LOCO GUPPY 9’0 TEST REVIEW
Verdict
The Guppy is an unrepentant summer-time slayer. One look at the curving rails and double-hipped swallow tail tells everything. There’s no messing around with nuances here, the Guppy comes to show up and blow up! However, its friendly nature would make it an excellent all-round surf SUP for a paddler getting into surfing. Loco are on the money with their hardboard surf SUPs and especially the Guppy; performance, durability, sharp style and inflation-busting prices.
Overview
The Guppy is unmistakably a fish-shape surfboard. Many small shaping cues add up to one big advantage: to make lacklustre conditions shine. The Guppy template features plenty of forward width, a double-hipped swallow tail, and a parabolic rail outline. Side on, the deck is flat but the bottom carries a decent rocker with nice lift at the tail. Underneath, shallow double concaves flow into a Vee at the tail. The Guppy has five fin boxes – one US centre plus four FCS style. Supplied with five fins, you have many options to play with. Finally, a mast track gives you wind-SUP compatibility.
Brand Claim
Loco Guppy Stand Up Paddle Board has been developed with smaller to medium-sized waves in mind. The shape takes its inspiration from the ever-popular fish surfboard but we’ve optimised the rocker and hull dynamics so it lends itself better to being paddled stood up. We’ve also added a double winger so that the tail isn’t excessively wide and tried to keep rail thickness to a minimum for performance carving. As with most of our hard SUP range the Guppy comes with a full mast track for windsurfing offering ultimate versatility.
Performance
The Guppy is available in fibreglass, wood or carbon construction. Our test model was in orange fibreglass. Like all Loco hard boards of this type it has a deep, lustrous finish to withstand a surfing life.
At 150 litres the 9’0 Guppy is for heavier paddle surfers. It has all the stability and travel you need for easy operating in summery on shore winds. The Guppy feels light and chips in effortlessly, so you get a nice early entry to the wave. Next, you’ve got options. Will you pump, cutback, or re-entry this eager board? The lively Guppy is ready for anything. It turns great out of flat mushy sections and will quickly sprint through a sucky inside bowl before projecting up onto the lip.
Yes, the Guppy is a real dancer, especially in quad set up. Run it two-plus-one when swells pick up and you’ll find that swallow tail has plenty of grip.
Home – SUP, Surf & Kite Boards from UK Brand Loco (locosurfing.com)
LOCO GUPPY 9’0 TEST REVIEW
Vital Stats
Price: RRP £1099 including bag, fins and leash
Length: 9’0
Width: 32”
Thickness: 4.5”
Volume: 150 litres
Fins: 1 x 9.25” centre, 2 x 4.75”, 2 x 4.75”