The brand has come a long way since the start. The price point is still good and the quality is improving each year. The overall design and shape stays relatively the same but better quality manufacturing and materials are being used. There are so many brands available now and lots of very cheap options available but I would recommend spending a little more and purchasing a large well know brand such as Aqua Marina for your first board. All of my boards are now pretty old now and still being used and put through their paces and with only a few cosmetic scuffs and scrapes and a few rips in the carrying bag but apart from that still fantastic as day 1!
Thanks for your great review! :) I've already got an Aqua Marina Model 2020 Super Trip and I'm super satisfied with that board and with the price-performance ratio as well. Looking forward to summer 2021! :) Hopefully, it survived the winter. ^^
I am 177 cm tall and 83 kg, do you think this is board is good for me as a beginnner? There is and old model of this vintage for sale right now. Thank you!
Hi there, I'm about the same size and weight as you. I learnt on a slightly larger board called the Monster. The Monster is longer and slightly wider which will make it more of a stable platform to learn on. I would say go for the biggest board you can afford when learning and it will make the process quicker and more enjoyable. Once you have gained your confidence sell the old board as they hold their value well and then you can choose a more advance board suited to what you want to do. i.e.... Touring, racing surfing or just a better general allrounder. The learning process can be frustrating when your constantly falling in and struggling to balance. The Magma is a very nice board once you have gained a little confidence, but it will be difficult for the larger rider to learn on but not impossible. If you are buying from the Uk use www.marineandoutdoor.co.uk and mention me for the best price in the UK.
Would this be a good board that one person can paddle solo, and occasionally take an adult to paddle tandem with? Or maybe one of the other 12" boards in the AM range would be better. Let's say 60% of the time would be solo
Hi there, Yes the Super Trip is a fantastically versatile board. Aqua Marina now make two types 12ft and 14ft. I have an older model super trip and its similar to the newer 12ft model. It is very stable and great for a beginner to learn on solo. Having two people standing on a board is quite difficult and takes practice. But when you are both comfortable its so much fun taking a passenger on the water with you. I probably have used this board the most as its so much fun due to its versatility. The 12ft super trip would be a good option for 60% solo trips. The width is important for stability and this is a nice and wide board. Only thing you much consider is this is not a performance or touring board and will be slow to paddle and turn when compared to an all-rounder or touring board of similar size but these will be very difficult to paddle tandem. It can be done but very difficult. I would recommend the super trip 100%.
I had the starboard all star 14 x 28 so it was a big beast of a hard board. The aqua Marina Race was actually faster, I think it was 4-5 minutes faster over the 3 mile river course.
@@theonlyedmund It was an old heavy allstar probably 2014 model. The acceleration on inflatables is so good. But obviously my own paddling ability gets better and times will generally decrease the fitter and better you get at the TT course. Honestly I was a lot faster on the new race board from Aqua Marina. Its a very good board for the price.
@@theonlyedmund I try to give my honest opinion but I think everyone will be slightly biased towards their favour brand whatever the product. An inflatable will in the end of the day be slower that a race designed hard board, but with training and practice it will put up a good fight and you can fold them up and put them in the boot of your car.
Wow, nice vid. Want to buy Aqua Marina SUP and i’m stuck between 2019. BEAST and MAGMA (both are 32" wide). I’m 76 - 78 kg weight, my wife 65 kg and son 65 kg too. I live at the Adriatic sea and we have here very small to small/mid sized waves, speedboat waves and flat sea. Nothing much to surf on it like in video (maybe once a year). Once, twice a year waves are bigger but this is rarely. Sometimes my son want to play with paddle, and me too we want to making short turns etc. on the beach and sometime we want to ride distances between 1 - 3 km always near coast, not the open sea. I like playfulness and my wife cruising so its must be “one fits all” paddle Sometimes my wife and son want to sit together on the same paddle, but also very rarely. Would You kindly please recommend me wich one to choose: Beast or Magma ? Thanks in advance for your answer.
Hi Matthew, Aqua Marina added a built in camera mount in 2018 but then removed it for the newer boards. I use a gopro sticky mount plus a tether mount as a backup. They have never come off yet.
@@jackhill3252 Thanks for your reply! That's what I thought, every video I've seen it looked hard mounted, but it looks exactly like a stick-on-mount. I found the 2018 model still for sale with the kit on roadbikeoutlet, ordered it up here to Canada, and it just showed up yesterday. It is the 2016/2017 model though, not the one they showed on their website when I was purchasing it. So now I have a 4 year old board, without the camera mount on, that I paid close to what I could get a new 2019 board for. locally in Canada Fingers crossed they take it back and cover my duty fees. :/ Thanks for your help!
Thanks for the awesome video. I'm looking at buying a Magma, but I'm not sure between the 2017 model and the new 2019 model. I prefer the graphics of the 2017 model a lot, and I like that it comes with the action camera mount, which seems to be missing from the new model. But I don't know if there are new materials or construction techniques used in the newer model which would make it a better purchase. Have you seen the newer model? What do you think?
Hi Nick, I haven't personally tested the new model 2019 and I have the original Magma. Which did not have the action camera mount. I used a GoPro surf mount and its been great. So I don't think that should be too much of a negative against the new model. I'm not sure why they dropped the action camera mount? I can't find my AM spec sheet at the moment but from what I can remember the board has become a little wider. Old is 30 inches wide and the new one is 31 inches. Possibly slightly more stable. Only a little 😜. But the new shape is really the big improvement. The old one had a square tail and the new one has a rounded tail. Making it more versatile and better at surfing. In theory. 🤔. With out having one to test I can't say for certain if the materials have changed. As the max pressure has remained the same, I think it's not a drastic increase in performance if that have changed \ improved the materials and construction. I still love the original magma. It's such a great little SUP. I'm sure the new one is going to be better.
The 2019 Race is an all-around better board than the previous one. With the double layer construction and better materials being used the board has a max PSI of 18. Which makes it very rigid but there is still a slight amount flex when padding hard. I've tested the board to 20psi and this reduces the flex a little. However pumping the board over the recommended max inflation limit is not advised and will probably void your warranty. All these boards have a little tolerable due to variations is atmospheric pressure, heat and accuracy of pump pressure gages. I've not moved from my solid race board to this narrower race isup.
I am about to move to the Mexican Pacific Coast. Which Allround Board would you recommend for waves. I weigh 95 kg and my height is 1.92. I am deciding between the Aqua Marina Thrive or Magma
The 2018 Magma is a fantastic board to surf. Every time I take it into the waves I'm genuinely surprised how good it is. I haven't been on a Thrive but being a little shorter it has the potential to be slightly more stiffer / ridged and would be more movable. But you will sacrifice stability going for the shorter board. The Magma would be a better allrounder for your size and weight. I'm about 80KG and 1.85M, I thought I was tall! LOL? If you can handle the shorter Thrive it would be better for surfing but the Magma would be just as good. The 2018 models had a square tale the new 2019 have a more pintail if this helps with your decision. I'd go for the Magma!
@@jackhill3252 Thank you for your feedback! I went for the Magma 2019. The 2018 was sold out. What effect does the square tale and pintail have on the performance of the board. Which paddle would you recommend? The board comes with an aluminium paddle. Do they float? On the long run I guess a carbon paddle would be better. But I saw that there are blades with carbon fibreglass mixture wich seems to flex as well. Should a paddle be 100% stiff or can it be flex as well for surfing? Thanks for your feedback!
The tail on the new 2019 Magma is going to be better. Its not quite a pintail its a rounded tail something in-between a pintail and square tail. which means you get the best of both shapes. Its the ideal tail for sup surfing. Have a little google on tail shapes and you'll be pleased with your choice. I now wish I had the new Magma. The Aluminium paddle can float if they have some foam in the middle but they usually sink. I have the full carbon paddles and they are super stiff with minimal flex. All paddles will have some flex in the shaft but shouldn't flex in the blade. I would avoid the plastic bladed ones try and get a carbon blade or a reinforced plastic one. @@exus98
Hi Jack, really look forward to see you surfing on the Rapid, I have bought the magma and enjoyed. Also, all the Aqua Marina allround and adv. allround board are redesigned at 2019, what do you think about those changes? I think the difference between boards are eliminated..
hello ...it is a durable i sup? what about the fusion ...i'm 70 kg beginner in sup(but i do surfing) i don't know if is better fusion or thrive...answer me please
norax - Hey Norax, yes they are very durable. The only issue I’ve had is that as they have so much volume once you wipe out or get caught in the white water a few times the leash attachment point, where the D-ring is attached to the board can break and I’ve had to have a few repaired. As long as you keep an eye on this they are fabulous SUPs to surf. If I had the choice between fusion and thrive. It’s got all the new tech, like duel stringer and reinforced side rails and not to mention the tail pad! This is a small SUP and should handle better in the surf zone compared to the other larger boards. I’m yet to try it but if it’s similar to the Magma and Rapid then it will be awesome!
Sergio Ribera Gonzalez yep echo is 4”. It might be worth trying one before you buy. See if you can find a local dealer? Perhaps one of the newer 4inch models will be fine for you? Check out reviews by water cooled Sup he has surfed the Echo!
I'm interested in buying an Aqua Marina Breeze. My weight is 77 kg. Do you think it is possible to surf waves like your video as with the Magma model ?. Thank you
I'm around 81kg and think you would be better suited to one of the 6inch boards. The Breeze is only 4inches thick this makes them more suited to very light paddlers. The 6inch thick boards will be loads more rigid and have less flex making them better for surfing and all round paddling.
And to navigate and some small wave? Is the Breeze recommended for me? Is that the price difference is € 130. Does the breeze also use double stringer technology? Thank you
hi Jack, cook review. couple of questions.... are these boards pretty durable and is the standard paddle that comes with the beast any good.... thanks man
@@jimmykarter8055 it's very stable but not designed to go long distances. It does not track in a straight line for long and you will have to perform lots of paddle strokes either side of the boards to keep it tracking straight. It's designed to make light turns and be very stable.
foufdog - Hi, the beast is a fantastic all round board. I’ve been testing all of Aqua Marina’s boards beyond their normal (recommend ) limits and they are very durable. For normal flat water paddling you will never have a problem with the board. It’s only when I’ve been surfing in over head large waves that I’ve found an area that needs some work. The leash D ring will wear out after intensive beating in the surf zone. After a while it will break and I’ve had to have this replaced and repaired with a new D ring attachment. This only happens when your abusing the board in rough surf. The boards don’t normally come with a paddle. So I’m not sure which paddle your referring to. When I was given an option for the paddle I went for the Carbon one. Either the Carbon Guide or Carbon Pro. The Carbon Pro is super light and strong. You what a really light and stiff paddle with a small amount of flex in the shaft. If you have any other questions feel free to ask me any time.
thanks for the in depth reply Jack, yes it will be used on the estuary (Essex) so pretty flat and hopefully the occasional Surf trip to Cornwall. Yeah I understand regarding the leash attachment, good to know you have thoroughly tested/ abused the board in the surf though, must be pretty damn good. So I've found on on eBay complete set up with 'Sports II Aluminium 3-piece paddle' so should do the job I guess. I might invest in a better paddle down the line. I was looking to get a RRD or Jobe SUP bought might give the Beast a go....
Thanks for the review, this board is on my final list. Need something for two, or one and my Great Dane. Need some weight capability, but I do not want to buy one of the expensive mega boards yet.
hello! what do you reccomend for 130 kilo (2persons) sometimes i want to go on my own and sometimes together. mostly in flat water but i want to try in the surf too. i have done it a couple of times but i can surf(got my own surfboard) it has to be stabile but allso easy to manover. do you reccomand this board or the aquamarina magma or monster for example. i heard this board is not easy to ride on your own. im only 1.55 meters tall and dont know if i carry it by myself. please help me!
Sandra Van beers Hi Sandra, The Super Trip is a great beginner board and will be super stable and you will have loads of fun with two people and on your own. You will probably be able to use this board in very small surf but it won’t be very good. The shape is designed for stability not surfing. The only other board from aqua marina that you could paddle with two people sitting down would be the aqua marina monster. This would be much better in the surf. See my other videos for an example. The Monster is narrower so will be a little less stable but with practice it’s a great board.
Sandra Van beers sorry just seen your comment about carrying the Super Trip on your own...... that will be a problem. It’s really requires two people. The monster is also big but my girlfriend is small and can carry it short distances. The Magma is a lot smaller and not ideal for two people.
Hello. I have 191cm height and 91kg weight. I want used in Sweden on small waves. Which you can recommend for me?? Magma or Race??? Thank you very much for help.
Przemek O. Hi, if you want to surf on small waves get the Magma. I always use the Magma for surfing small waves and it handles really well. If you are new to the sport you will find it quite wobbly at first. This is because it’s quite short and narrow but this makes it better for surfing. With a little practice you will find it very easy to catch waves. It’s also good for paddling and exploring your water ways. The race is more suited for touring and long distance paddling. You can use it in small waves but the Magma is better.
