Gear shed
SUP Mag UK ’ s test station . If you want your product reviewed and think it will be of interest to SUPers Email : tezwoz1 @ hotmail . co . uk kg ie t a r s h e d : i n f l a t a b l e s
Combination performance – O ’ Shea GTS HPx 12 ’ 6 x 32 ” x 310L
Review & pics : Tez Plavenieks I ’ ve used O ’ Shea ’ s GT 11 ’ 6 extensively in the passed . So it was with eager anticipation the the HPx constructed , Fusion Lite . 12 ’ 6 GTS version was inflated and readied for paddling . O ’ Shea state the GTS is a combination of race thoroughbred and destination iSUP . They also say that glide is improved with the HPx construction on glassy water . So with a glassy water forecast on the cards it was on with the testing .
Price :
£ 899
Info :
CONCLUSION
I love the O ’ Shea GT range of inflatable SUPs . The GTS 12 ’ 6 is another shining example of great performing iSUP that sits neatly in the line up . The weight saving HPx manufacturing is always going to be welcome . As is the on water performance which certainly does as the brand says by combining familiar qualities of both race and touring iSUP . Also , a big nod to the included manual triple action power pumps which makes inflation so much easier .
As with all O ’ Shea iSUPs the manufacturing is tip top . Everything is just as is should be without a seam misaligned . Once inflated the GTS certainly feels feathery light . At 9kg it ’ s a doddle to carry . This was most welcome as there was a little bit of walk to get to the put in - even with my helpers in tow !
Getting afloat the 12 ’ 6 feels lively . But the board ’ s secondary stability is great and in no time paddlers will settle into the engaging ride . ( You can see the stability in action with accompanying one footed pic ). A few strokes and the GTS is up to speed . And vrooming across the flat I can confirm there ’ s plenty of glide plus ease of tracking . It ’ s simple to keep momentum going and not burn yourself out by smashing those paddle strokes . As
such , from a touring SUP point of view , the GTS would make a decent day tripping machine for those wanting a bit of a mellow journeying .
Weight carrying is great . I had both my kids clambering on and off the GTS during our touring SUP session and the board copes with this great . I ’ m therefore pretty confident you could load up a heap off essentials for a sojourn to your fave off the beaten track paddle boarding destination and not have any problems .
Putting the hammer down the GTS revs up with the best of ‘ em and paddlers can get a fair lick on . It ’ s certainly a sled any budding racer could find their competitive feet with . For anyone looking to get into SUP racing the O ’ Shea GTS 12 ’ 6 would do a sterling job of starting you off .
s t a n d u p p a d d l e m a g u k 92