The beginner SUP Aqua Marina Vapor
25.6.2019
Translation: machine translated
On the lake with the SUP, not too expensive and as uncomplicated as possible. That was my plan. I bought the Aqua Marina Vapor, a short all-round board for (light) beginners.
There was no question that I would buy a SUP this summer. I was already on the verge of buying one last year after travelling with the Guruu Union and being quite taken with the sport. The board would also have met my requirements for the time being. The main thing that put me off was my overcrowded cellar and the thought of placing a large black bag in front of the shelf as a tripping hazard alongside bikes, skis, sledges, a kayak and various rackets. Then the boards and finally the summer were gone.
Why the Aqua Marina Vapor?
In the meantime, I have reconsidered my requirements for the board. I want a slightly shorter, lightweight and affordable all-round board for use on the lake. After searching our shop accordingly filtered, three options remain: The Aztron Lunar, the Season Superlight and the Aqua Marina Vapor.
Make 1 out of 3
All three come in a set with pump, telescopic paddle and rucksack. The Season Superlight has double side walls and can carry up to 120kg, but I don't like the look of it. It was ruled out, although it presents itself as the "ideal all-rounder" and the light-coloured design would be advantageous in the blazing sun, as it heats up less. Cracked seams are not uncommon on inexpensive boards. The decision falls between the Aztron Lunar and the Aqua Marina, both of which also come with a leash.
The Lunar with "double-chamber technology" has two air chambers and is both wider and thicker, which speaks in favour of stability and resilience. With a volume of 270 litres, it can carry up to 120 kilos. The Aqua Marina can carry a maximum of 100 kilos. That doesn't bother me. I only weigh 70 kilos and want a lightweight board. It can also be fast.
According to its own advertising, the Vapor is even an "incredibly fast SUP, very stable with exceptionally good tracking behaviour." The overall package appeals to me the most and I'm in line with the trend: with sales rank 10 out of 246, it clearly outperforms the two competitors in our shop.
Things that I really like about the Aqua Marina Vapor straight away:
- Due to the small volume (220 litres), inflation is pretty quick. The double-stroke pump supplied can be switched to single stroke and also used for pumping out.
- The carry bag is not a classic rucksack. It can be completely unfolded, which makes it easier to pack and unpack. If you fasten it securely using the various buckles, you get a flat pack that can be worn close to the back.
- At 8.2 kilos, the board is relatively light. At first glance, the workmanship is good, handling is uncomplicated and a repair kit is also included. -
Things that I like less straight away:
- The telescopic paddle twists too easily. I tightened the screws that regulate the pressure on the inner tube a little more. But I'm not completely satisfied yet.
- The pungent smell of glue has not dissipated for a long time and almost knocked me out of the car when I stored the board in the boot.
- I can't think of a third point of criticism.
On the lake: With the blue into the blue
Transporting, inflating and getting on - all easy. The board is ready to go after a good three minutes if I don't dawdle while pumping. I need some time to get used to it on the water. Especially when I hit the first waves, I realise that the Vapor requires a little more sense of balance and that I have to keep my position in the "sweet spot" at the height of the handle. There are no long walks on the deck pad. On the other hand, I'm pretty fast right from the start and the board is easy to manoeuvre. My Skinners also experience their second spring on the rocky shore and on the SUP. The sock shoes are great in situations like this.
More Golf GTI than Ferrari
My concerns about whether the board was a good choice evaporate a little more with every paddle stroke. The Vapor is certainly no Ferrari, more like a tuned Golf GTI. Compact, visually striking and definitely sporty to ride if it suits your build. When the children crawl onto the board with me, we are together just over the 100-kilo limit of the Vapor. It is now very low in the water, bends a little and is definitely no longer easy to ride.
If you weigh over 80 kilos and perhaps also want to carry luggage, I would no longer recommend it and would recommend a model with a larger payload. In the same price segment, Aqua Marina would have, for example, the Thrive or the Beast, all all-round boards can be found here.
Nevertheless, I am happy with my choice. I am aware that the Aqua Marina Vapor is an entry-level model and that the big price differences to premium boards cannot be explained by the brand names alone. Even if the buzzwords in the descriptions are the same, this should not be confused with the same quality. Not all PVC is the same. And the dropstitch technique used to join the upper and lower decks of inflatable boards can be durable, tight and rigid or simply cheap. It is equally unlikely that a "double-walled core" in a cheap design will be able to keep up with the top materials of expensive boards in the long term.
Conclusion
The Aqua Marina Vapor is probably not a board for life, even if I can't say anything about the longevity of the 2019 model yet. The overall package suits my current needs. It's a good introduction to the SUP world if you stay well below the maximum weight. For me at least, the Vapor is not intended to last forever. I'm already thinking ahead.
When I buy a new toy, it's clear from the start that it won't be mine for long. My daughter has already started to conquer the board and will gradually take it over. I'm already eyeing up the next SUP and will be trying out one model or another over the summer. A longer and higher-quality flat water board would probably provide even more speed and fun than the short Vapor.
I may soon look at the Aqua Marina Vapor with different eyes and dig a little deeper into my pocket for the next board. If you're interested in my experiences, come on board and follow me via the black button in my author profile.
Michael Restin
Senior Editor
Michael.Restin@digitecgalaxus.chSimple writer and dad of two who likes to be on the move, wading through everyday family life. Juggling several balls, I'll occasionally drop one. It could be a ball, or a remark. Or both.
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