RRD LONGSUP 9’8 TEST REVIEW
RRD
LONGSUP 9’8
TEST REVIEW
Verdict
Tested in RRD’s cheaper Wood technology, the Italian superbrand’s first take on longboarding is remarkably different to their chunky all-round boards. The LongSUP is a classic low-rockered, scoop nosed, point and walk type of longboard. It blends thin rails with a forgiving amount of volume and plenty of glide into the waves giving you smooth early entry. We loved the subtle wood inlay, the classic look and the generous length of the deckpad. The LongSUP is perfectly suited to slow, slopey longboard style waves where you have time to style it out.
Overview
The LongSUP hides its volume in the slightly domed deck under a long, diamond cut deck pad. The nose is wide and fairly flat and the tail is drawn out. Underneath, this RRD has a subtle spoon below the nose that works its way back through to the tail with a soft vee throughout. Beneath the tail a tri fin set up consists of twin future 4.7” sides and a large 8.5” US box glass centre fin. The rails are pretty low and thin right though the board, the board has a twin leash plug.
Brand claim
This is a fantastic board for our longboarding surf fans that have been converted to SUP! The rails on the RRD LongSUP are really low, enabling you to bury them without bobbing in and out of the water and the scoop under the nose gives control when nose riding. Suitable to be used as a thruster in big and fast wave conditions or as a single fin in small and fun waves, you can perform some nose tricks, enjoy its great gliding feel and steal the show with the timeless longboard look.
Performance
Longboard SUP’s can vary massively – some are hugely manoeuvrable and other are very predictable and love to be walked around on. The LongSUP we found to be a very comfortable smooth board, following the traditional type shape. We would have liked a slightly smaller fin that the one supplied as it felt fairly stiff as a tri fin compared to other boards but that’s easily rectified. Once you’ve bottom turned and are heading along the wave the board is easy and forgiving, and smooth to trim, however dropping into steeper waves we found the low rocker a little limiting. The domed deck shape gave the board a solid feel on the wave and the board hid its volume well. The RRD LongSUP is well suited to those sandbar, slopey type of waves where you’ve got all day to walk around and trim the board, so much more fun than a chunky railed all-rounder! If you’re looking for a sharper daily-driver that surfs better and you don’t mind dropping a touch of volume, then the LongSUP could be just the ticket, traditional longboard feel with enough volume to get away with being your go to board.
OTHER BOARDS IN THIS TEST:
Aqua Inc Air Rider 14’
Fanatic Allwave VNT 8’9
JP Foil Pro 7’0
Loco El Diablo 8’2
O’Shea 10’8 HDX
Red Compact 9’6
Red Whip 8’10
RRD LongSUP 9’8
Starboard Longboard 10’0