SiC Maui RS

How does the RS rate in our books

The nose has been thinned down, putting more volume in the deck area, underfoot and in the rails, which inevitably offers greater secondary stability and support when things get choppy.

The standing area has been dropped, which lowers the centre of gravity for the paddler, aiding again in stability, without forcing you into a dedicated dugout board layout, which many find tricky, especially in rougher water.

With a bit of volume in the tail, you get a lift as waves and chop come from behind, which is similar to the Infinity Blackfish.

The deck drains well if you get washed over, not as quick as some, but it does drain off.

The kickpad has been improved, offering a pronounced ridge that is really useful when you need to put some pressure down , or if you need to step back very purposefully.

As with all openwater sup race boards, you want to work on positioning on the board to get the best glide from it. Minor adjustments will adjust the trim of the board and with some time spent, you can soon find out how it works for you in different conditions.  That said, all of the boards work well, when you maintain a flatter waterline, so make sure you control the rhythm of your stroke and any bouncing you put into the board as you paddle that will increase drag.

If you’re interested in learning more about advanced paddling techniques and optimising performance, why not check out our advanced sup and paddleboarding lessons, in which we video analyse and tweak your body and stroke.