The Paddler Magazine issue 71 Late Spring 2023 | Page 14

PROS :

• Stability .

• Price .

• The ‘ fold line ’ printed underneath the board .

• Perfect for beginners .

• Lightweight .

• Compact size .

CONS :

• The paddle was heavy and slightly flimsy .

• The zip at the front of the bag is not enclosed .

• Not for advanced SUP boarders or someone ready to take the next step in SUP .

• The board is small and thin , so it would only suit someone of smaller stature and weight .

TECH INFO :

REVIEWS

My first impression of this board is that it ’ s wide and looks stable . I love the colour of the board , and the bungees look funky with the red and green wide straps ! The additional red strap has been added to enable the rider to carry more kit . The board is 9 ’ 10 ” x 30 ”, an ideal all-rounder for a beginner paddler , and it feels stable and is easy to manoeuvre .

The packaging was compact ; however , I would have liked there to be less plastic , the majority of the packaging was paper , but all the accessories , such as the leash and the pump , were unnecessarily ( in my opinion ) wrapped in plastic and polystyrene .

The board was easy to unpack and assemble and came with a nice dual-action pump . However , I struggled to put the fin on as it was quite stiff , but with some force , it went ! I suspect this will get easier over time . It also comes with a 3-piece adjustable paddle which was quite heavy due to the large plastic blade , which could make paddling harder for a smaller person or child .

The thing I was amazed about was how lightweight the board is ; weighing 7.6kg made carrying it really easy - especially being a small 60kg adult ! I struggle to carry heavy or large boards , so this would make longer portages etc ., much easier to manage ! The backpack-style bag is useful if the rider wants to carry the board . However , the zip at the front of the bag is not enclosed on the inside , which I found odd as everything falls through into the inside , meaning things could also fall out if not closed . I can ’ t see why there isn ’ t a pocket space here .

This board would be perfect for a beginner who is smaller in size or a young adult , although the board does say it is suitable for someone up to 100kg . A taller or larger person would be uncomfortable paddling this size board .

One thing that stood out was that the board had printed underneath where to fold it when putting it away ; I ’ ve only ever seen stickers here , which usually fall off . Having it printed there made folding and putting the board away effortless ; it was compact and neat the first time , and the board fit perfectly back in the bag !

CONCLUSION

The Aqua Marina Breeze ’ 23 is a lovely board for a beginner who is smaller in size , either a small adult or teenager wanting to get into the world of Stand-Up Paddleboarding . It comes as a complete package and is ready to be used . The board is light in weight , making it easy to carry , and it comes with a neat compact backpack . The board , in my opinion , is a lovely colour , and the extra red bungee looks stylish and allows the rider to carry more if needed , and I love the little addition of the ‘ fold ’ line to make packing it away easy every time ! Price : £ 399.00