RRD AIRSUP V2 9’4 TEST REPORT
9’4 x 32 x 4 ¾ / 160L
Introducing the Airsup V2
The Airsup V2 occupies the easy access all-round mass-appeal sector of the RRD line up. An inflatable board, RRD appear to have looked back to traditional construction methods to add a futuristic development to the line: stiffening the board by way of a central stringer rather than focusing on adding stiffness at the rails. They’ve achieved this with no extra parts or steps required – a thick Dyneema belt encircles the entire board from tip to tail adding an extra 30% rigidity. If you’ve not experienced Dyneema before, one of its original uses was for strapping cargo onto ships, it’s an incredibly tough polymer, and will probably be the last substance left on earth after the Armageddon. This is a striking looking board. The graphics are actually overlayed PVC sections rather than just print, and an extra layer of thickness runs around the rails. Underneath you get a regular fin box and a tow ring at the front. You get a simple rucksack with a full front zip opening so the primary frustration of inflatable boards – packing them away – is mercifully avoided. You don’t need to go crazy with the pump, 15 psi is all you’ll need, sparing you those painful top up pump strokes. We took the Airsup V2 out on one of our club paddle evenings in the moderately textured waters of high tide Little Fistral to see how it coped with some open water action under paddlers of varying sizes and experience levels.
Brand Claim
RRD are upfront that the Airsup is the most wanted board in their collection. They say it is a super friendly all round board that glides smoothly in flat water and glides effortlessly in small surf. It continues: ‘The rocker and scoop line (presumably enabled by the Dyneema belt) together with the perfect fin placement allows for a greater experience of pleasure in a variety of conditions’. What exactly does a great experience of pleasure mean? We wondered.
Performance
Immediately the Airsup felt responsive and lively as it danced around on the undulating surface. It’s plenty stable enough for first timers to get some success, but there’s a lightness to the handling that makes it very easy to turn and get going. The first thing our paddlers noticed was how easy it was to control as they steered it around rocks and each other. Stepping back into a kick turn you can appreciate the extra composure from that Dyneema belt and the firmness under your feet. We caught a few little rides with the Airsup and it cruises in happily enough when you’re stepped back onto the tail, but naturally you wouldn’t expect to be performing swooping bottom turns with it. This is a board that’s made for fun and recreation on the water. It compels you to ‘try stuff’ with it. The EVA deck grip is generous, and the leash and bungee attachment points are as solid as other prime offerings in the market. The carry handle has a welcome neoprene cover to it, and it’s worth noting the first reaction was how light it was to carry to the water!
Verdict
The all round inflatable sector is filled with more offerings that probably any other sector and it can seem that there is the least to choose between them all. RRD have added a clever bit of technology to differentiate the Airsup that is easily seen in the shop racks, and quickly appreciated from pumping up through to taking the board on the water. This is a very tough looking board with its Dyneema belt encircling it nose to tail and the beefed up rails, we’d expect it to survive the rigours of recreational and centre use for a long time. In its class, the Airsup is an engaging little board that should foster a good bit of progression at the entry level with its responsive handling and will handle club and family touring / exploration duties nicely.