Locating a kids paddle board that’ isn’t inflatable can often seem like an exercise in futility. Since hard paddle boards are much more rigid and can cause more injury, most SUP designed for kids are almost exclusively inflatable. The reason for this is because a hard paddle board isn’t meant to endure repeated shocks and dings when a novice rider constantly falls in the water. That’s why it’s so rare to find a kids SUP that comes in a hard board variety rather than inflatable PVC material. Such a board would be able to suit both the child and adult SUP rider in your home. California Board Company’s latest SUP, the Keeper Sports Classic, manages to effectively bridge the gap between an kids stand-up paddle board and one made for hard board SUP enthusiasts.
Laminated Coating around Entire Board
Even though it comes with a snappy, designer blue strip on the deck and a gorgeous wood grain design, this hardwood SUP is built to take a beating. It comes with a heat laminated bottom and deck, making its EPS-foam coare 100 percent waterproof. The bottom is laminated with a high-density polyethylene coating, making it extra smooth in the water while the deck uses a foam coating made of clear, high-density cross-linked polyethylene sheeting. Also heat laminated, this deck makes it easier to stabilize and control the board as you move it around in the water.
Lightweight design for a Hardwood SUP
Not only is this SUP designed for a custom molded shape meant to race in the water, it’s surprisingly light for such a sturdy hard board SUP. Only weighing about 25 pounds, this SUP meant to be carried from beachfront to beachfront – allowing you to take full advantage of an area’s tidal pattern. It’s nice to be able to find a good wave within walking distance when one beach has been blown out. The integrated carrying handle only maximizes such potential with this board. Also, being lighter in the water makes steering this SUP much easier than a heavier model. The molded fin box and the fin are also designed to accommodate a lighter weight and higher degree of control in the water.
Other Main Features
- Easy Storage
- Foam core with heat laminated coating and deck liner
- Maximum Portability with carrying handle
- Dimensions: 126″ x 31″ x 5.5″
- Holds up to 350 lbs. in the water
- Easy for beginners and experience SUP riders used to hard boards
- Includes fin, leash and aluminum paddle
- Weight (when fully inflated) : 25 lbs.
Customer Reviews and Amazon Score
Currently on Amazon, this model has accrued 6 customer reviews. At this point, it has averaged a customer rating score of “3.6 out of 5 Stars”. Of these 6 reviews, 33% of reviewers gave this SUP a 5-Star rating while 17% gave it 4 out of 5 stars.
Weaknesses and Strengths
Not everyone was impressed as the majority of Amazon reviewers. Some commenters noted how this wasn’t especially suited for whitewater paddle boarding, as increased contact with the water made it more susceptible to leakage into the foam core. This makes it heavier over time with the extra water weight and make is more difficult to track while in motion. It seems that this SUP does extremely well in saltwater, provided there are no rocks to cut or scrape this board with, which would allow for leakage and eventual degradation of this SUP’s foam core. Most commenters were taken aback by its weight, however. They noted how much easier it was for veteran riders to do great tricks and go very fast while still being appropriate for younger riders. As long as there wasn’t strong winds or currents, most people were able to maneuver this SUP easily and with extra stability that most SUP built for beginners aren’t’ known for. This was in addition to raves about its great balance and smooth ride. Such performance is uncommon for hard board SUPs.
Final Verdict
Conclusively, CBC Keeper Sport’s Classic seems to be targeting multiple markets with this latest unit. It’s designed to appeal to both kids learning to paddle board for the first time as well as hardcore SUP enthusiasts who want to limit their time in rock-free, ocean-based aquatic activities. Being able to do both in a hard board configuration is tricky, but CBC seems to have found the right balance between ease-of-use and maneuverability. This SUP comes highly recommended for those who want share one board among multiple family members of varying skill – provided you don’t go plan on extended, repeated visits to whitewater regions or conditions and steer clear of any rocks you see at sea.