The importance of a SUP review

Reading stand up paddle board reviews can be one of the most helpful ways to figure out if a specific paddle board is right for you. However, don’t just look at the star ratings. Find the common overall trends in what people are saying. Extensive research on a specific SUP will ultimately lead you to purchasing a board that you will be stoked on. Speaking of reviews – one of our Advocates, Ali Moon, wrote a review about one of our favorite touring paddle boards, the Voyager. Built for adventure and designed for long expeditions, the Voyager is the perfect SUP for those who thrive in the outdoors. Ali has been riding her blue 11’6 Voyager for over a year in upstate Michigan where winters are frigid and summers are golden.

The ultimate touring paddle board

As told by Ali Moon

The Voyager is perfect for all season paddling. Doesn’t matter how cold or stormy the conditions are, the Voyager provides me with enough stability to keep me from falling in and freezing my butt off. Since it has great stability, I would say this SUP is perfect for all skill levels, beginner to advanced.  Also, the board's hybrid nose will cut through chop effortlessly on those windier, less calm days. I’ve owned my 11’6 Voyager for a year now and have paddled in every weather condition you can think of. It makes paddling from point A to point B a breeze. This board is hands-down my favorite touring board I have ever paddled.

The Voyager's nose and tail bungee systems are perfect for holding all my gear securely without the worry if it falling overboard. Even when my board is full of gear and my dog, it doesn't feel weighed down as I paddle.

Board features

• Has enough room and weight capacity to fit my dog, an extra person or a cooler.
• The board’s high volume allows this board to hold extra gear for long distance paddles and allows the board to track through the water without any drag.
• The 11’6 only weighs 31 lbs. (10’6 weighs 28 lbs.) making it easy to transport thanks to the convenient liftSUP handle.
• One thing you wouldn’t notice unless you’ve been on other boards is how great the brushed EVA traction pad is. When you ride a board that has textured padding, parts of your feet lose circulation when you add pressure to your feet while balancing.

Paddle boarding in Michigan

The Voyager is my go-to for paddling on large inland lakes. But realistically, the Voyager could paddle well in any body of water and would  excel in the ocean and rivers because of its hybrid nose and cutting bow for more textured waters.  In Michigan, you are never more than 85 miles from a Great Lake, let alone an inland lake (which there are a lot of). In my hometown in Northern Michigan there is water literally everywhere, therefore, the conditions and the paddle possibilities are endless! That is one of the many reasons I love where I live so much.

Recommended accessories

• Dry bag
• Cooler
• Water bottle
• Waterproof wireless speaker
• Camping gear
• Dog