When it comes to SUPs, is a bigger and wider paddleboard a better choice? What if you’re just a beginner and you’re not sure if you can handle a bigger board?
These are always the first questions people ask about SUPs. It’s understandable that you’ll get intimidated by the size of the paddleboards but there are cases when a bigger board is better. Take, for example, the 11’ Shark All Round Cross iSUP. This iSUP is 11 feet long but it’s known to be one of the best boards in the market. Get to know this iSUP model and why you should consider buying one.
- 11'*34"*6". Perfect board for a long distance ride and the ability to carry bigger paddlers(125kgs / 275LBS). Max 25 PSI, Recommend 18 PSI. The board is 15 cm in thickness offering super high buoyancy and stiffness.
- Very strong and high stiff. Shark Fusion Drop Stitch construction and Crocodile Skin Traction Pad.
- Kit include a floatable paddle, a repair kit, a backpack, a Bravo SUP3 easy pump and a foot leash also a waterproof phone case
- 9 inch Removable Center Box Fin + 2 Side Fins+1 Pieces Comfort Carry Handle+6 D-Rings
- Incredibly Durable: 1 year product quality warranty.Our team has been making inflatable SUP since 2009. We use only the highest quality military grade drop stich construction allowing our boards to get rock hard and remain durable
Shark Paddle Boards
SHARK is one of the many companies that have focused on inflatable stand-up paddleboards. But unlike the others, there is one thing that distinguishes SHARK. That’s their commitment to the environment.
Ironically, there are very few SUP companies that focus on making sustainable paddleboards in order to take care of the environment and prevent the degradation of different bodies of water. SHARK has made it a point to constantly evolve its products to make them more sustainable, durable, and high-performing.
These goals are embedded into the company’s vision. When you take a look at their website, you’ll immediately see the emphasis on ‘constant forward motion’. This is what SHARK considers its motto. This motto, also inspired by sharks themselves, motivates the company to constantly evolve its designs, manufacturing processes, and technologies.
In turn, what you get is a complete package of SHARK’s paddleboard and accessories. Each piece is high-performing in its own right. To add to that, they make a great bargain for the price. And if that isn’t enough, the company offers a 3-year warranty on all of its inflatable paddleboards.
A Quick Overview of the 11’ Shark All Round Cross iSUP
Let’s go back to a number of beginners’ concerns about the size. Based on its name, the 11’ Shark All Round Cross iSUP is 11 feet long. It’s also 34 inches wide. When you look at these dimensions, you’ll easily feel intimidated. However, the All Round Cross line of SHARK was meant to be beginner-friendly.
This iSUP is part of the All Round line of the company geared towards being the first paddleboard you will ever own. As your first ever iSUP, each package comes with a paddle, manual pump, leash, D-rings, carry bag with wheels, and waterproof phone case. There’s nothing else you can possibly need to get started.
What makes this iSUP the best choice for any beginner is that it is easy to maneuver. Yes, even if it’s large, it’s actually very easy to carry around and push on the water. You’re not going to find yourself tiring out while paddling.
Moreover, the 11’ Shark All Round Cross iSUP is a versatile paddleboard. You can use it for SUP yoga, fishing, Pilates, casual, surfing, and casual touring. While it’s not meant for touring (there are touring SUPs for that), it does have decent stability that will allow you to paddle farther from the shore.
Features of the 11’ Shark All Round Cross iSUP
Curious as to what makes this iSUP better than the others? Here are all the features you’ll find on it.
Shark Fusion Technology (SFT)
The SFT is one of the original technologies of SHARK. This technology creates the optimum balance between performance and durability. It’s not just using the best military-grade PVC material; it’s also about knowing if the durability of this material will affect the overall performance of the board. Kudos to SHARK for finding the technology to maximize both.
Shark Kick Tail (SKT)
The SKT enables the 11’ Shark All Round Cross iSUP to maintain the momentum it has when the paddleboard has already picked up its speed. The SKT includes both the EVA foam kick pad and the whole tail part of the paddleboard.
6 D-Rings
This iSUP has a total of 6 D-rings. The first 4 are near the nose of the paddleboard. These D-rings create the bungee system that keeps your cargo in place. The other D-ring is at the tail of the board where the leash will be attached. The last D-ring is found on the underside of the nose for easier towing.
Comfort Carry Handle
The 11’ Shark All Round Cross iSUP has one carry handle found in the middle of the deck pad. It has a different color than the pad so it’s easier to find. This handle makes it easy for you to carry the board once it’s inflated. For the 2021 models, SHARK added another handle at the rear so you can pull your paddleboard easily.
Shark Quick Fit Fin
The Fit Fin System of SHARK is made to make it easy to attach and detach the fins of the paddleboard. There are no screws and nuts included in this mechanism. Instead, it has a secure lock that keeps the fins in place. It’s also compatible with the quick fix foldable fin box from the company.
Shark US Foldable Fin Box
Speaking of the fin box, SHARK has its own US Foldable Fin Box. Since fin boxes are attached to the PVC material, the foldable fin boxes make it easy for you to pack the board when it’s deflated.
3-Piece Foldable Carbon-Shaft Paddle
The 11’ Shark All Round Cross iSUP comes with a 3-piece foldable carbon-shaft paddle. This paddle can be folded easily to fit the backpack that comes with every purchase of this package.
Full UV-Resistant Protection
SHARK ensures that its paddleboards last for a long time. In order to make this possible, SHARK included a full UV-resistant coat on the paddleboard. This UV protection also doesn’t affect the deck and the overall material in terms of feel and appearance.
Pros and Cons of the 11’ Shark All Round Cross iSUP
It seems like there’s nothing bad about the 11’ Shark All Round Cross iSUP, but is it the right paddleboard for you? Here are a few pros and cons to help you decide.
Pros
- Very durable
For a beginner iSUP, the 11’ Shark All Round Cross is very durable and rigid. Anyone who is looking to use a single paddleboard for a long time will love this iSUP. In the long run, it’s also more affordable because you save yourself from getting another paddleboard.
- Price is a bargain given the quality and accessories included
The 11’ Shark All Round Cross may be nearing a thousand dollars in its price but when you look at the whole package, it becomes worth it. You literally don’t need anything else. All you need is to go to the beach and get on the water.
To add to that, the accessories aren’t low-quality either. From the waterproof phone case to the backpack, all these accessories can last a few years with proper care and maintenance.
- Can be used to try other SUP styles
The 11’ Shark All Round Cross iSUP is extremely versatile. It may not be for long expeditions on the water but it allows you to do so many other things. Because it’s big, you can do yoga and Pilates poses comfortably. You don’t have to worry about falling over or touching the water. It’s also ideal for SUP surfing and fishing.
- Can support more than 250 lbs
There are other reviews that this iSUP becomes flimsy when it has a heavier weight on it but in a lot of people’s experience, it’s not the case. The 11’ Shark All Round Cross iSUP is made for heavier weights up to 250 pounds.
Moreover, you’ll notice that the closer you are at 250 lbs, the SFT kicks in and you’ll feel the board becoming sturdier. Even when you bring cargo with you for fishing, it’s not going to wobble.
- UV-protected
Ironically, SUPs should not stay long under the sun during storage. Too much exposure to UV rays when not in water can damage the PVC material. Fortunately, the 11’ Shark All Round Cross iSUP has a UV protection feature all over the paddleboard.
This way, the material lasts longer and remains durable when you take it out under the sun. Of course, you should still keep the iSUP under the shade when you store it.
- Has a 3-year warranty
You can count with your fingers the number of companies that offer this benefit. So if you’re the kind of paddler who wants to make sure they won’t spend a lot on the defects of their iSUP, you’ll be impressed with this one. It doesn’t just give two years, but three!
Cons
- Light paddlers may find this difficult to use
As the largest version of the All Round Cross, this 11-foot iSUP it’s expected to be for larger people. Hence, if you’re lighter than 100 lbs, you’re going to have a hard time handing this iSUP. It’s better to get the smaller version of this.
- Hard to maneuver during windy days
This is probably coming from the size and the rigidity of the paddleboard. You’ll only notice this problem when you paddle during windy days. Even when you have a heavier weight, you’ll still find the board too large to control especially when the waves are bigger.
- Inflating more than 15 PSI is a struggle
The recommended inflation pressure for this iSUP is 18 but when you pump higher than 15 PSI, inflating the paddleboard becomes a struggle. The manual pump gets too rigid so you have to exert more effort to pump more air. Before you even get to the water, you already feel a little bit tired.
- The paddle feels a little loose
Of all the things included in this iSUP’s package, the paddle is the only thing that needs improvement. Sure, it’s durable and all but there are times when the locks feel loose. There is still no incidence of the paddle breaking but it’s inconvenient to fear that it might end there.
How Does the 11’ Shark All Round Cross iSUP Compare with Other Paddle Boards?
Compared to other entry-level paddleboards, this iSUP is relatively bigger. Most boards have a length of 10 feet and a width of 32 inches. But this iSUP is slightly bigger than that. Needless to say, the 11’ Shark All Round Cross iSUP is not for everyone since it doesn’t have the most common sizing.
Nevertheless, the 11’ Shark All Round Cross iSUP is built better than other low-quality inflatable paddleboards. SHARK did a great job having a few innovations on the fin box, fins, deck, and construction. In return, this iSUP performs well regardless of the SUP style you are going for.
As for the different SUP styles, the only thing you won’t be able to do is touring. Since this all-around iSUP has a round hull, it’s not made for speed. This is similar to a lot of all-around iSUPs in the market. Unfortunately, you can’t say this iSUP is faster than the others.
What this iSUP can show you, though, is its rigidity. When you inflate this board to 18 PSI, it becomes so sturdy and rigid it almost feels like a hard paddleboard. Not a lot of iSUPs have that capability since they are still flimsy. As for the 11’ Shark All Round Cross iSUP, you can definitely rely on it all the time.
Verdict - Final Thoughts!
To summarize, the 11’ Shark All Round Cross iSUP is ideal for people who weigh more than 100 pounds. If you’re lighter than that, this iSUP will be too big for you to carry and maneuver on the water. Besides, SHARK has smaller sizes for this iSUP that can best fit your needs.
Nonetheless, the overall performance of the 11’ Shark All Round Cross iSUP is amazing. It is durable, rigid, and steady for any SUP style that you want to try. It’s an excellent entry-level iSUP with all the accessories you need to get your SUP journey started. Plus, it has a 3-year warranty that is very impressive.
