Starboard All Star or Starboard Gen R? If you are considering a serious race paddleboard, these are two names worth understanding before choosing a width and spending money on a board that may be either brilliant or unnecessarily difficult for where you actually paddle.
The headline difference: the All Star is the broad open-water, all-conditions race workhorse, while the Gen R is aimed at combining race speed with a different balance of glide, handling and usability across flat-water and varied conditions. The precise trade-off depends on model year, construction and size. This is a buyer's guide to the riding brief, not a claim that one model is objectively faster for every paddler.
Quick comparison: All Star vs Gen R
| Question | Starboard All Star | Starboard Gen R |
|---|---|---|
| Main aim | Proven all-conditions racing and challenging water | Fast racing with versatile glide and accessible handling in suitable sizes |
| Where to start? | Open water, technical racing, cross-chop and downwind-minded race use | Mixed courses including flats and bumps; test against the All Star for your venue |
| For maximum flat-water straight-line speed? | Very capable, but not a single-purpose flat-water specialist | Very capable; consider dedicated flat-water designs too |
| Which is more stable? | Compare width and year, not the name alone | Compare width and year, not the name alone |
| Best buying approach | Choose by normal race conditions and ability | Choose by real-world feel and the courses you race |
Why Starboard offers both
The race market isn't one discipline. A board that feels rapid on a flat canal time trial may not be the same board you'd choose for a gusty Solent race with boat wash, bumps and technical buoy turns. The All Star and Gen R address that overlap from different directions, giving racers an opportunity to prioritise stability, glide and control based on where they paddle.
They are both serious race boards. Don't buy the Gen R assuming it is an entry-level board simply because you like the sound of its handling, and don't buy the All Star assuming it will automatically suit the most advanced paddler. The wrong width can make either a tiring choice.
All Star: why it remains a race benchmark
All Star has built a reputation as a genuinely versatile race design, particularly when conditions are less than perfect. That is relevant for UK paddlers. Cross-chop, short-period wind waves, tide and boat wash often matter as much as pure hull efficiency. A board that lets you apply consistent power without bracing every few strokes can be the faster choice over a real race course.
If you mainly paddle open coastal water, All Star deserves a place at the top of your demo list. Its construction and width options are important, and model-year shape revisions can affect how one particular board feels.
Gen R: a different race compromise
The Gen R offers another way to get race performance without assuming every paddler wants the same feel as an All Star. Its appeal is a versatile race platform for paddlers mixing flatter water, bumps, training and technical racing. In the right conditions, the balance of acceleration, glide and confidence can be especially attractive.
However, don't equate that with a promise that Gen R always wins flat-water races. Equipment, board width, rider weight, technique and water state all decide the outcome. These are close enough in purpose that a demo, when available, is more useful than taking a single marketing adjective literally.
Which board for UK coastal racing?
At venues around the Solent, Hayling, Poole or the Witterings, we would start by asking how often you race in gusty chop versus flatter water. If you regularly face side chop and changing conditions, prioritise a board that holds your confidence and lets you keep applying power. All Star is an obvious comparison point; Gen R belongs in that test as well.
The most technically advanced shape is not always the quickest for an intermediate racer. A slightly wider board that lets you commit to a full stroke can outperform a narrower option on which you are constantly correcting balance.
All Star vs Gen R for flat-water races
On calm water, tracking, glide and sustained cadence matter greatly. Either model can work, but paddlers whose sole aim is flat-water race performance should also compare Starboard's more specialist flat-water race offerings where available. Choose the hull that matches your actual courses rather than forcing an all-conditions model to win a category it was not designed solely around.
Does width matter more than model name?
For many paddlers, yes. Width affects balance, waterline interaction, stroke access, fatigue and ultimately the power you can put down. Jumping from a stable 26-inch board to a very narrow elite race shape is a substantial skill step. A paddler who can comfortably race at 23.5 or 24.5 inches may find that more productive than struggling at 21–22 inches.
Exact available widths change with year and construction, so compare the size charts for the precise model you're considering. Don't simply copy a professional racer's width: they may have entirely different balance, training volume and race conditions.
Which would we choose for a first race board?
We would begin with a suitable width and predictable stability, not the “fastest” model in the range. If you are moving from a 12'6 touring SUP to a 14' hard race board, both the feel of the cockpit/deck and the way the hull rolls will need getting used to. It can be worth keeping a little spare stability while learning race starts, turns and rough-water power application.
For customers comparing inflatables, remember that an All Star Airline inflatable is a very different proposition from a rigid carbon All Star or Gen R. Transport and storage may make the inflatable the better real-world answer even when a rigid board has the performance advantage.
Construction, durability and transport
A race SUP is an investment. Premium carbon construction can deliver low weight and a responsive feel, but transport, impact protection, storage and careful handling matter. If your car cannot safely carry a 14' hard board, an inflatable race board may give you more time actually paddling and practising. A technically perfect hard-board purchase that never leaves the garage is not a good purchase.
When to consider Generation instead
If you want to train and tour at pace but you are not focused on race results, consider Starboard Generation. It is the broader all-water crossover. All Star and Gen R are more appropriate when racing and performance are the central reasons for buying. Read our Generation vs Touring comparison if versatility and longer trips matter more.
Our verdict: which Starboard race SUP should you buy?
Choose All Star as the starting point if all-conditions race capability, especially in coastal or messy water, is a high priority. Choose Gen R if you want to compare another serious race platform and value its balance of glide, responsiveness and usability on the courses you paddle. In both cases choose the right width rather than the most intimidating spec.
Tell The SUP Company your bodyweight, current board and width, race distances, usual water and whether you want to train or actually compete. We can help assess available sizes and constructions. Browse our Starboard range or discuss options with the team.
Starboard All Star vs Gen R FAQs
Is Gen R faster than All Star?
There is no meaningful universal answer. Different water states, widths, rider skills and model years make a material difference.
Which Starboard is better in chop?
All Star is a natural benchmark for all-conditions racing, but compare the specific width and construction against Gen R for your own stability and technique.
What width should an intermediate racer buy?
Choose a width at which you can maintain full power for the race duration, not just stand on it in calm water. Demo if possible and downsize progressively.
Are All Star Airline and All Star carbon the same board?
No. Inflatable and rigid construction change the board feel and handling. Compare the actual product specifications.
Should I buy a 14' board?
For many race formats, a 14' race board is a standard choice, but you should check your event class, storage and transport constraints before purchasing.