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Inflatable SUP, Advanced Elements, Hula 11

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Inflatable SUP, Advanced Elements, Hula 11

Posted on 06 August 2011 by suprider

Easy to carry,  Easy to use, Fun to paddle, – A great SUP package!

Girls paddling

A family riding the Hula 11 at Castle Lake, near Shasta

At Sup The Bay, we like to race and surf SUPs, in other words we often ride pretty radical boards made of carbon or fiber glass. So testing and paddling an Inflatable SUP is far from the usual for us. Advance Elements sent us the Hula 11 for review about 8 weeks ago. Since then we have tested the Hula in various conditions, lake, small rivers and the San Francisco Bay. The Hula 11 is offered in a very complete package,  it includes: Pump with Pressure Gauge, Hi-Quality Duffel Bag, Repair Kit, Valve Adaptor, 3 Removable Tracking Fins. The price of the Hula 11 is between $700 and $799 depending on the configuration(extra seat, sail,  paddle).

Advance elements package

Hula 11 package, bag, pump, board, fins, duffel bag

One of the great thing about the Hula 11 Inflatable SUP is that it can fit in the trunk or on the backseat of vehicle, or even on the rack of a bicycle, or motorcycle. It is easy and fast to inflate, it takes only about 3-5′ and to insert the fins. This is barely more time than unstrapping a board from the roof of a car.

The Hula 11 is stable and surprisingly fast,  it is a fun board to paddle. The Hula 11 can be used as on flat water. When paddling at Castle Lake,  I did multiple laps around the lake and I didn’t notice much difference with a fiberglass SUP. Obviously no need to worry about hitting rocks, branches or docks thanks to heavy-duty PVC. The Hula 11 Inflatable SUP is made of High-Pressure Drop-Stitched material and a double layer of heavy duty PVC Tarpaulin for ultra stiff performance and superior durability. The deck of the board features a large foam traction pad and 7 d-rings for gear tie down, optional kayak seat attachment, and leash attachment.

We specifically liked the D-rings that make it easy to tie-down a bag, fire wood or a strap. The Utility of the board is excellent. The traction pad is very good and while we didn’t try the board surfing, we tried it on the river and it felt very good to have a sure footing. In addition the D-rings are great for attaching a cam-strap and that is very practical when paddling down a creek or for a little one to have something to hold on to.

6 D-rings on the bow

Advance elements close up

D-ring close-up

inflatable sup Hula 11

Traction foam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Hula 11 is a must own if want to paddle in a variety of situations, river, lake, mer, some surfing. It is easy to haul around and also no need to worry about durability like a fiber glass board. The Hula 11 is great for families, since the board can be handled by children without worrying about them damaging it. Also on lake or pool the Hula 11 can be used as swimming platform… Also if you are planning to only paddle 10-15 times a year, then the Hula 11 is a board for you.

hooks / straps

little feet under straps

inflatable 11 Hula bottom

bottom and fins

Features

High-Pressure Drop-Stiched material allows for ultra stiff performance.
- Double-Action hand pump with Gauge included.
- Raised board tip increases performance.
- Large traction foam area for improved grip and comfort.
- Double layer outer skin for superior durability.
- Light-weight, Compact, and Durable.
- Hi-Quality Duffel Bag.
- Stainless steel D-rings – 7 total.

Specifications

Model AE1010
Color White/Orange
Length 11’
Width 30”
Weight 23 Lbs. (10 Kg)
Person/S 1
Max.
Weight 250 Lbs. (113 Kg)
Folded Size 19” X 9” X 34”

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Testing boards, paddles, fins, and hydration system

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Testing boards, paddles, fins, and hydration system

Posted on 06 April 2011 by suprider

Reviewing the Tahoe SUP

Hunter moving the expedition

In the next few weeks the SUP THE BAY team will be testing and reviewing all the SUP gear one can imagine. Over the last few months we have been talking to the best boards, and paddles makers in the industry. We will be reviewing beginner boards, touring boards, race boards, surf boards.  Our reviews will evaluate various aspects from stability (flat water, chop, swell), speed, tracking…
Stay posted to find out more about:
• the new Tahoe SUP boards
• the innovative Imagine SUPs
• Boga’s surf boards
• M&M race boards
• Riviera’s race boards
• C4 boards
• Camelbak hydration system

and many more…

SUP in Bay Area

Bark 12.6"

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