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Red 12'6" Race
This Product Has Been Discontinued
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Red 12'6" Race Description
Racing SUPs is great fun and fantastic exercise, which is why the race scene is expanding rapidly. The big problem for most paddlers, though, is that race boards are long and heavy, which makes them difficult to transport and store. The Red Paddle Co 12'6" Race solves that problem. It's long and narrow, which means it's lightning-quick through the water, but at the same time it's an inflatable, so it can be packed away for easy transport and storage.Despite its practicality, there's no compromise on performance. The 12'6" Race features Red Paddle Co's patented RSS stiffening system; its rocker line has been designed for fast glide and ride; its double nose fins help tracking; and the centre fin at its rear gives the right amount of grip without adding drag.
Red 12'6" Race Specs and Features
- Structure: Inflatable
- Seating Configuration: Solo
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
- Skill Level: Intermediate
Red Paddle Co.
Red 12'6" Race Reviews
Read reviews for the Red 12'6" Race by Red Paddle Co. as submitted by your fellow paddlers. All of the reviews are created and written by paddlers like you, so be sure to submit your own review and be part of the community!
I brought the12'6" Race…
I brought the 12'6" Race around 2014 and it worked well for the first few years I owned it. It was my first inflatable paddle board (SUP) and I felt it performed as well as a hard board. I did leave the board inflated during the summer months (since inflating it took a lot of work) but it was always kept inside the garage. And it was stored deflated in the garage during non-paddling season.
I took it out this summer to use after it being stored deflated the last couple of years. After inflating the paddle board, I noticed the three deck pads were coming off. I looked a little closer and basically all the deck pads and handle adhesive was coming off the deck. I contacted Red Paddle Co and the following was the main part of their message (word for word):
We don't sell replacement deck pads unfortunately. It is important to note that at the time, we used the best available technology to craft our boards, but the industry has grown tremendously since then and the new products are much more reliable.
The Red Paddle Co person was very nice in their emails. However, stating that technology has improved over the years sounds like an excuse; if that is the case, don't charge a premium price for a product that isn't any better that an inflatable paddle board from a department store.
And the following was his instructions for installing a new deck and handle (also word for word):
Instructions:
1) Inflate the board to 15 psi (if the area is leaking then you should fully deflate the board)
2) Clean the area to be glued - ideally with some acetone or nail polish remover (it works the same)
3) Apply a layer of glue to both surfaces but don’t push them together yet
4) Wait until the glue has dried (approx. 20mins depending on temperature)
5) Now apply another layer of glue to both surfaces
6) Now push the surfaces together making sure no air is trapped. You really need to push down hard onto the piece you are gluing. Pushing from the centre out to the edge. Ideally you need to push hard enough to squeeze glue out of the edge of the piece you are gluing. At the same time you need to heat the area up with a hairdryer to help the glue activate.
7) Keep applying force to the area to make sure all areas are well stuck down. You will need to work hard on the area for about 5 mins.
8) Ideally place a heavy weight on the area for 8 hrs.
*We advise using protective wear such as gloves and goggles
Wow, does that sound easy?!?! And that doesn't even including finding, buying, and cutting a deck pad or pads to fit the SUP since they don't sell replacement deck pads or handles.
I was willing to pay the extra money to get a high end inflatable paddle board for two main reasons: performance and durability/quality. The 12'6" Race failed miserably in the durability/quality department. A $1500 SUP should not be failing and require significant repairs with less than 20 uses.
I would not buy or trust another product from Red Paddle Co. The Red Paddle Co representative was right when he stated that the SUP industry has grown tremendously over the years; tremendous growth means more choices and there are much better companies and products out there than Red Paddle Co.
I have owned a Red Paddle…
I have owned a Red Paddle 12'6" Race for 5 years now. The first one was replaced after 1 year because the air escaped in several places. I still thought the service was good. On the second one, the seams are now coming apart everywhere within the last 4 years. The board was used a maximum of 5-6 times a year. I never inflated it to 1.5 bar and never left it in the sun. The glue is coming loose on the sides and at the bottom of the attachments. When I asked the service if they could at least provide me with the glue so that I could repair it myself, I didn't even get an answer. Unfortunately, the glue supplied is not nearly enough for all the spots.
For the price of the board, the quality is not even close to acceptable. At the same time, we bought a Mistral board for my wife that was only half the price, and it still looks as good as new after being used and treated in exactly the same way.
Poor quality and poor service together make me advise you to stay away from Red Paddle boards.