The Fanatic Ray Air Pure 12’6” 2020
Fanatic’s Ray Air Touring range has been growing and improving with the 12’6 Ray Air Pure one of the boards Fanatic has focused on as it’s a fantastic gateway size and shape for riders looking to experiment with a more pure touring outline. Fanatic have introduced the Ray Air in 2 different constructions and also in 2 different sizes. We have been testing the 12’6” x 32, this size is more than ample to take a beginner intermediate rider and give them their first touring board experience. The 12’6” Ray Air Pure has been improved over the years and now sports a narrower tail which offers better Turning when stepping back, and also a better release of water to assist the speed and directional stability.
The nose shape has also been improved to be a bit stiffer to avoid the wobble nose in choppy water, this also stops the wobble resonating back through the deck and into your feet. The Fanatic Diamond deck pad is comfortable and well positioned to give you plenty of room to walk around and find that perfect foot placement. The Ray Air comes as standard with a bungee cargo area for those days where you fancy some serious touring.
The Ray Air is a board that is comfortable in many conditions, if your going to spend more time in relatively flat water then you may prefer to change your fin to a more swept back (weed shape for for more straight line drive, we feel that a Surf shape fin seems a little pointless in a touring shape board.
As a standard package the Fanatic Ray Air 12’6 comes with a fanatic Alloy adjustable 3 piece paddle. Adjustable from 165 cm – 220 cm, anyone – no matter their size – can use the paddle effectively. The highly durable nylon blade can withstand the inevitable impacts from an inexperienced paddler and recreational use. The aluminum shaft is durable and stiff (if on the heavy side), but also has an oval shape, meaning it fits nicely between your thumb and forefinger, allowing the shaft to sit so that the blade is perpendicular to the side of the board. This is also great for inexperienced paddlers, as the blade will likely be spending more time in the correct position, creating a better technique.
This is assisted by the Fanatic Union Joint System, which works to create a more seamless connection between blade and shaft – the blade tapers to an RDM joint, which creates constant flex, enabling spring and response in each stroke, maximizing power transfer.A removable foam collar gives the paddle buoyancy, so you won’t lose it if it ends up in the water. For the ultimate in value for money for beginners in SUP (or recreational use).
Like most Alloy paddles it is a bit weighty but if it is going to see some family use or simply a wide range of people and abilities then it is a decent paddle that easily can stand up to the abuse. If however you are buying this paddle board for ‘you’, then we would recommend upgrading your paddle to a higher, lighter weight spec such as the Fanatic Carbon 35 3 piece.
The paddle is the most important part of your package. And often overlooked to save on price. If you imagine your Paddle is basically you engine, so much like a car yes the looks are important but its whats really powering that the makes the really difference to how your board will perform.
Check out the Upgrades available to you here.
The pump which comes with all Fanatic paddle boards is a Single cylinder pump with a Double action option called the Fanatic HP2 Power Pump this means that you can basically fill a good percentage of the board with the double action, but once this becomes difficult you can flick a switch on the back of the pump and it will go to a single cylinder allowing you to get those all important final PSI’s that make all the difference to how your Fanatic Ray Air will perform on the water. The Fanatic Sup pump Also includes the important gauge, this is colour coded to show you when you have the correct pressure in the board. Pumping up inflatables is not the Easiest so if you feel that you need more assistance then why not have a look at our range of O’Brien electric pumps.
The Fanatic bag system is one of our favourite inflatable SUP bags. Often we get asked if the boards go back in the bag they came out of and with Fanatic they have considered this factor. In fact the same bag serves their entire range of Fanatic paddle boards, with upgrades once you move to the premium boards range. The bag will hold Board, 3- piece paddle, and pump. Fanatic have given careful consideration to the Premium bag and with some superbly padded ruck sack straps, and waist band this backpack is the best on the market for carrying your SUP.
Fanatic have added lots of pockets to the bag and so that you can really take everything you need to have a great day on the water. Fanatic has also added wheels to the backpack and this is a great option if you are traveling with the board through and airport or your lucky enough to have a nice smooth boardwalk to your local beach.
The SUP Company supply the Fanatic Ray Air 12’6” with a coiled leash as standard. This is often the preferred option for many as a coiled leash has the benefit of staying on the paddle board and not dragging along in the water, collecting weed, twigs and so on. If however you plan to spend more time in the surf, then we would recommend either asking for leash to be swapped to a straight line surf leash or add one to your order.
As we say in all of our reviews – please remember that a leash is an essential piece of equipment and never an option. Without it attached securely to the paddler and their board, if and when you part company with your board, you will loose your board. So please fit your leash correctly and use it each time you paddle.
