyed immense worldwide popularity since its introduction several years ago. The board’s versatile, all-around design, outstanding build quality, and off the charts fun factor really make this a perfect SUP for beginners, intermediate, and advanced paddlers.
We love the improvements and doubled warranty coverage that Red Paddle has introduced for 2018. We also like the attractive new design of the Ride series, and this purple 10’6″ Special Edition model really stands out from the crowd when it’s on the water.
If you’re looking for a high-quality, premium inflatable paddle board that looks great and is versatile enough to pretty much do it all, the Red Paddle 10’6″ Ride SE Special Edition is a fantastic choice. Keep in mind that there is limited stock of this model and it’s only available for a short time, so if this is a board that you’re really interested in, we’d recommend ordering it soon.
