INSIGHTS
Unique rider insights on handling, glide and performance with on water reports from the people who own and ride Earth River SUP advanced stand up paddle boards. ERS is the choice of enthusiast paddlers who want better built paddling gear right through to professional riders, instructors and businesses that depend on their gear to perform at the highest level.
Gregory Miller
ACA LEVEL IV INSTRUCTOR DC MARYLAND VIRGINIA
An incredible touring shape that doesn’t follow the typical ‘touring’ board class design parameters. Fast, but also stable which helps in chop and a beautifully graded rocker that I’ve even run through a few pocket waves with. It will handle a ton of weight and performs almost like an all rounder. For distance it’s an amazing ride that tracks like it’s on a wire but keeps the features in the tail area for easy leverage into shifts and full degree turns. Great for up river attainment training workouts and because it’s super stable for a 12.6, it can actually handle fast moving water and class II rapids with short fins or no fins which no other board in this class can go close to doing.
JOHN GANCARZ
ACA LEVEL III INSTRUCTOR PHILADELPHIA
I use the 12-6 V-II as my instructor board because it’s fast and can hold an extra passenger or two without a problem. The versatility of the fin system allows me to switch up sizes according to the type of water I’m operating on. Even with the added materials for rigidity, this board remains light and maneuverable when out of the water allowing for easier portage over difficulty terrain. This came in handy when we ran out of time to paddle around a cove for 8pm fireworks display at the DC Wharf. Without hesitation, we climbed a 10 foot wall along the Potomac River, threw our boards over it, and were able to hike to the other side and put back in with time to spare. Would’ve never tried that with a hard board!
Melanie Webb
ACA LEVEL III INSTRUCTOR UTAH
Now that I’m land-locked again my favorite board is the ERS 12-6, which makes for easy transitions between mountain lakes and swiftly flowing rivers. The width makes the board extra stable when the afternoon wind and boat chop picks up on the water, and on those glassy early morning paddles it glides as smooth as any hard board I’ve paddled. The length of the board and the built in cordage on the front end is a really important feature for me, since I’m planning some overnight expeditions this summer. Tip: Carrying capacity can be extended easily if needed by running bungee cord through the front D-Ring!
Sebastien Harding
ASI LEVEL I INSTRUCTOR MARYLAND
Love this giant for exploring the river and doing long distance runs. Despite its size it's fairly light weight, and it stability makes it super fun in the rapids, and playing around with your footwork. For flatter days it tracks effortlessly, and makes for a super chill ride.
Sarah Sackville
NSW AUSTRALIA
The ERS 12’6″ V3 felt super solid from the moment it was inflated. It was the first thing I noticed, it felt particularly stiff. So it wasn’t a wonder that when I got on board I felt as solid as a cement block. I put this down to some great materials and manufacturing. The shape of the board makes for a great touring board as the slender body with a narrower nose and tail helps with the glide. Additionally, the rocker in the nose has been carefully engineered to give the best assistance in challenging conditions but not hindering you covering distances on flatwater.
JASON BRADLEY
PANAMA
At the end of the day, if you’re in the market for a fun inflatable touring SUP that performs extremely well and is backed by a solid warranty, the Earth River SUP 12-6 V-II is a fantastic choice. This is a board that’s designed for serious use by a company that’s super passionate about both the sport and the gear they make, and there’s a reason why these boards are currently in use at several ultra-demanding SUP instructional schools.
STEVE HERNANDEZ
FLORIDA
Could not be happier with my ERS 12-6 Sup I've owned it for a few years now. I paddle near the keys and will mostly take it out most early mornings as I just enjoy the relaxed feeling of paddling endless scenery. The best recreation purchase I’ve made in a long time and it was well worth investing a professional level board.
DOUG WILLIAMS
FLORIDA
I really enjoy my ERS V-II, inflatable SUP. I had 2 surgeries on my stomach and was looking for something lighter that was more manageable for 1 person to carry. After a fair amount of research on the internet and You-Tube, Earth River SUP seemed to prevail in quality and the company backing up their product. I have a heavy duty board and feel very confident with it as it is very durable. That is important to me because I take the SUP in the Gulf of Mexico, Naples/Collier County, Florida. I also take it into the inlets, mangroves and feel confident with the board that it is safe for me and my family. My wife and I ride the board together and find it to be very enjoyable and great all around exercise for the core and cardio. What a great sport and what a great board for family use. Thank you for a great product and great customer support.
JEFF ALEKSIC
MONTANA
Great combination of board stiffness, durability and performance on the water. I ride it on my local lakes and rivers. The quality is top notch and better than any other inflatable SUP I’ve ever used. One experience was paddling on Lake Michigan where the extra width provided the necessary stability to keep from falling of the board when the wind picked up and the chop got really rough. At the same time the extra width does not slow the board down. It still maintains excellent glide per stroke. Also, I’ve noticed the tracking is very good allowing me to paddle up to as many as 10 strokes per side without switching to the other side. Another experience was paddling on a local river with some mild class two rapids.
I was able to paddle through waves without falling of the board. And the occasional bump on a rock did no harm to the board. This proves the exceptional durability of the V3 construction. Another great feature is the interchangeable fin package that comes standard with the V3 boards. This allows for a wide variety of fin setups depending on the environment and paddling conditions. I use the three fin setup for rough water where extra stability is required. I use the single long center fin for long distance paddling in calm flat water. I use the short fins for shallow water where impact with rocks is a possibility.
REED MELTON
OREGON
Pumped Up SUP suggested an Earth River 12' 6" inflatable for my needs, and their recommendation was perfect!. At first, the shorter boards were on my list, but a phone call answered all of my questions about the right board for my primary use. I live one block from the Big and Little Deschutes River in Bend, Oregon, and regularly paddle upstream from my put-in and then back downstream. The 12' 6" board has been a pleasure to paddle upstream, and I frequently pass people because of the fantastic glide! The fin package that came with the board has been great for swapping to shorter fins when the river is low, and the three-piece carbon paddle has been rigid and light with an excellent bag for storage and transport. The neoprene handle makes carrying the board more comfortable in your hand when portaging with your gear.
Seeing my neighborhood from the river has been great, and taking pictures from my SUP has become a fun hobby. The quality of the board, paddle, and the selection of fins included are an incredible value compared to other packages I was considering. Everything I needed arrived on time, and I was paddling the same day that the board came. The 12'6" board is super stable and makes carrying gear easy. This summer, I am planning an overnight camping trip with my SUP and know my board is perfect for the adventure!
NEW IN 2019
ENHANCED DYNAMIC RAIL™
The next generation in advanced rail technology. The Enhanced Dynamic Rail™ is built right into every Earth River SUP V3 board. There are no unwieldily rail rods to fit and carry each session, no extra weight from excessive PVC layers or ineffective ‘carbon’ layered rail tape. The EDR is designed to enhance the ERS experience in active / moving water environments such as surf, rapids or rougher water to give you a better paddling experience. Riders will apply force at a multiplier of their body weight when leveraging turns / making adjustments in rough water and the Enhanced Dynamic Rail provides resistance when you need it – without affecting the glide of the board on flat water or carrying weight when you are off it.