Endless Summer Paddleboard Giveaway Winner!

WE HAVE A WINNER!

Congratulations Diana Holding of Bonita Springs, FL!  You have won your choice of Cruiser SUP - the 2014 Cruiser Yoga Mat 10'8!

This absolutely beautiful and very light stand up paddle board is ideal for SUP yoga, flat water, and small surf. For more information on the Yoga Mat 10'8 and the entire Cruiser SUP line, please see our website.

Thank you to all who participated!  Keep checking back, we will be running a new Cruiser SUP board giveaway this week.


Thanks again, and have a great weekend of SUP fun on your Cruiser SUP! 
From the Team at Cruiser SUP and Paddleboard Direct

Cruiser SUP Paddle Maintenance Tips

Left: Cruiser SUP Carbon/Bamboo Paddle
Right: Cruiser SUP Skinny Shaft 50% Carbon Paddle

Cruiser SUP Paddles sold exclusively by Paddleboard Direct are constructed using the highest quality materials possible for maximum durability, performance, and longevity. However, like any material that comes in constant contact with salt, water and sand, corrosion will occur without proper maintenance. Therefore, one must take special care to rinse the paddle out very well after every single use.

Cruiser SUP Alloy Paddle

To rinse your Cruiser SUP Paddle properly, unlatch the tension lever like you would do to adjust the height of the paddle. Next, remove the handle section from the shaft section completely until your paddle is now in two pieces. Finally, rinse the inside of the shaft along with the handle section very well several times with fresh water. Don’t be afraid to take a hose or shower head and fill the entire shaft up with fresh water and then pour it out several times. Allow the inside of the shaft to dry by hanging the piece from the blade section, with shaft pointing downwards. Also, use a towel to dry the handle piece completely before re-inserting it into the shaft of the blade piece.

Cruiser SUP 100% Carbon 3 Piece Paddle

If you are caring for a Cruiser SUP alloy paddle, you must take even extra care to ensure you have rinsed the paddle completely inside and out as alloy is more susceptible to corrosion from salt. Never leave your paddle covered in sand or salt especially if you live in a warm or humid location. Be very careful to remove all sand from the latch and inside the shaft of the paddle. 

Disassembled Cruiser SUP Alloy 3 Piece Paddle

For care of a Cruiser SUP 3-Piece Paddle we recommend that in addition to rinsing out your paddle completely you take extra care to wash the spring pin that clicks into place when assembling the paddle. Make sure after every use that you dis-assemble the paddle into the 3 separate pieces and rinse the inside of the entire paddle very well. Always hang the shaft to dry and wipe the pieces that enter the shaft with a towel until dry.

Disassembled Cruiser SUP 50% Carbon 3 Piece Paddle

Washing away all salt, dirt, sand, or other potential clogging materials from all sections of your paddle is the key to keeping your paddle from rusting or sticking when trying to adjust the height. Please remember to wash out your Cruiser SUP Paddle completely after every single use!

Corrosion on an alloy paddle due to poor maintenance

Corrosion of the height adjustment slots due to poor maintenance

Cruiser SUP 50% Carbon Paddle

Thanks and Happy Paddling!

SUP Sizing

One of the most frequent questions we get is "What size Cruiser SUP do I need?"

A very valid concern for someone new to the sport of SUP and one we always respond with a few more questions of our own..

• "What kind of water conditions will you be using the board on?" 
• "What is the weight range of those using the board?" 
• "Will you be taking kids or pets on the board with you?
• "What is your experience level on a SUP?"

These questions allow us to determine how to best size a board for you personally.  Stand up paddleboards carry a certain amount of weight based on their volume.  The higher the volume, the more weight a board can carry.  Being on the right size board is critical to having a great SUP experience. With that being said, when deciding on a board size we almost always recommend to choose one size up.  By selecting a larger sized board you have ensured increased stability, better tracking, and increased glide speed.

Beyond your own size and comfort level on a SUP, the other major consideration is having the option of taking your kids or pet out for a paddle with you.  If this is something you may be interested in then it is definitely a good idea to go up a size for the sake of additional stability.  Needless to say a child or pet will move around a bit, and that added weight displacement has a huge effect on the stability of your SUP.  Plus, if you ever want to try SUP Yoga or just let a beginner friend try out your board, the extra volume will go a long way.

Have a great day of SUP fun!
The Team at Cruiser SUP/Paddleboard Direct

Which Cruiser SUP Paddle Is Best For Me?

Black 50% Carbon Paddle

After introducing the sport of Stand Up Paddle Boarding to countless individuals, the one question that always seems to be asked is, which paddle should I use? People see the different colors of the paddles, the different construction and logos, but don't really know what that all translates to once out paddling on the water. The paddle functionality is something you don't really seem to notice until you become more comfortable on a SUP. At first, you are just focusing on staying balanced and keeping the board moving in the water. Once you become more acquainted with the feeling of balancing over water you naturally become a better paddler and want to dig the paddle in to gain speed or to turn the board when needed. At this stage, a nice, light paddle makes a world of difference.

The mistake that a lot of people make when purchasing a Cruiser SUP is to just stick with the heavier alloy paddle that comes free with the board. Don't get me wrong, the alloy paddle is a very solid paddle and if durability is something that you are seeking, the alloy will last for quite some time. However, if it is performance that you are after, the smart move, because of how fast the learning curve of SUP is and how quickly one becomes a decent paddler, is to go with the relatively cheap upgrade to a lighter full carbon or 50% carbon paddle for the $49-$99 upgrade. This offer is only made available with purchase of a SUP as an upgrade. After the fact, these high end performance paddles go for $149-$249. So now, what exactly are the benefits of these beautiful carbon paddles?

When deciding on a Cruiser SUP Paddle you have a lot of different options in regards to the color and look of the paddle. However, the difference in performance of the paddles is all about the construction and adjustability. The materials used in construction of the paddles determines the weight, flex, and durability of the paddle. The heavier the weight the more taxing on the arms and shoulders and as a result slows down your maximum speed as you aren't able to get as many paddle strokes in. Light weight carbon construction paddles are far superior in this regard and will allow you to get more paddle strokes in per side and faster transition from one side of the SUP to the other. The lighter weight of the carbon paddles will also allow for you to go on longer journeys on your SUP as you won't become worn down as fast as you would when using a heavier paddle. If you just want a paddle that will last year after year no matter how much it gets banged up and who uses it, then the alloy paddles are a very solid and durable solution to your paddle needs.

Bamboo All Carbon Paddle

If there is one thing that I can assure you of, it's that if you have only ever used a heavier alloy paddle and then go out on a lightweight carbon fiber paddle, you will be blown away. There is nothing like the excellent glide and ease of side to side transition that the carbon fiber paddles provide. You will find more enjoyment in the sport of SUP and totally appreciate your new found maximum sustained speed with a Cruiser SUP carbon fiber paddle. Plus, your back and shoulders will really appreciate the lighter weight.

It all comes down to what you want to do with your SUP. If you are just looking for a new activity to relax out on flat water or throw your kids on the front of the board, then by all means, the alloy paddle will last and perform wonderfully. But, if you want performance speed, maneuverability, and quick side to side transition for great SUP exercise, racing, or surfing, then there is no better option than a Cruiser SUP lightweight carbon fiber paddle.

Check out the full line of Cruiser SUP Paddles here.

Inflatable Cruiser SUP V-Max AIR vs. V-Max Bamboo

Cruiser SUP Team Member Glenn with V-Max Bamboo

Paddleboard Direct and Cruiser SUP team member Glenn recently took the Cruiser SUP V-Max AIR out for some testing on Lake Ontario during 15-20 knot SW winds with accompanying 5 foot rolling swell. Not very easy conditions to say the least, but with the experience that Glenn has on a SUP, more than enough to get a great comparison of an inflatable to a rigid SUP. If you have ever wondered the difference in performance of an inflatable SUP compared to a rigid SUP then please keep reading below. Glenn offers some excellent detailed analysis of his experience.

Here's what Glenn had to say:

"When it comes to varying Stand Up Paddle Board models, I have ridden almost all of them.  If you give me 2 different SUP's to compare with as little as a few millimeters of specification in difference - I am able to tell them apart. My point being, when I test SUP's, I am constantly comparing the board to the database in my mind of all the boards I have ever paddled and I pay attention to every minute detail. Comparing the Cruiser SUP V-Max AIR to the V-Max Bamboo, there is a huge number of similarities, but also a huge number of differences. First thing you notice, the V-Max AIR is inflatable, there is no mistaking that. While the V-Max AIR is stiff,  you can easily tell it is inflatable (softer feel, but very stiff). The softer feel is almost comforting when riding in rougher conditions, as it isn't as harsh of a ride as the V-Max Rigid can be in steep and short period wind swell.

Cruiser SUP Team Member Sands riding V-Max AIR

Transport: There is no question the V-Max AIR is superior in the transport department. I drive a pretty small car and while I do often carry several boards on the roof, the back pack size of the V-Max AIR in the back seat is a nice treat compared to the constant howling wind coming from the roof rack with a rigid board (or two) strapped to the racks.  

Durability: Again, there is no question the V- Max AIR wins. The V-Max Bamboo is definitely tough, however if it is dropped or impacted into something like a rock, the board is most likely going to ding or crack at the spot of impact. Of course, you don't wan't to abuse any SUP, but if you happen to tick the V-Max AIR off a rock on your way into the water, the board will just bounce off with minimal to zero damage.

Glide and tracking: I would call it a dead heat. Both SUP's average about 12-14 stokes per side.  The V-Max Bamboo is crisper on the first couple of strokes and to accelerate, but once at speed, both SUP's maintain momentum equally well.

Going downwind: This is the one area I have to give to the V-Max Bamboo version, but barely, and with some explanation.  Getting a glide on the V-Max Bamboo takes nothing more than putting yourself in front of the piece of swell and letting the board do the rest. The V-Max AIR does need an extra stroke or two and requires a little extra muscle to get the board up to speed.  But, let's rewind back to the rock I hit on the beach where I realize that if I was using the V-Max Bamboo I would not have even been on the water to catch that swell, that took one more stroke to catch, as I would have spent the day fixing the ding on the board. I then quickly forget that it took one more stroke to catch the swell.

Cruiser SUP V-Max Platinum Edition Bamboo Touring

Looks: That is a tough call, in my opinion. I like red, I like bamboo, I like silver; I really just love all Cruiser SUP's.

Overall:  When I factor in the convenience and the toughness, the V-Max AIR is my preferred version of the V-Max. Still, there is a place in my board quiver for the V-Max Bamboo version and I will use both throughout the season. Though, most likely the V-Max AIR will become a fixture in my car just for the flat out reason that the performance is so similar, yet the V-Max AIR is so much tougher, portable, and convenient.  Factor in the price difference between the V-Max AIR and V-Max Bamboo and it is very tough to find any reason not to go with the V-Max AIR.

Winner: Inflatable Cruiser SUP V-Max AIR!"

Cruiser SUP and Paddleboard Direct BBQ Event!

On Saturday May 24th, Cruiser SUP and Paddleboard Direct held a promotional event to debut and get feedback on the all new Cruiser AIR Inflatable SUP Series. We set up a fun, family BBQ at Boynton Beach Inlet Park on the beautiful Intracoastal waterway of South Florida. The park sits right on a sandy beach with nice calm water that is perfect for beginners to the sport of SUP or for going fast on these super light weight inflatable Cruiser SUP's. We grabbed one of the waterfront pavilions in the park and spent the day enjoying the beautiful weather and taking turns having a blast on the paddleboards.


The turnout for the event was even better than we expected! We had everyone ranging from first time beginners to a few experienced SUP enthusiasts. The one common thing among everyone was how awesome these inflatable Cruiser SUP's are. People couldn't believe that these nice rigid boards were inflatables and when deflated could fold up and fit inside of a backpack style bag. The feedback we got was overwhelmingly positive. Many of our guests had given SUP a try on a traditional solid board and were discouraged by the weight of the boards and instability. With a little encouragement, we got these guests to give it another shot on one of our inflatable Cruiser AIR models and not one of them had a bad experience.

Here are a few of our guest comments from their experience on a Cruiser AIR Inflatable SUP:

"I took the Cruiser SUP Koa AIR out for a paddle and had an amazing time on it! It was only my second time paddle boarding so I was a bit nervous, however, I was pleasantly surprised at how smooth and easy the SUP was to ride. After 20 or so minutes paddling around on the Koa AIR I came in and then realized I had not fallen once! After that, I am definitely more comfortable paddle boarding and look forward to my next session!" Alonso, Boca Raton, FL

"If I wasn’t told that this was an inflatable board, I never would have known. Just as sturdy and maneuverable as the countless standard SUP’s I’ve ridden, and much more convenient to transport, carry, etc. The Cruiser SUP V-max AIR is probably the fastest board I have ever ridden." Josh, Delray Beach, FL 

"How do you top a smile from ear to ear? Thats the question I am left with after my 3 year old and I just rode the Voyager together and my 10 year old son and 9 year old daughter each conquered the Koa. Incredible fun packaged in a back pack. Stable and Light, perfect combination for safe weekend fun." Shane, West Palm Beach, FL

We ended up taking a ton of photos from the event - some that you see here on this post and many more to come on the Cruiser SUP and Paddleboard Direct Instagram and Facebook pages. If you haven't already, follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook to see more of the great photos we took at the event!



Click here to 'Like' Cruiser SUP on Facebook!

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Find us on Instagram at @Paddleboarddirect and @CruiserSUP

All-New Cruiser SUP Inflatables

Cruiser SUP has once again expanded it's line of stand up paddleboards, this time to include inflatables.  Inflatable SUP's provide the benefit of deflating to the size of a large backpack, making storage a breeze.  As a result, they are ideal for those living in apartments, those who are unable to carry a board on the roof of their car, or simply those who like to enjoy SUP adventures wherever they go.  An inflatable SUP is all about convenience.  They manage to provide all the enjoyment of stand up paddleboarding, without any of the storage or transporting hassle of a traditional rigid board.


Inflatable stand up paddleboards travel so easily that they can be taken on any vacation.  Simply deflate them and place them in their backpack-style carrying bag to bring your own SUP with you on any vacation- regardless of whether you are travelling by car, plane, or train.  Bring your own inflatable SUP, and you can avoid using the slow and heavy rental boards that many resorts provide.

There is no shortage of benefits to an inflatable SUP, but most people are afraid that the board will feel like paddling a floating air mattress (for lack of a better description).  It's a valid concern, and one that Cruiser SUP has found a way to alleviate.  Each of the three models inflates to 17psi, creating a solid surface to stand on, and cuts through the water similarly to a rigid board.  These boards are made of the most durable inflatable materials and there are thousands of stringers connected to the tops and bottoms of the boards to help them maintain their shape when inflated.

Beyond the stiffness of the boards, shape is critical to an inflatable SUP, preventing it from just bouncing around on the water.  Cruiser SUP has based their inflatable models on their tried and proven Koa and V-Max designs.  The Koa AIR features a rounded nose, an all-purpose shape that will allow for not only flat water paddling, but surfing as well.  Meanwhile the V-Max AIR features a nose shape similar to the traditional V-Max displacement nose.  This allows it to cut through the water and as a result, you gain more speed in flat water. 

More detailed board specs can be found here for the Koa AIR, and here for the V-Max AIR.

Cruiser SUP has taken their line of inflatable SUP's one step further with the introduction of a new model, the Voyager. This shape is wonderful for a wide range of activities and the beautiful bright blue color stands out among the rest. You can fish off of it, do yoga on ultra-soft diamond groove deck pad, float a cooler on the back, or just go exploring. The Voyager is extremely stable while still being responsive enough to get nice speed going. The nice wide hip outline allows for multiple riders to enjoy the wonderful feeling of SUP. From the wide hip the outline goes to a nice pointed "V" shape nose similar to the V-Max design. This is what makes the Voyager so special, it offers the best of both worlds - superior stability yet still lots of speed.

More detailed board specs can be found here for the all new Voyager AIR.

Here are some of our five star reviews: 

"The 12’6” V-Max AIR really blew me away. The speed I was able to reach on this board was incredible. Probably the fastest SUP I have ever ridden. This board has another gear that most SUP’s can’t even touch. If you really dig in the paddle and push it you can really launch the thing and get going fast. The other thing about this board that was outstanding was the stability. The Touring outline with the pointed nose really cuts through the water and offers a platform that is very easy to balance on. I tested this board on the Intercostal waters of South Florida, which are relatively flat. However, when the occasional boat goes by and creates some wake, the board just glides right on through without very much loss in speed. At this price, if you are looking for a board that you can take anywhere, store anywhere, and still perform as good as or better than a SUP that costs 3x as much, then this is a no-brainer."


"A friend of mine and I took turns paddling around on the 10'8" Cruiser SUP Koa AIR Inflatable on the Intercostal waterway in South Florida. I am a very experienced paddle boarder and really loved the lightweight yet very stable shape of the Koa, not to mention how much faster a Cruiser SUP Koa inflatable is over a fully solid board.

My friend, who weighs over 200 pounds, is a beginner to the sport. He jumped on this board and just nailed it. He was amazed at how easy it was to stay stable and get this board moving fast without even really paddling too hard. This being only his second time on a paddleboard, and first on an inflatable, he said he much preferred the speed and stability of the Cruiser SUP Koa inflatable. The price of these boards relative to how well they perform is really a steal. Not to mention the ease of transporting and storing these boards. If you haven't considered an inflatable SUP, give one of these Cruiser SUP Inflatable boards a try and you will be very impressed."

"The Cruiser Voyager AIR SUP is the perfect go anywhere, do anything inflatable paddleboard. I have ridden hundreds of different SUP shapes in all different sizes and I can safely say that this is the most stable SUP I have ever been on. If you are a beginner to the sport, this is the board for you. At 190 pounds, I was able to paddle the Voyager AIR around on one foot for short periods of time. The board feels like you are gliding around on a platform that you can control and take anywhere. Don't get me wrong, this board is not just a beginners board. The Voyager is perfect for fishing, adventuring, yoga, or just cruising around on the lake. With more than adequate speed compared to most boards, if fast speed is what you are looking for in a paddleboard, than you need to consider the Cruiser V-Max AIR. If you are looking for a board to throw a cooler on the back, one of your kids on the front and go for a little adventure, than the Voyager is the ideal model. Once you're done, deflate the board in minutes, pack it into the complementary bag and call it a day. The Voyager will take your weekend journeys to the next level."