Hello and Welcome Everyone! It's another beautiful day to be In the Outside.
Today I've got something a little bit different.
I have with me, washed up on the beach, nestling amongst the rocks, a package, which we're going to open.
So, lets get into it!
One paddle board,
a very nice bag,
plenty of space in there,
triple action pump,
paddle,
leash,
repair kit,
light reading,
fins,
and a wrench.
Very pretty!
Just to save time, a bit of magic...
Sorted!
My first impressions of this board is that actually it's a really good quality bit of kit.
It looks really well made.
Personally, I quite like the colour, you may disagree, but there are other colour options.
The paddle is a 3 piece carbon paddle with a nylon blade.
The pump works really well, although I not going to lie, it is hard work. I'll take that as a positive, I need the exercise.
Even the bag is good quality, it carries everything you need. There's space in there as well to just add other little bits and bobs if you're heading out for the day.
Of course, I also like the fact that you can attach a GoPro, that should be fun to try, I just didn't have the attachment on this first trip out.
Let me know in the comments or a thumbs up if you'd like a further review of this board once I've given it some time.
Stop it there a second...
What am I doing on a paddle board, and why did I choose the iRocker Sport in the first place?
Perhaps I ought to explain.
Recently I've been doing a lot of land boarding. It's fun, you can see for yourself by watching some of my other videos.
But when the wind stops that doesn't mean the fun has to stop right?
And of course, the wing can also be used on the water. There's loads of great footage on YouTube of wing foiling - that's using the wing with a hydrofoil surf board.
Of course, I'd love to try that, but this is all new to me. We're all learning here. We'll get there!
But I'm getting ahead of myself.
A paddle board is a great way to start that learning journey.
But before I try the paddle board with a wing, it's important that I get used to the paddle board itself.
Paddle boards are getting really popular, they are actually quite easy to use. I've just checked and actually the iRocker Sport is out of stock, again, hopefully when you look it won't be.
I chose the iRocker Sport really for 2 reasons, well 3 really.
1, and 2, to try it with a wing plus still be able to use it when there's no wind, and 3, because it sits between a cruise-y all-round paddle board suitable for beginners,
plus it has a faster more touring style look to it.
Turning 11 ft of beautiful PVC was a whole lot harder than I'd thought.
I did a little paddle boarding last year, and I quickly learned that to travel faster and more efficiently you need a longer and narrower board.
A narrow board is less stable, but with practice it's got to be more fun, right?
We'll see.
The iRocker Sport is 79cm wide, that's 31 inches. iRocker say that the board has a weight capacity of 175kg, and is really meant for a single rider.
They also suggest that it could be the fastest board on the market.
This is my first go. As I paddled off from the shore in what was a very light offshore wind, I looked over my wobbling shoulders to see that actually I had travelled out a lot further than I'd anticipated.
I have to say that spooked me a little bit. Was the wind stronger than I had thought and blowing me out to sea?
Or was it really just travelling faster than I'd thought it might?
So, what do I do? I turn round of course and head back to the shore.
iRocker says that this board is ideal in surf conditions and rough water.
Yeah, I'm sure it is - I just need to practice!
I'm an occasional surfer, I guess an experienced beginner, but I've never tried to surf anything that's 6 inches thick.
Oh my goodness!
iRocker say that this board is designed to help experienced paddle boarders practice more advanced applications such as racing or advanced turns.
Well I have to agree, and I have to say I've been working since on my step back turns and it's going really quite well - but again, that's for another time...
I'm really looking forward to getting to know this board better. Look out for future videos where I learn to turn more efficiently using step back turns.
And of course, I have to try it with the wing.
Wahoo!
I can't surf this...
The waves are too big...
If you fancy a review then perhaps give me a thumbs up or mention it in the comments and I'll see what I can do.
Summer's on it's way. The wind's not been so great so I'm sure this board is going to get quite a bit of use.