******
- Verified Buyer
The Heyboard iSUP whose dimensions put it right up against the similarly-sized DvSport Sunshine and makes it more advanced than the popular Runwave Kohala. In other words, it should appeal to both beginners and those more experienced/transitioning to the intermediate level.WHY NOT RENT?The typical rental fee for a SUP in our area ran for $30/person for two hours. So, doing the math for an inflatable SUP at $300, that would equate to 10 rentals for up to 20 hours of use. It made sense for us to purchase one instead to save in the long run.What makes the Heyboard a great beginner/intermediate paddle board? Are epoxy (solid) SUPs more durable than inflatable ones? As it turned out, no. See the Pros and Cons for more details.PROS- Very lightweight: 18.5 lbs-- Light enough to be carried to remote wilderness locations- Minimalistic graphic design- Less expensive than hard boards- Fast to deploy/inflate-- First time, an iSUP took me 20 minutes reading instructions and looking for the parts-- Subsequent times took roughly 9-11 minutes to get paddle-ready-- Consider using an electric pump for faster deployment. See TIPS section for more- Compact and portable-- Folds away easily to the size of a sleeping bag--- Simply deflate, remove specific parts, protect the fins, and roll away-- Takes up less space than hard boards-- Can fit in a smaller car, is easier to carry around, and can be checked in on an airplane (and helps save on rental fees)- Carry handle at center of board for one-handed transport- More durable than hard boards as they won’t scratch or ding when dropped, making them a bit more suitable for rocky, wild adventures-- This did not initially make sense: why would an INFLATABLE be more durable than a HARD board?--- Hard boards are more prone to cracking, scratches, and appearance of holes that require immediate fixing. Who knew?- Causes less injuries than hard boardsInflatable SUPs are more durable than hard boards as they won’t scratch or ding when dropped, making them a bit more suitable for rocky, wild adventures- D-Rings already affixed to help turn it into a kayak with an included seat for one. Add another seat for two (for tandem kayaking)- Excellent board for beginners and leisure paddling, though its shorter length and more narrow width makes it slightly more nimble and advanced than the Runwave Kohala-- Good transition board for more skilled beginners-- Inflatables cause less fatigue- Bungee tie down at front to hold gear (ie. water bottle, lunch, jacket, sunblock)- Excellent stability aided by its 6" inflated thickness, 32" width, 10'6" length-- Volume was not provided. To get an estimate, take about 24% off the dimensions to account for the irregular shape: 304L-- More narrow width, shorter length makes it more nimble than the Runwave-- Extra volume adds more stability and weight support over hard boards--- Supports up to 300 lbs, according to the manufacturer, though 330 lbs should be ok based on my experience with boards of similar size-- Its dimensions make the board perfect for recreational, beginner/intermediate paddling- Can be used for surfing on small waves, though it will not be very nimble because of its large size- Based on my research, inflatables can last 10 years or more, depending on maintenance, storage environment, and other factors- Back foam has a bump for better seated comfort- Multiple accessories included-- Carry bag/Backpack-- Manual pump-- 3 fins (1 removable)-- 3-part, floating, length-adjustable aluminum paddle-- Safety leash with key compartment-- Repair kit-- Waterproof bag for cellphoneCONS- Takes time to inflate or deflate-- Hard boards are ready to go and require little to no preparation-- Took 12-16 minutes to deflate, clean up, roll up, and pack away- For some, the graphic design is too minimal- Requires a pump-- Inflating a paddleboard to 12-15 PSI (about 1 Bar) takes quite a workout- Does not perform as well or as fast as hard boards, making them not as good for racing competitions, though the performance gap between SUPs and iSUPs is narrowing- iSUP is puncture resistant, but not puncture-proofTIPSBOARD PREPARATION- Ensure the valve is clean and free of dust and debris- Inflate the Heyboard iSUP to between 12-15 PSI (15 PSI is best)-- Warning: Do NOT go over 15 PSI with this iSUP!-- If the board will be left in the hot sun, inflate to only 12-13 PSI, and let the heat increase the internal pressure-- In general, inflatable SUPs should be inflated to 15-17 PSI (no more than the rated max), even if the manufacturer states that it can go as high as 25 PSI- If using an electric pump, inflate to 10-12 PSI, and hand pump the rest to 15 PSI-- Do NOT use an air compressor as it could easily overinflate- Double-check board pressure before heading out-- Before first use, leave the board inflated for a day and see if it loses pressure. If it does, refer to the manual on how to find the leak-- Leaving board in the sun/heat can increase pressure, and in the cold can have pressure decreasedA safety leash is NECESSARY to help keep the board attached to you. Not having one could separate the board from you by the wind or stream, forcing you to swim all the way back to shore. A leash can SAVE YOUR LIFE!- You should always have a safety leash-- Attach ankle cuff to the less dominant leg and the other end to the loop at the tail of the board-- Keeps board close to you when you fall into the water, and prevents any waves or wind from moving it away- Do not drag paddle boards across the pavement as that can puncture and damage-- The board has a carry handle at the center. Lift board onto its side with the handle facing away from you (bottom of board faces you), and grab the handle to lift the iSUP off the groundCHOOSING A BOARDThe following are general guidelines on how to select the right board. I am not a professional SUP rider and suggest you visit a paddle board shop for advice appropriate to you.- The wider a board, the more stability is added (useful for beginners or tandem riders) but harder to paddle-- 31" and wider are perfect for beginners and tandem riders-- 30" or narrower, due to less drag on the board, increase mobility and speed, suitable for surfing- The longer a board, like snowboards, the more streamlined it is to cover distance-- 12′ and longer are designed for racing-- 9′ – 11′ are great for recreation-- 9′ or less are intended for surfing due to more nimble mobility- The thicker a board, the heavier of a rider it could carry-- 5" or thicker are best-- 4" are perfect for children and light paddlersIt is better to be too light than too heavy for a board- The higher volume of a board (measured in Liters), the more weight and height of a rider it can accommodate due to increased buoyancy, and be more stable-- Choose a board that is at or below the suggested weight limit--- Going above the weight capacity can introduce a sinking drag and be harder to paddle on--- Take into consideration---- Overall weight, including any food, water, gear, and companions---- Your skill level and age---- Water environment and activity type-- Check out a SUP Volume Calculator (1 kg = 2.2 lbs)--- Not all boards with the same volume are the same. Their concavity and overall shape, among other factors, affect a board’s performance--- Beginners: Total weight x (1.1 to 1.4)---- If you are 170 lbs and plan to bring a 50 lb child with 10 lbs of food and water, total weight is 230 lbs. Volume should be between 253L – 322L--- Intermediate or Advanced: Total weight x (0.9 to 1.1)-- 200L and up are generally great for recreation and beginnersKeep in mind that after a few times of paddling, you may find yourself quickly advancing in your abilities. My personal recommendation with anything I do is to always get something that is at least a notch above my current skill level.CONCLUSIONThe Heyboard with its wide and shorter form factor makes for a very stable, beginner-friendly inflatable that is just advanced enough for the person looking to transition into intermediate level. Its approximate volume of 304L, 6" thickness, and 300 lb maximum weight-capacity could accommodate two adults, but be sure the board is fully inflated so a flex or sink would not hinder paddling efficiency. Like all the other iSUPs and hard SUPs I had used last year, paddling around in the water had provided a great amount of joy, memories, and much-needed exercise. My son went from someone being fearful of water to wanting to go out with me every time, even agreeing to learn how to jump into the ocean and flipping himself to safely float with a life vest.My favorite had been the DvSport Sunshine iSUP for its streamlined performance, but this Heyboard is right up there with it.Purchasing an inflatable stand up paddle board was an eye opener and money saver over rental fees. It very much was more stable, VERY lightweight, and easier to stand on for longer periods of time than hard boards, but I also felt more pride taking care of something that was mine. Inflatables not only take up less garage space, but they are also more compact to transport in a car’s trunk.I was incredibly surprised with the quality of the Heyboard. This was my first iSUP (inflatable stand up paddle board) and I think I made a great first choice. I wanted something that was light weight, wide, and less than 11 feet long. This checked all those boxes. I also wanted something that had at least one set of d-rings with cord already on it, as well as extra d-rings along the body.This has both of those requirements as well. I plan on using this as a fishing iSUP in the future, and the d-rings will allow for attaching crates, coolers, seats. etc. This kit really does come with everything you need to get out on the water. I will break down all the accessories my board came with below.Board: The board itself is a super solid construction. I didn't notice ANY issues with seams, no peeling or discoloration. Very well crafted board. I love that it has a super large non-slip bad that runs nearly the entire length of the board. This will be great for my two pups that have decided they want to be "sup pups" in the future! And with a board weight of only 18lbs, but still having a limit of 300lbs, there is plenty of room to take them with me! The carry handle in the middle of the board has a very nice, soft, neoprene covering on it to make carrying your board more comfortable. I'm only about 5'6" and I had NO issue picking up the board from the handle and carrying it. The board also comes with a very nice 10ft coiled leash for the board. The great thing about the leash is it is very soft on the skin, and has the ability to rotate on a pivot point. This is great for keeping the leash from getting twisted around on itself and getting shorter and shorter.Paddle: The paddle is actually a really nice beginner paddle. Lightweight, not overly flexy when using it, and it breaks down into 3 pieces for easy transport. The handle of the paddle is curved to fit your hand as well, which was, again, surprising but very comfortable to hold.Pump: The pump is a decent pump. Single action, so it will only inflate on the "down" stroke, but it still only took me about 6-7 minutes to get the board to over 12psi. The hose DID leak a little at first, but I realized I didn't put the rubber gasket on the pump hose. Once I did, no more leaks when inflating.Overall: This is honestly a great board, especially for beginners like me. It's very wide, very stable thanks to the 2 fixed fins and the removable center fin. Tracks very straight, even in windy conditions like I was in on my first trip. Everything fits very well in the carry case / backpack. There are even two straps included in the bag. One is to wrap around the board to keep it compact, the other is attached to the bag and keeps everything inside from shifting around on you when in transit. IF I could change anything, I would like to have a dual action pump to speed up the inflating process. If you think you might have issues, you could always get an electric pump. I really enjoyed the first trip out on my Heyboard and cannot wait to use it more and more! I highly recommend this board to anyone on a budget that wants to get outside and try a new hobby!I'm really surprised with this SUP's toughness. Been using it for a couple of days now and it's good as a non inflatable one, with the advantage you can transport it inside the included bag.I definitely like this paddleboard. Easy to inflate, easy to carrier after its been inflated. Floats and moves smoothly, definitely good first beginner paddleboard. Would recommendThis is going to be long so bear with me.I picked this brand specifically because of the length, items included and weight capacity.Initially, I thought the guage on the pump was broken but you really need to get the board firm to get the guage to read.I love that everything fits into the backpack and I was able to stuff my life vest in there as well.Set up takes 10 minutes tops, the longest part being filling with air, but that's expected. The board is firm, lightweight and easy to carry from the car to the water. I truly believe that this board is perfect for beginners, as it has a large, padded, standing area, and the length absorbs waves very well. The board has the capability to have a chair attachment, and a spot for a cooler to be held.10/10 boardUPDATE TO MY REVIEW: I have only used once and noticed the writing on the side has started to come off! Its like once its folded away and gets creased the writing starts to crack, what a shame. I would reduce my rating to a 3 now because I literally only used it once on a canal and cleaned and stored properly afterwards. (Pic in garden was when I first took it out and set up, other pics are after its first use)Absolutely love this paddleboard! I got the pink one as that's my favourite colour. It comes with everything you need to get started, ie. Pump, fin, leash and even a waterproof phone case! Really sturdy and so decent for the price! My only gripe is that the deck is white which looks classy but it's so hard to keep clean, especially if you are on canals and have to get onto the board from a muddy bank. If I re-designed this i would say make the deck pink since it's such a large space and then the rest white. Apart from that I love it! Thanks Heyboard!I was cautious about buying this as it was cheaper than equivalent SUPs I could find. However, this came well packaged and all parts seem of good quality. I have inflated and deflated twice now and it seems great. Only time will tell how long it will last, but for now this is exactly what I wanted. Would definitely suit a beginner as I am myself. Would recommend purchasing to friends.As nice as any of my friends more expensive boards. Well made and the seams seem strong. Bag is ok. Pump is ok.. but ok. Good valuePaddleboard arrived in one day well packed simple instructions lightweight everything fits into the holdall rucksack plus room for other things so you can carry everything in one goAmazing colour and its massive! Highly recommend!
