@thejohnbreen Beltpack PFDs are great, and do away with all those issues of discomfort, chafe etc. However, they’re only for competent swimmers, and if you decide to get one of these for yourself, you really need to learn how to operate it before you end up needing it in an emergency. Practice at home opening it, donning it and inflating it orally (you don’t need to trigger the CO2 canister), so that in an emergency you’re entirely comfortable with using it, whether or not it inflates automatically when you pull the toggle. It's because they don't actually give you any flotation until you specifically choose to make them into a flotation device (and then it takes several actions to achieve), that we generally don’t recommend beltpacks for beginners. You’re best off having that extra comfort and security from knowing that your buoyancy is always there, automatically working for you every time you fall in. However, if you do fully understand how to use them, then for sure they're a great option.

@MichaelLatimer-sz5pp great question! So, short answer - yes. Go for the manufacturers recommended pressure when you're on the water. That's where it matters. Generally, when the board is on the water there won't be much/any expansion factor happening, the water keeps the board cool. It's when it's on the beach that it can get cooked in the sun and the air inside heats up and expands. However, the reality is that even if the board is super hot, the air pressure inside only expands by a couple of psi, absolute max. It is not this extra pressure that will damage your board, it's the result of the direct sunlight on the seams of the board, cooking the glue within. The best advice is to keep the board out of the sun as much as possible when its onshore.

@user-om3qq1pq6f that's exactly right!! Well done, you got it. Hopefully you'll find that really helps.

I have one of those $1K ISUPs and might be able to help with this one. Here's a list of missing specs off the top of my head Triple layer pvc construction. Triple layer railing. Fused railing. Cross stitch construction. Universal finbox. The grip pad isn't very grippy (some would prefer this though) Art (subjective, but look up Sea Gods ISUPs as an example) With that said, they sell this thing for $200 right now and it does seem like quite the deal. It does have the following notable specs: D rings all up the sides and tips. Bungee cording. Action mount. Dual layer pvc construction. Think of it this way, this board is way better than the Costco isup priced at $400. The only thing really missing is they don't sell it with a bag anymore (to bring the price down)

@@workappropriate3024 Hey! Thanks a bunch for the detailed reply, that's really helpful. Based on the reviews, I purchased two Nauticals. So far, I have no issues with performance but I'm a newb and second I'd describe myself as "casual-enthusiast" user. But I can see the benefit of a universal fin box. And I can understand the difference in construction, both for longevity and rigidity, the latter of which I reckon won't be an issue for me until I experience it. My Nauticals both came with bags. I've seen some Nauticals online and in reviews that differ from mine. Mine has a bunch of D-rings, bungies at both ends etc. Surface feature-wise they seem on par with higher end boards. Perhaps the others ones I've seen were earlier models? The thing I was really wondering is if all three lower priced boards are coming from the same Chinese factory and if so, are the Nauticals essentially the same thing but with more surface features. Or are they designed and built by/for iRocker. Thanks again for the reply! Happy paddling!

@jedison3414 great question. Short answer, yes. Get a board with plenty of width so that can stand up easily and quickly, and you actually need to spend very minimal time on your knees.

@carlphil450 I presume you're talking about twisting from the hips, the 'twist stroke'? That's certainly one way to paddle, and was very much where the SUP stroke started, because so many of the early converts to SUP racing came from a canoe or va'a background. However, since around 2015 there has been a shift away from that approach. Plenty of top paddlers eschew twist entirely, concentrating on getting all their power from compression or thrust. So it's definitely not a case that to be efficient and powerful, you HAVE to coil/uncoil the upper body. It's a technique that suits many paddlers, but absolutely isn't compulsory.

@Khaled_bass We really hope you enjoy your new board!

YOU ARE A TERRIBLE PERSON. MUCH WORSE.

@CrushGravel We have not had the opportunity to check the NRS boards out yet so can't give you any thoughts on them, unfortunately.

Okay, I now see that the 11'6" is no longer available from IRocker. I checked but didn't see a review of the 11' ULTRA2.0. Seems like it would be a good buy but curious to know your thoughts.