Gear Review: Hydrus Board Tech King Dub 2.0

Value Rating: 10 Durability Rating: 10 Overall Rating: 10 Location of Test: Willamette River Duration: Demo Product Name: King Dub 2.0 Product Brand: Hydrus Board Tech Best Use: Down River SUP Size Available: 9'8"x 34" 305L The Full Review The King Dub is an epic answer to a long developing question: how to make a rigid SUP durable enough to withstand the rigorous beatings associated with whitewater paddling. I didn't get to take this down a rapid, but by extrapolating I can tell that this board would be loose enough to maneuver quickly but track well enough to be able to build some speed up and keep a line when necessary. The Good: The fin is recessed so it doesn't actually protrude beyond the bottom of the board - there is a deep cut out leading up to the fin, so even without the fin in place the shape of the board provides a bit of tracking aid. It is also COATED IN A BULLETPROOF MATERIAL called armalite: at a quarter inch thick it is bullet proof to a .22. The Bad: It's a little heavier than your average board that size, but then again, the playing field these boards are intended for is not gentle. The Bottom Line: Great board, revolutionary shape, made in AMERICA by guys that actually get out there.