Oh no gone and done it now, wife had a demo on a red air and decided I should buy one for her ok all good I said
Dam this is a can a worms I thought to myself then I thought ok hang on I might use this think myself on holliday at the lakes etc to play on .
So I'm thinking the red air 9.8 ride as this will be plenty stable for her and I can get use from it myself he he
Or I suggested to her what about a 12,6 which she replied ok sounds good yep.... I thought ok even better for me ..
I see there is a 12 and a 14 elite but unsure what is what as I do not do flat water runs
The board she had a go on was a 10.8 ride I think 34 wide 
It depends quite a bit on your wife's size and what she wants to do with the board. Take a look at the 11' or 12'6 Sport models. The 9'8 has the potential to be frustrating because it might feel too slow. For surf play, it might be fine. If long trips across lakes or bays are in the cards, get something longer.
You mean the 12'6 Sport or the Race? The Race would be pretty fun, I think. If you're talking about the Explorer, I'd get the 13'2. I've been talking to various Red-associated people trying to find out best weights for certain boards. Honestly it's still not clear to me. I weigh 150 lbs. I've been told any of the three previously mentioned boards would work, but I wonder about the 13'2.
Have you emailed The Paddle Company NZ, or Paddle Boarding New Zealand? I think they're very helpful. I'd also like to hear what they advise you.
I demoed the 12,6 sport and the 12,6 race
The sport was quicker and had more glide but the race was 2 years old so a bit behind the times I guess
Stability between them both marginal in super clean conditions
The sport a little more comfort but can't pick one over the other on such a clean day.
Would like to try the 11 sport as the board is for my wife .
She has never been on a SUP before.
She jumped straight up on the 12,6 sport never got wet
But I must say these inflatables ate tough but don't glide like a hard board and I doubt they ever will .
So if I was to pick one for her I would say the 11 sport only because that is what the specs tell me for a light weight
30 inches wide might be a little narrow for her to start off on. The 32 inch width of the touring board might be better. Starboard have a 12'6x31 touring board and fanatic a 11'6x31 and a 12'6x32 Ray Air premium. I am in the same boat as you at the moment. Rode the 11'sport last year and it was fine for me. My wife is riding my 11'x31.5 inch Hobie ok-still a bit wobbly when it chops up a little and she can't stand up on my 14x28 for more than a few strokes. We are travelling and want an inflatable we both can use so the 12'6 red paddle sport is out.( I'd love it though) It's now between the 12'6x32 Ray Air premium , the Starby 12'6x 31 touring in deluxe construction, an the red paddle 12'6x32 touring. They are all in the same ball park price wise too. Have a look at David John's video of his Naish 12'x34 inch air glide. It looks great , but is just out of our budget. I guess it will come down to what colour the wife likes best after we have eyeballed and test ridden.
Did the dealer say whether the 12'6 would do well with your wife's weight? I think it would be a better board for flatwater and distance paddling. I think the Race boards have gotten narrower over the years, but I'm not sure about that.
Select to expand quotejojameka said..
30 inches wide might be a little narrow for her to start off on. The 32 inch width of the touring board might be better. Starboard have a 12'6x31 touring board and fanatic a 11'6x31 and a 12'6x32 Ray Air premium. I am in the same boat as you at the moment. Rode the 11'sport last year and it was fine for me. My wife is riding my 11'x31.5 inch Hobie ok-still a bit wobbly when it chops up a little and she can't stand up on my 14x28 for more than a few strokes. We are travelling and want an inflatable we both can use so the 12'6 red paddle sport is out.( I'd love it though) It's now between the 12'6x32 Ray Air premium , the Starby 12'6x 31 touring in deluxe construction, an the red paddle 12'6x32 touring. They are all in the same ball park price wise too. Have a look at David John's video of his Naish 12'x34 inch air glide. It looks great , but is just out of our budget. I guess it will come down to what colour the wife likes best after we have eyeballed and test ridden.
As a 5'4 woman, I would vote against anything wider than 30". Sure, a wider board would initially be more stable, but she will outgrow it quickly. It also requires more reach to get the paddle straight in the water. I had a Red Surfer 10' that was 30" wide----I wouldn't go wider than that. It was perfectly stable. Getting a board that's too wide underestimates the learning curve, and sets you up for having to buy a narrower, quicker board that much sooner.
Why is the 12'6 Sport out of the running? I think it would be a great board to have!
I got on2 tha red paddle 12,6s 3 yrs ago
I had 2x17,6 bullets 1x16 ft sic 1x14ft bullet 1x12,6 x6 sic
Sold em all
And upgraded to the 2016 red race 12,6
I'm on tha better side of 100kgs
N tha thing goes alright
I'm knocking out for tha 10 km consistent 7.20 per km
Not tha fastest but but ok for a blow up mattress My wife has a 12,6 race x28 she's only 5 ft x 60 kgs n she loves it
If I had to buy again I'd prob get tha 14 ft red race , maybe tha elite but would have to test it b4 there a lil tippy but u get used to it pretty quickly bit for wifey tha 12,6 x 28 is perfect
Tha only prob is she will be hassling to go paddle all tha time
Select to expand quoteOnz Benjamin said..
I got on2 tha red paddle 12,6s 3 yrs ago
I had 2x17,6 bullets 1x16 ft sic 1x14ft bullet 1x12,6 x6 sic
Sold em all
And upgraded to the 2016 red race 12,6
I'm on tha better side of 100kgs
N tha thing goes alright
I'm knocking out for tha 10 km consistent 7.20 per km
Not tha fastest but but ok for a blow up mattress
My wife has a 12,6 race x28 she's only 5 ft x 60 kgs n she loves it
If I had to buy again I'd prob get tha 14 ft red race , maybe tha elite but would have to test it b4 there a lil tippy but u get used to it pretty quickly bit for wifey tha 12,6 x 28 is perfect
Tha only prob is she will be hassling to go paddle all tha time
They didn't have the 12'6 Sport till 2016, so that might paddle good enough. Interesting to get all this feedback, as there isn't much real-world info online.
I don't think the race would be suitable sure it's stable enough but the outline may prove a issue in any chop .
She is almost settled and convinced the sport is for her based on she wants a board for distance cruising so the sport will prove a better all rounder vs the race .
Now the issue is 11 vs 12,6 she is 70 kg the 12,6 that was demoed was fine but going on the weight recommendations she is well in the 11 ft sport range
I'm concerned the 12,6 will be too much board if any wind etc as she is a fairly light weight .
And the 12,6 is for larger paddlers but the website says for longer distance which make not a lot of sence
I would like to see her on the 12,6 race but as mentioned the outline will prove hard work for her vs the sport in adverse conditions
Agreed Spirit. I just can't get the same logic through to the mrs. I love the 12'6 sport !
For the small female paddler would the 12,6 be too big
I see the reason it has only just been released so only the 11 has been available until now so I wounder if the consensus is the 12,6 sport is the better board to buy her
I just don't know based on the red site stating the 12,6 is for larger paddlers
And also I feel the 11 is a odd size
Select to expand quoteFoam said..
I don't think the race would be suitable sure it's stable enough but the outline may prove a issue in any chop .
She is almost settled and convinced the sport is for her based on she wants a board for distance cruising so the sport will prove a better all rounder vs the race .
Now the issue is 11 vs 12,6 she is 70 kg the 12,6 that was demoed was fine but going on the weight recommendations she is well in the 11 ft sport range
I'm concerned the 12,6 will be too much board if any wind etc as she is a fairly light weight .
And the 12,6 is for larger paddlers but the website says for longer distance which make not a lot of sence
I would like to see her on the 12,6 race but as mentioned the outline will prove hard work for her vs the sport in adverse conditions
This is where I'd like to hear some Red dealers and users weigh in. I've been told that the 12'6 will work for your wife's weight, and that it'll be faster than the 11'. It would seem that the 12'6 would open up the option of longer paddles....with better speed and tracking. If she liked it, I'd go with it. Wind could be an issue on any board, I think. did you demo the boards at a Red dealer? What did they say?
She went out again today on the 12,6 slight wind and side chop on Lake she went well never fell in but a couple of wobbles not bad for the third ever paddle on a SUP.
I went out also board tracks ok A little hard on the down wind as it's a little sucky but it is a inflatable the chop had got up a bit and stability was good I did however fall one after 5 km got side swiped by chop if the nose goes down between chop it does slap down hard vibrating through the board causing a element of instability but again it is a inflatable and the sport is not a race board.
I am a pure surfer but if I was to buy a flat water board I would not hesitate to look at the red boards myself .
Very good option for travel and or course you can leave it sitting on the beach /land all day you can't do this with glass or epoxy /carbon .
I have not had the chance to try her on the 11 sport but my guess is at over a foot shorter is maybe less stable but then for light riders maybe not .
The board is very easy to set up a fair bit of pumping yes 19 min as advertised but flat out pumping I was rather buggered afterwards
The side batterns are very easy to install
The bag is great , the only downfall of the package red offered in the sport and larger race sizes etc is no paddle.
Sure they are great and will do what I would say 70 percent of what a hard board will do but at the retail prices plus paddle there is a few hard board options about like the naish glide.
But you can't just pack a hard board in the boot of your car or in my opinion and the best is you can't leave a hard board in the sun while you bbq etc .
Over all yes I will but one for the wife and may very well get a second for myself off the used market.
As for choosing what size 11 vs 12,6 I'm not sure but it seems the 11 may have been a error in size
As it's for a all round board but with speed for distance you done see a 11 ft race board do to u?
But if the price is right I would get the 11
If not then I would get the 12,6
But I would add the 12,6 does look a bit cumbersome vs a hard board 12,6
But as mentioned by above poster there is no information on rider weights in the real world and why.
This Leeds me to think the 11 is a mistake and will be taken over by the 12,6
It makes sence to me.. the sport in a 12,6
The race in a 12,6 and 14
The race elite 12,6 and 14
The 11 sport just does not fit ??
After thinking about the sport vs the race I have been thinking why not look at a used 12,6 race The 2014 that is 30 wide
Sure is not new 2016 like the sport but will be cheap to buy used and should be just as stable at the 12,6 sport
With her being a light weight I don't think there will be any stability issue as I could not tell the difference myself
The new 28 wide race would be just to frustrating for her I feel
The benefit I see in buying the older race is being 30 wide it will be quicker and have more glide than the new sport
But still as stable.
If you can find a used Red, go for it. They're impossible to find in the US. There are only 2 online dealers that I know of, and sometimes they put last year's models on sale. A hard 12'6 Glide or Wing would be great if you live near the water, and have a good storage area. I don't know what I'd do with a 12'6 board as far as storage, so I'm probably going to have to get an 11'. Probably a Bic Ace Tec Wing.
Just about we are deciding between the sport and the race
With the race at 28 wide should still be OK for her being a light weight and better performance.
If I can get the older 30 wide race this would be good but otherwise the 28 should be OK
I'm looking forward to hearing what you get, and how your wife likes it in the long run!
She is keen on the race 12.6 is there anyone else who rides this board at 28 wide that just started ?
I would feel more comfortable to see her on a 30 wide sport but she says she prefers to race I'm just concerned it maybe a bit unstable but she is only 68kg
You have to get her what she wants. Otherwise every position she loses in a race will be your fault for getting her a board that is too big :)
Women have better balance than men, generally. They carry their weight lower down in their bodies and possibly their proprioceptive system is more sensitive too. Plus they are lighter. 30" is quite wide for many women - width is different the shorter you are in terms of it's impact upon ability to get the paddle vertical to get a good stroke. If she is even semi-serious about racing, or even just touring fast, 28" is probably where her aspirations should lie. Of course, if she wants to carry gear or some other load over long distances and in rough conditions then 28" is likely to be very tricky. So it all depends... But I'd be guided by her I'd I were you.
Thanks for the reply, she is not keen on racing she has only just started on sup and is a pure newbe .
I tried to sway her towards the 12.6 sport but she likes the idea of a step up being the 12.6 race
And as you mentioned the board would be stable enough at her 68kg anyway
It's just a shame red don't make the 30 wide any more but at her weight I done think the difference between 28 and 30 would be that much of a worry .
I hope anyway
Hey Foam
at her weight we have plenty of first timers use the 12'6'' race, remember the 28" verses the 11'0 sports 30" wide equal out due to the extra length and the boards end up being the same stability. The 30" wide board will be great initially but will be way to stable in the long run unless you are paddling in choppy conditions a lot.
disclaimer, I work for NZ board store, but shamelessly here is a plug for us anyway with a little discount, if you sign up to our newsletter.https://nzboardstore.co.nz/sup/boards/inflatable/red-air-12-6-race-2015
happy paddling
2016 red race on the way will let you know how she gets on
Many thanks , nz board store
A update after a day on the red air 12,6 race 28 wide
This board was purchased for my wife , she rode the 12,6 sport and was happy on that but decided to buy the 12,6 race
Conditions calm then small chop
Board tracks very well and you can feel the glide of the race vs the sport the board when first jumping on felt tippy but this is not a issue as the board only tips so far and seems to stabalise
She never fell off the board and felt comfortable even when cought in a stiff wind .
As this is her 4th time ever on a SUP it is impressive
AM I happy with the purchase...
Yes and no
Yes because it tracks great and quality is awesome and is stable .
No .. because I feel even though the board is stable I think it is a challenge to anyone who want a fast cruiser
Yes it is fairly easy to ride and a new sup rider can easily jump on it as there first sup.
But for comfort and ease of knowing that chop and wind won't be to much of a issue I would look at the sport.
She is more than happy with the race but I think I can see a sport on the way to add to the race .
If red had left the 30 wide race in there line up then the choice would of been that and only that.
If you want to race and have a board for distance fast cruising then the race is great.
If you plan to just have a play then buy the sport
I have used the 12,6 sport and this was a great board very stable but won't track anywhere as straight as the race.
I have not used the 11 sport and would of liked to as a comparison to the 12,6 sport
For a small paddler I feel the 12,6 sport is a rather big board
But then the 11 sport is a odd size
Even if the board was for myself I would still get the race 28 wide
Good stability and glide , a race style board for more serious fitness paddling is where I put this board.
For my wife it's stable so far but if in future it becomes a issue then the sport will be purchased for her and I will use the race
I am a surfer first and always will be but I like the race as a fast fitness sup that is not a full on race sup like the elite race
So more a entry race sup that can be used for distance paddling fast cruising
