12’6’’ SUP boards are available in abundance and in almost every width. At 13 feet long and 29 inches wide, this board occupies a unique position. It is designed to appeal to sporty fitness or touring paddlers. Accordingly, the board is available exclusively in the higher-quality “CR” technology.
Features and build quality
The JP board measures 13 feet in length, 29 inches in width and 6 inches in thickness. This thickness is standard for modern, stiff boards. The length is slightly greater than the usual touring size, but still falls short of that of pure racing boards, which usually measure 14 feet but, often being less than 26 inches wide, fall into a significantly more demanding category. At 29 inches wide, however, the SportsAir is still on the slimmer, sportier side for boards in this (touring) category.
Construction method
The SportsAir CR model tested features the CR construction, where CR stands for ‘Cross Reinforced’. This is the stiffest construction offered by JP. The construction is based on the LC construction and features an additional reinforcement layer as well as a cross-woven drop-stitch core. This is complemented by welded seams, known as ‘Welded Rails’, which are designed to significantly increase the durability of the side seams.
Exhibition area
The entire area normally used for standing is covered with a soft deck pad, which does not have the usual diamond pattern but instead features elongated grooves. On dry land, this doesn’t seem particularly grippy, but on the water this turns out to be a complete misconception, as it actually offers particularly good grip there. This pad is slightly divided towards the rear – presumably for design reasons – and ends in a small wedge right at the very back, just in front of the rear eyelet for the leash, where the foot can find a foothold during very tight turns.
Features
The carrying handle is thin and soft, yet well-padded, so it’s hardly noticeable when you step on it. It makes the board comfortable to carry, though. This is also because, at 8.3 kilograms (without the fin), it’s already on the relatively light side. The luggage net is sized for use on day trips. It has room for a medium-sized bag. Anyone wishing to take significantly more luggage with them should consider fitting a second luggage net at the rear for longer trips, or at least adding mounting eyelets for a second luggage net – which is certainly possible.
Shape and design
The board has a slender nose that tapers relatively gently and gradually widens towards the centre. This results in a very harmoniously shaped, pointed bow. From a paddler’s perspective, too, it looks very streamlined. The tip of the bow is raised only slightly above the water, so the board loses hardly any waterline length whilst still handling small choppy waves well. This has also proved very effective when paddling into the wind. The board looks very stylish in its multi-coloured design. The panels are very neatly cut and flawlessly bonded.
Fin and assembly
The fin is secured with a screw that remains permanently in the fin. The thread remains in the fin box, which speeds up assembly. A screw with a good grip is easier to turn than the usual brass washers. The fin is on the small side. Nevertheless, the board has good straight-line stability. However, for those who want the best possible straight-line stability for long trips, or who wish to improve on this further, there is certainly scope for optimisation here with a fin that covers a larger surface area. That said, the board already has good straight-line stability thanks to its slender shape, which is, of course, further enhanced by its considerable length.
Tipping stability and rigidity
The 13-foot-long JP SportsAir, which is 29 inches wide, takes you by surprise right from the moment you set off. Based on our experience with the 12’6’’ boards 30 to 32 inches wide At first, one might have expected the narrower version to be significantly more unstable. However, over the first few metres, the difference isn’t as great as feared. Nevertheless, you should only attempt a 29-wide sport tourer if you feel comfortable and safe on a 32-inch-wide all-round SUP, even in slightly choppy water. Once you’ve got that sorted, there’s little to stand in the way of some fast, sporty fun.
The board’s rigidity, in particular, is immediately noticeable. Even when riding the waves, there’s no wobble or thud underfoot. The SportsAir cuts through the waves with remarkable smoothness and agility. With a headwind of around 10 to 11 knots and the resulting small waves on Lake Starnberg, you can make good progress even against the wind – provided you have a decent paddling technique. When approaching a wave, the board doesn’t turn inwards but cuts through it elegantly – half under, half over – with the slightly upturned bow doing the job perfectly.
Performance of the JP SportsAir 13’x29’’
At the same time, it’s remarkably light on the water – or rather, light to handle. In a head-to-head sprint, you won’t be significantly faster with it than with any other 12’6’er. A little more speed is certainly possible, but the real advantage lies elsewhere: the same (particularly high) speed can be achieved with less effort and, above all, maintained much more comfortably over longer periods. This simply makes it more fun to paddle briskly over longer distances. The shape also contributes to this. The bow is nicely pointed and blends very smoothly into the hull. Instead of a pointed nose followed by a broad bow section, the board features a uniform, elegant outline. Even from a distance, the SportsAir looks sleek when someone is paddling on it. And from the paddler’s perspective, too.
Classification
In the JP range, the design is somewhat reminiscent of a ‘Supersport’ windsurf board: not a pure race board, but a very sport-oriented one. Among inflatables, the SportsAir is one of the faster models, without, however, requiring the balance skills of a very narrow race inflatable. Longer tours are therefore certainly feasible for paddlers who are already reasonably experienced. In downwind conditions with larger wind-driven waves, however, the price you pay for the narrow outline becomes apparent. The board rolls more to the side than, for example, a 12’6” board with a 31-inch width. The SportsAir rolls slightly more than a comfort tourer with a 31-inch width. The same applies to side waves. However, everything remains within reasonable limits – and, particularly in summer, this extra challenge can actually be quite fun. What’s particularly noteworthy is the secure footing on the deck pad. The diamond-shaped pads on other boards can be felt slightly when barefoot and don’t always offer the same level of grip. On the SportsAir, by contrast, the longitudinal texture ensures a soft, particularly comfortable feel underfoot. At the same time, it provides excellent lateral support. Even when the board is rolling and you try to slide your foot sideways, it’s almost impossible to do so. The grip remains very strong even further back on the board. As a result, the pad gives you a particularly secure feeling when barefoot.
Manoeuvrability and directional stability
When manoeuvring, it becomes clear that this board combines a length of 13 feet with a narrow width. The board sits slightly lower in the water and, as a result, doesn’t turn quite as nimbly as the JP 12’6’’x31’’, which we also had in the water for comparison. Steering inputs need to be more pronounced. The shorter, wider JP CruiseAir 12’6’’ board responds noticeably more directly. When performing a crossboard turn (where you stay in the centre to turn), the SportsAir requires one or two extra paddle strokes. If you then move back to perform a pivot turn, it also becomes a bit wobbly. Add waves to the mix and the turn becomes a bit of a workout – which certainly has its appeal in summer temperatures. None of this is down to any specific characteristics of the board, but rather its sporty dimensions, which, on the other hand, are precisely what make the lively paddling fun and the brisk forward momentum possible in the first place.
The absolute strength
The board therefore really comes into its own not as a fun board or for paddling around, but as a serious SUP board for sporty, fast touring or a quick fitness session. Although the bow does not lie completely flat on the water, it only lifts slightly at the front. As a result, very little waterline length is lost. The board is therefore well placed to make the most of its theoretical hull speed, whilst still offering scope for carrying a payload.
Suitability for longer trips
Luggage can mainly be stowed at the front. The rear deck remains completely clear, so nothing gets in the way there. Consequently, there isn’t a great deal of storage space – after all, the SportsAir is more of a sports tourer than an expedition board for multi-day trips with extensive kit. However, with a larger bag at the front, you can certainly fit in enough luggage for a two-day trip. If you also want to carry luggage at the rear, you can, of course, attach a luggage net there as an option. On the water, its sporty character is ultimately confirmed by the GPS speedometer. The SportsAir reaches the speed of other 12’6” boards relatively easily, but requires less paddling effort to do so. That’s exactly what makes the difference: it moves along briskly without you having to paddle at full strength all the time.
Technical Specifications
- Model: JP Australia SportsAir CR
- Length: 13'0" / 396 cm
- Width: 29" / 74 cm
- Volume: 377 litres
- Weight: 8.3 kg (measured by us)
- Fin mount: US box with
- Fin configuration: Single-fin
- Price: 799 euros (including rucksack and pump)
Test summary
The practical test confirms the board’s fundamental design: the SportsAir 13’x29’’ is a (very) sporty touring board that combines good speed with at least adequate safety and stability, even in slightly choppier conditions. The 13’x29’’ dimensions are rather rare on the market, but have performed really well in the test and, alongside the usual 12’6’’x31’’ boards: particularly for sporty paddlers, lighter paddlers or those who are already somewhat experienced. Suitable for longer tours as well as for a sporty post-work paddle.
Stephan Gölnitz
Deputy Editor in Chief surf