Tip to tail – RRD LongSUP 9’8” x 30” x 143L 2018 SUP review

RRD enter the longboard SUP surfing arena proper with their 2018 LongSUP nose rider, which we couldn’t wait to get wet. As fans of this style of board, due to it giving a wider breadth of accessibility to layman paddle surfers, RRD’s LongSUP is aesthetically pleasing with top quality craftsmanship on show. What you’d expect from the Italian brand basically.

Coming with a fairly flat deck, dipping to quickly thinning rails, a spooned out nose and thruster 2+1 fin configuration we were intrigued as to how it would feel on a wave. Over to Tony for more.

When I first saw RRD’s LongSUP 9’8” my initial reaction was wow! The look of it alone would have me reaching for my credit card. I like the longboard shape which is proper classic.

Having paddled it across a variety of different conditions I was really struck by the LongSUP’s stability. I was able to paddle it without issue, even when water became cruddy. Glide is good, the LS slicing through the water with ease. On a wave this translates to easy pick ups with plenty of speed on tap as you head for the bottom turn.

Carving in progressive fashion it’s easy to initiate moves, even standing quite far forwards of the tail. As such intermediate SUP surfers will get on with it and be able to develop their technique further. For anyone with higher skill it’s reactive and with back foot above the fins chucking spray is fulfilling. On the dribblers I found it was nippy enough to make mush burger riding interesting therefore a board to increase the amount of ridable days you get.

Conclusion

RRD’s LongSUP 9’8” is clearly a performance board. Yet it’s perfectly applicable to progressing riders who want a stylish surf SUP that they can get to grips with instantly. Yet it possesses plenty of room for growth and pushing on with skills moving forwards. Distinctive with its looks and top notch construction it’s a desirable board any wave head would be happy to own. Step it up in the nose riding arena, which becomes accessible with the LongSUP 9’8”, or ride in a more performance orientated manner – especially when swapping out the larger, supplied central fin. Proper tail led carves are possible with a decent amount of vertical lip hit performance chucked in for good measure. A board to partner with smaller sticks or use a stand alone sled for classic longboard style riding.

Price: £1709

Info: http://www.robertoriccidesigns.com/