Editor’s note: this is a preview post. Click here to read the full review.
You might not have ever heard of the Bounce SUP 10’6″ Multi-Purpose, but if you’ve been around river SUP long enough you’ve probably heard of the Surftech B1 Bomber. The 10’6″ from Bounce SUP is essentially the new version of the B1 Bomber with (according to Bounce SUP) all of the problems fixed.
The Bounce SUP 10’6″ is marketed as an all around board. It’s long enough for flat water paddling, durable enough for running rivers and has a traditional surf shape for both river and ocean surfing. At 10’6″ long, 31.5″ wide, 4.5″ thick and 210 liters of volume, the board should float and provide plenty of stability for most riders (the manufacturers suggested weight limit is 240lbs).
When compared to the B1 Bomber, this board looks VERY similar… and for good reason. Surftech sold the original molds used to the make the B1 Bomber to Bounce SUP, so the shape is basically identical. Bounce SUP modified the nose slightly in order to reduce the amount of dings/cracks that were occurring around the more pointed nose of the original B1.
The construction of the Bounce SUP 10’6″ is also similar to the B1 Bomber, it’s made of a fiber enclosed in a durable plastic (instead of epoxy). The big difference in the construction is that the new Bounce SUP is made of a repairable material. According to the manufacturer, repairs can be made using a commonplace $30 compound. The original B1 Bomber was basically unrepairable, requiring hundreds of dollars in materials and applicators to fix cracks or dings.
Further improvements found on the new Bounce SUP include an extended deck pad, deeper laid fiber to extend the life of the board, a LiftSUP handle for easier carrying, tie-down points on the nose for carrying gear, and customizable ConnexSUP plugs on the nose, tail and mid-points of the board. All of these are solid upgrades to what was already a good board, AND it’s sold at a cheaper price: $1,149. I’ve only gotten a couple sessions on the Bounce SUP 10’6″, but I’m looking forward to seeing if it meets my expectations as a better version of the B1 Bomber. Check back in a few months for a full review of this board!
Written by | Benjamin
Benjamin Smith is a land locked surfer living in Colorado. He gets his surfing fix on the local rivers, where he SUP surfs standing waves.
Alberto
August 8, 2015 at 1:50 pm
Hello, I was looking for a multipurpose board, for downriver paddling, flat water afternoon walks and if possible river and ocean easy surf.
First I was considering the option of the Starboard Stream, but I am afraid it is too wide for the ocean, and maybe for the surf too.
I am looking to other options in the hard board market, of course, away from carbon boards, but I am still afraid of the durability of epoxy and wood boards like the Starboard Whopper.
what do you think? any other option to consider? could this board match my expectations?
Thanks.
Benjamin
August 10, 2015 at 9:56 pm
Alberto, this board may be a great choice for you. The Multi-Purpose is a jack-of-all-trades, but master-of-none board. It’s durable and can handle all the rock hits that you get running rivers, but the shape isn’t best for handling eddy lines. The shape is great for surfing, but is heavy compared to epoxy boards. It’s good for flat water as well, but there are probably better touring boards out there if you want a flat water specific board.
ALBERTO
August 11, 2015 at 12:56 pm
Too bad that the only dealer that ships to Spain is in France, and they reply a mail to me with the Price: 1400 euros + shipment. Too expensive for us.
Again big brands like starboard and redpaddle are giving best prices for their products.
Benjamin
August 11, 2015 at 8:48 pm
Bummer! Since Bounce SUP is a new company (and based in the USA), they probably don’t have good distribution in Europe yet. You might try contacting them to see if it’s possible for them to ship directly to you.