SUP Mag UK lo-res free to readers July 2014 lo-res - free to read | Page 83

Discovery mission –
Exocet 9.8ft Discovery
www.exocet-or iginal.com

Both boards excel in slower waves although I’d
always plump for the 10ft if I had to cover
distance to a take off. At this point it’s worth
mentioning the Longboard’s glide – it really is
startlingly good. So much so it actually works,
to some extent, as a small downwind log. The
Maxi G is only 7.3ft and is always going to be
trickier in a straight line.

The first thing you notice when jumping aboard the
Exocet 9.8ft Discovery is how lively it feels. Although
it’s moderate in length it feels compact and loose
under foot, without stability being an issue. There’s
enough ‘platform’ to keep most standing tall on flat
water although heavier boned paddlers may do
better on something slightly bigger when the water
chops up.
As far as iSUPs go the 9.8ft Discovery is an all round
beast – poised to offer touring SUP opportunities,
general larking about at the beach tomfoolery and
even sojourns into small waves.

Both suit the needs of riders looking for real
world performance. The 10ft Nah Skwell is
obviously the more traditional feeling out of the
two with its narrow tail providing plenty of pivot
and wider nose satisfying soul arch purists. The
Maxi G meanwhile is a great shape for cruisers
wanting to switch things up.

Inflation is easy enough with the standard pump
supplied, while the fixed US Box fin gives a decent level
of performance intermediates will be happy with. Once
blown up it’s a pretty solid plank to stand on with only
a small degree of play as you ride over chop – to be
expected with inflatables.
Paddling into wind can be a mission with the upturned
nose and sub 10ft length requiring more effort,
whereas, surprisingly, heading back with the breeze is
quite impressive. By no means a downwind stick, it still
tracks and glides well for the type of board it is.

CONCLUSION
Both require the same technique to get the
most out of bottom turning but give
versatility in small to medium waves. If the
swell is punchy and waist to head high then
I’d choose the Maxi G. For anything smaller
or bigger I’d go 10ft Longboard – maximising
the glide to get in early. If it’s choppy with
distance to cover I’d reach for the 10ft while
a more traditional, but equally choppy,
break would see me leashing up the Maxi G.

We didn’t really get the opportunity to test it any decent swell but it was chucked at a few
onshore south coast dribblers and it fared well. Larger paddlers will need to give it some more
oomph to get onto a face while smaller sweepers won’t have an issue.
Bungee cord up front gives the option for storage when on sweeping adventures, although
ladening down the Discovery too much isn’t advised – a bigger board would be better if you have
excess kit to take along on exploratory missions.
The bag supplied is comfy with padded shoulder straps making for a pleasant journey to your
chosen put in. If travelling to foreign climes I’d personally get hold of a totally closed rucksack so
you can stow other belongings away from prying eyes.

Either of these SUPs has enough individual
performance to keep most stand up paddle
surfers happy. If you want total dominance
and versatility in small to medium size
waves, however, and you can stump up cash
for both, then I’d take that leap. Rail to rail
chargers should look to the brand’s Surf
Series for a more hardcore ride.

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Conclusion
All in, the Exocet 9.8ft Discovery is a well manufactured recreational inflatable stand up paddle
board. Perfect for light to middle weight intermediates as a ‘do everything’ stick, while heavier
sweepers would use it as a smaller board for messing about in moderate waves.
Price: £699

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So why compare these
two sticks?

k ie t a r
g

paddled. I’m no ‘toes o