Chameleon carver –
Loco Inca 9’6 x 27” x 115L
It’s been a while since we last laid hands on a Loco sand up paddle
board. In that time the NE based UK brand have updated their
graphical livery and added a few new sleds to their roster – the Inca
9’6 we’re reviewing here being one such model.
Billed as a lighter weights or skilled rider
longboard surfer the Inca 9’6 is only
27” wide, which may put some off.
Before you stop reading, however,
consider the Inca’s 9’6 worth of
length and wide tail offsets some of
that perceived instability creating a
much more composed platform than
you’d think.
Price:
£999
Info:
https://locosurfing.com/pr
oduct/2018-loco-inca-
stand-paddle-board-
windsup/
flat, which aids get up and go,
building of speed once on a wave
and goes some way to helping
(again) with stability.
During testing we weren’t confronted
with the biggest of swells – waist
high at most. Yet the Inca picks up
and drops into waves efficiently and
builds speed with minimal rider input.
For those into auto pilot gliding the
Inca 9’6 will service your needs fine. If
you only stick to this style of riding,
however, you’ll be missing a trick…
Whereas Loco’s 10’ version reviewed
here https://standuppaddlemag.co.uk/
2017/02/24/easy-steezy-loco-inca-
10ft-x-29-x-142l-review/ erred more
towards the nose riding end of the
longboard surf SUP spectrum the 9’6 is
a new school slasher that loves a full
power whip off the top. We were
beaming having discovered the
amount of spray chucking you can
achieve if stomping on the tail – and
not right on the tail block either. The
Inca 9’6 rides well from a further forward
stance as well as right on the tail. Add to
the fact you can add sail via the
integrated mast track, for wind enhanced
surf riding, and you have a nifty summer
surf toy for a wider audience than you’d
imagine.
As such sweeping to the peak in calm
waters is a doddle. Big boned
individuals may have to use an offset
stance but that shouldn’t surprise.
Even in moderately choppy seas the
Inca 9’6 has a decent amount of
secondary stability which should see
a dryer ride than you’d normally get.
It’s also got a good deal of glide, once
a few paddle strokes have lifted it from
stationary.
Another trait to note is the Inca’s
relatively flat rocker. There’s enough kick
in the nose and tail to aid manoeuvrability
and avoid pearling on steep sections. But
through the majority of the board it’s pretty
CONCLUSION
Looking bold and aesthetically
striking Loco’s Inca 9’6 x 27” is a
wave riding vehicle that shouldn’t
be misunderstood. With more
stability than initial perceptions
suggest many paddlers will be
able to make use of the efficient
new school wave riding properties
it possesses. Loose and fluid round
the break it’s a longboard surfer
with shortboard performance
traits. Chuck in additional
windSUP versatility and it’s smiles
miles wide.
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