RED AIR RENTAL EQUIPMENT

There are four different models of Red Air available. Each board comes with a purpose-designed pump which allows the board to be inflated quickly and without too much effort. (You can inflate them fully in about 4 minutes, but if that sounds like too much effort, grab yourself the optional 12v compressor (see accessories).) There is also a repair kit, and a rucksack for carrying it all in.

• Red Air 11
• Red Air 10'6
• Red Air 10
• red Air 9'4

The cruiser in the Red Air range. Stable, speedy and with lots of volume. If you're 95kg or less and wanting a board for cruising and exploring, then this is the one to go for. With its flat rocker and long waterline it's very good in chop, and fast and comfortable in a straight line. Good also for two-up tandem cruising! Cruising: The fastest and most directional Red Air Surfing: Too flat to really shine in this department Weight-Carrying: Pretty good, as high volume throughout length Length: 11' (335cm) Width: 29.5" (75cm)

At 32" wide this is the most stable inflatable SUP on the market! With a decent quantity of preshaped rocker, it's great fun in the waves but is directional enough to be a comfortable cruiser too in most conditions. For the heavier rider or anyone wanting an easy life this is definitely the one to go for. Cruising: Huge width for an easy ride! Surfing: You can catch anything on this!! Weight-Carrying: The most stable inflatable SUP in the world! Length: 10'6 (320cm) Width: 29.5" (75cm)

The all-rounder in the Red Air range for the lighter user. With quite a lot of preshaped rocker, the 10' is great fun in the waves but is still directional enough to be a decent cruiser too, in anything other than strong upwind battles. A popular all-rounder with lighter riders as it feels more lively and responsive underfoot than the 10'6 or 11' Cruising: Comfortable cruising performance Surfing: Enough rocker to be throwabout and fun Weight-Carrying: Best suited to the sub 80kg ricer Length: 10' (305cm) Width: 29.5" (75cm)

The ripper in the Red Air range. Short and throwabout, yet stiff and enough width to give plenty of stability for anyone under 80kg. Lots of preshaped rocker gives a nice high nose for great surfing performance but it's directional enough to be easy to catch waves. Indeed, it's a fun mal-style surfboard in its own right - and/or a great all-rounder for kids!! Cruising: Ok for lighter folk in flat conditions Surfing: A whole lot of fun - nice for normal surfing too!!! Weight-Carrying: Surfing only for adults, but a great all-rounder for kids! Length: 9'4 (285cm) Width: 29.5" (75cm)

The boards also have some extra configuration, above and beyond what comes on the board as standard. Each also includes an extra fixing point on the bow, so that the board can be tied behind a boat, and the larger sizes also include extra fixing points on the bow and stern, for carrying extra cargo.

For more info on the Red Air range (and purchasing), including videos, check out the full spec on the paddlecompany.co.nz website

The 3 piece SUP paddle features a smooth-finished, warm-to-the-touch fiberglass shaft, and a nylon blade that delivers easily accessible power. The length adjustment offers 5 position options, each 10cm apart, and uses a double spring clip system to lock the handle section in at the required length. The parts are carefully machined so they fit together beautifully, and thanks to the cunningly engineered connection system there is no wobble or significant loss of stiffness at either of the joins, even when the paddle is at its longest extension.

Each board also comes with

a 6'6 leash, for general use as and when required, and perfectly OK for small/medium sized surf.
(If you want to do full toes-to-the-nose riding, you'll need a longer leash.)

A pair of handles, one for each end. This makes the boards significantly
easier to pull out of the water or to carry, when necessary.

Fixing points on bow or stern (on the 11 and 10'6) for carrying cargo/luggage.

Small dry bag for phone/keys etc, which can be clipped onto your belt or one of the deck fixings. (The bags are not guaranteed dry, but do a pretty good job. However, items like phones, cameras etc are best stored within another polybag to ensure no moisture damage.)

There are also the following extra options:

12v Air Compressor Pump: If you can't be bothered with pumping your board up then let this compressor do the work! A great thing to have in your motorhome anyway for any long journeys, as it'll do your tyres too, and any other inflatable accessories you may have. This is a high quality, heavy duty bit of kit, capable of passing 150L/minute at up to 150psi. It takes 6-7 minutes to fully inflate even the biggest Red Air.

For more information on the pump check out the product pages on the NZ Paddle Company website

Paddleboard Wetsuits: Normal wetsuits aren't much cop for extended paddleboarding, as they can end up chafing around the arms and can really cramp your style. These long john wetsuits are made to our own design to give maximum convenience and freedom of movement for paddleboarding, while still keeping you warm whilst out there on (and in) the water. To increase their use for more prolonged immersion, simply wear with a thermal rashie.