AZTRON EUROPA 12’6 TEST REVIEW
Verdict
The Europa is a real all-water board for proper open water and ocean touring. It’s performance lies in its ideal touring template blended with the serious ocean going nose and recessed deck. This Europa is the way to go whether you’ve got a once-in-a-lifetime multi-pitch tour planned, or you just want to get into some rough stuff around your local coast. We loved it.
Overview
Straight out of the bag the Europa looks beautiful. Timeless bamboo and pleasing graphics complement its classic, sleek tourer outline. The full, piercing nose flows into a moderate deck recess with broad standing area. The tail is squared off and tapered in side profile.
On deck, there are front and rear action camera mounts, forward bungee and segmented EVA deck pad, and integrated air vent plug. This is a beautiful board that carries a sense of purpose.
Brand Claim
Blend in with nature on the all-new EUROPA Bamboo SUP. Incorporating the light and versatile characteristics of the natural bamboo material and making a board that maximizes stability and glide. The EUROPA is for all skill level riders who wish to venture further on longer journeys. The stretched outline gives maximum distance and tracking with minimum effort.
Performance
We took the Europa on a series of 20km plus tours. On a fast ice-flat estuary run, the board immediately felt light and smooth on the water. It cut beautifully through glass revealing an ideal rocker line and volume distribution. With a good ‘zone 2’ pace for the duration, the board never felt like it was dragging or pushing water.
On more exposed open water, the Europa showed it can easily take Cornish seas in its stride. Loaded with kit for two people, it just prowls through lumps. The water breaks on the full nose and the board keeps momentum.
At 12’6 x 28.5”, the Europa sits on our personal sweet spot for an all-water touring and guiding board. It’s got the speed to get you out of trouble and to eat up long sections. It’s seaworthy to take on anything you’re going to want to get into on a serious tour.
Aztron have nailed it with the Europa. This is a beautiful board with a tough bamboo epoxy sandwich construction. We’ve no double it would thrive on many years of real touring and still paddle great. It is also an excellent SUP tour guide board. If your paddling career so far has been strictly inflatable, you owe it to yourself to try this board.
AZTRON I RIDE INTELLIGENTLY (aztronsports.com)
AZTRON EUROPA 12’6 TEST REVIEW
Vital Stats
Price: £1199
Length: 12’6″
Width: 28.5″
Thickness: 7.5″
Weight: 14.4 kg
Volume: 270 L
Fin: Nylon US Centre
45-95 kg / 99-209 lbs 115 kg / 253 lbs
