Classically rounded –
Lobster Lounge Surf Co Classic
10’8 x 32” x 4.75
New to the UK’s inflatable market is Kernow based Lobster Lounge.
With focus on high quality manufactured iSUPs the Classic 10’8 x
32” is billed as: ‘go anywhere, do anything’. So that should translate
to flat water sweeping as well as mellow surf sliding.
Price:
£799 (add the code SUPM to
save £50 and receive a free
electric pump)
Info:
https://lobsterloungesurf.c
om/new-index/
Laid up in durable Eco Shell material it
appears a hard wearing and robust SUP
once rolled out of its quality bag. Inflation
is standard with supplied high pressure
pump. Once blown to recommended
15PSI you get the full flavour of what
this board’s about. Flat rockered and
with very straight and vertical rails
it’s a solid looking platform rounded
out by a simple US Box fin.
Paddling forwards and the rounded nose does
push water slightly so for true zoom straight
lining you’ll need to put the hammer down with
your paddle strokes. That said it revs up to a
decent speed and even makes light work of
moderate chop when running downwind
catching little bumps. Step back onto the
tail and that rounded pin will see riders
spinning on the spot, so a good
inflatable for learning crucial pivot
turns. Some degree of focus will be
needed by the newbie to stay dry
when carrying out this exercise
as it’s not as wide in the aft
section as some. It is, however,
easy to get used to and a good
tutoring platform.
On the water and it’s 4.75”
thickness gives the board a
planted feel. This is still an iSUP, so
does float on the water as
opposed to in it, but that said it
feels well mannered and isn’t as
susceptible to choppy sea states
as some. The main volume is very
much up front with a gradual taper
down to a rounded pin. This should
give some idea of where the brand is
coming from in terms of design – it’s
very much a surf inspired shape even
though an iSUP.
Unfortunately we didn’t get
much in the way of proper
swell to test the Lobster
Lounge’s surf riding
capabilities. The few ripples
we did manage a slide on,
however, suggest it will cope
adequately. We’d like to see a
more efficient fin configuration
if this side was really pushed. The
board’s deflection (bend) is pretty
rigid though – definitely needed for
any type of wave riding.
CONCLUSION
All in Lobster Lounge’s Classic
10’8 is worth a look for anyone
thinking of stepping into the
inflatable market. Efficient on
flat water whilst coping
admirably with flotsam it can
also be used in small wave
arenas thereby displaying a
degree of versatility that
ensures maximum bang for
buck. If you’re on the look out
for a mid priced iSUP, that’s’
well manufactured and a bit
different, maybe you should
check Lobster Lounge out.
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