The naming shows sympathetic traits of self-humour, as the "Humpback" whale is the humpback whale. "Pipe Master" would have been our suggestion, as the tubular design without the usual "drop stitch" threads ensures amazing test results. Just 12 psi is sufficient for inflation, which saves the worst part of pumping. The new 11'0'' all-rounder is quickly ready to inflate. Humped up to an opulent 18.5 centimetres thick in the middle (standard iSUPs measure around 15 centimetres) and equipped with a really thick skin in terms of feel, the 12.5-kilo board looks very solid. Thanks to the tubular construction, it has a thickness gradient over its length with a very thin tail and bow and a curve in the underwater hull like a laminated all-round SUP.
The surprise comes on the water: despite a pressure of only 12 psi, the board is as stiff as a rock in the water. Stiffer than any other inflatable board and even wilful bouncing hardly impresses the hull. With its deflection, it glides well through the water, the tubes provide stable guidance straight ahead and for an 11'0'' you can make surprisingly fast progress. The feet find a good grip on deck, with the thin edges you are subjectively quite close to the water, but high and dry in the centre. The solid material thickness requires a little more physical effort when stowing, but then the board can be packed to the usual dimensions and is folded rather than rolled.
PLUSExtremely stiff, "shape" like a large all-round surf SUP
Conclusion:
An interesting concept that we would like to try out in a small wave.
Technical data Tripstix Humpback Touring 11'0'' x 30.5''
- Price: 1599 Euro
- Further information is available here->
- Length: 335.2 cm
- Width: 77.5 cm
- Weight*: 12.5 kg
- Volume: 243 litres
- Other sizes: none
Stephan Gölnitz
Deputy Editor in Chief surf
Stephan Gölnitz comes from Bochum and had Holland as his home windsurfing territory for many years before moving to Munich in 1996 for the job of test editor at surf magazine. The materials engineering graduate worked as a surf instructor on the Ijsselmeer during his studies and competed for several seasons for the Essen sailing team in the Surfbundesliga and the Funboard Cup. He completed a traineeship at surf-Magazin in the test department and since then has actively accompanied almost all tests on the boom and for more than 10 years also as a photographer. Stephan has covered many thousands of test kilometers, mainly on Lake Garda and in Langebaan, but also in Egypt and Tobago. He gets his hands on over 100 new sails and boards every year as his company car. Privately, he prefers to surf with a foil on Lake Walchensee or “unfortunately far too rarely” in the waves. SUP is Stephan's second passion, which he pursued for several years at numerous SUP races. Today, he prefers to paddle on river tours with family or friends - even for several days.
