Sprint finish – Starboard Sprint Unlimited 17.5ft review

www.star-board-sup.com

Starboard describe the Sprint 17.5ft x 23” as: ‘the fastest stand up paddle board in the world ever’ – some statement! While we had no scientific way to verify this we certainly agree it’s a superb gliding machine and feels super quick when in full flight – IF you can stabilise and maintain forward thrust.

With stated dims (L – 17.5ft, W – 23”, Tail W – 14.3”, V – 217L) you’re already under no illusion that it will take effort and concentration to drive this beast – even before stepping aboard. Then you spot the javelin-like shape, with almost no width in the tail or nose – two areas of a board that can help with stability even with narrow measurements involved. That said we still witnessed a paddler with no prior race board experience step aboard and take off unhindered. And to boot the chap in question is heavier than Starboard’s quoted max weight capacity (85kg). Sometimes self-belief and confidence are the only things required. Granted the water was super flat, but still…

When water states become choppier it’s a whole different ball game but no less a rewarding one. The Sprint is effortless cutting into chop and back downwind experienced SUPers will relish the prospect of catching a

few challenging glides. Across flat water the Sprint is simply sublime. Legs will be working overtime to maintain accurate trim but it’s a

SUP that encourages the rider to dig deep, scoop faster and really get the heart rate up.

At the end of your Sprint Unlimited sesh you’ll definitely feel like you’ve had a workout.

Onlookers standing shore side all commented how efficiently the Sprint knifes through the water and during testing there was simply no other board that came close.

Not only is the Starboard Sprint Unlimited 17.5ft a rewarding and scientific board to paddle it’s also manufactured amazingly and finished to an incredibly high standard. Starboard have always run with the moniker: Innovation and Quality. The Sprint sure lives up to this with a good deal of emphasis placed on both areas.

Deck placed drainage holes allow excess water that collects in the scooped out deck to escape, and therefore not add any excess weight to the board which could impede progress. The brushed custom carbon sandwich construction is super high end and looks fantastic. Deck pads are grippy but also optimised to not add further weight and the 24cm race fin is the board’s perfect match – every conceivable detail of the Sprint has been managed to eek out as much speed as possible at no compromise.

We’ll be honest: buoy turns – in fact simply turning the Sprint – is a ‘mare and has to be handled carefully if you don’t want to take a dunking. If you do end up in the drink then it’s actually not as easy as some SUPs to get back on board. The Sprint’s instability at rest and drop deck/high gunnels are tricky to navigate – there’s a technique to getting back on top without falling again, but give it time and you’ll get there.

Conclusion

The Starboard Sprint Unlimited 17.5ft is truly an amazing board and one that literally flies across the brine. More akin to a surfski It is, however, a specialist tool designed with specific riders and conditions in mind (and pricey to boot). If you’re likely to be racing atop mirror glass water, and have a high level of paddling skill, then this is your sled. If your area is littered with chop, wind and general flotsam then we’d suggest looking at something else within Starboard’s range. A board can be fast but if the rider is constantly in the drink then what’s the point? That said if you fancy taking on a challenge and fully engaging yourself every time you go afloat the Sprint Unlimited could also be the SUP toy for you.

Fantastic production quality, attention to detail and an approach to design that has to be commended, Starboard have created a superior race SUP in the form of the Sprint Unlimted that really has to be paddled to be believed.

Price: £2,225.00

Info: www.star-board-sup.com/2015/products/sprint-unlimited-17-6×23/