At The SUP Company, we don't just shift boxes; we paddle what we sell. I’ve spent countless hours testing Jobe boards on the choppy waters of the Solent and the flat sections of the River Itchen, and there is a reason they remain a staple in our test centre fleet year after year.
The reality of the UK market is that it is flooded with cheap, heavy, glued-together boards. Jobe stands apart because they moved away from that years ago. Their commitment to Heat Bonded Technology changed the game for mid-priced boards.
If you are looking for a board that is genuinely lightweight (making the carry from the car park to the beach a breeze) but stiff enough to handle a bit of chop, Jobe is often where we point customers. They offer a premium finish without the eye-watering price tag of some other top-tier brands, and they back it up with a 5-year warranty.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the range, explain the tech without the jargon, and help you decide which board actually fits your life.
The Tech: Why "Heat Bonded" Matters
You’ll see this phrase plastered all over Jobe marketing, but what does it actually mean for you on the water?
Most budget boards are made by gluing layers of PVC together. Glue is heavy, messy, and over time, it’s the weak point that fails. Jobe’s Heat Bonded Technology thermally fuses the layers of the board using machine-controlled heat.
The result?
- Weight Savings: These boards are roughly 25% lighter than traditional double-layer boards.
- Stiffness: Because there’s no flexible glue between layers, the board is naturally stiffer and more responsive.
- Durability: Less human error in the construction means fewer seam failures. This is why Jobe is confident enough to offer that 5-year warranty.
The Package: What’s in the Box?
A board is only as good as the kit that comes with it. If you buy a great board but a rubbish pump, you’ll arrive at the water angry and tired. Jobe has standardised their "Aero" package, and it’s solid.
- The Paddle: You typically get a 3-piece fiberglass paddle (often with 40% carbon content in the higher-end packages like the Yarra and Duna). It’s lighter than the standard alloy paddles you get with cheap supermarket boards, meaning you can paddle longer without shoulder fatigue.
- The Pump: Most packages include a high-quality double-action pump.
- The Bag: A waterproof backpack that actually fits the board. No wrestling matches in the car park trying to get it back in.
- The Leash: A coiled leash (essential for flat water safety).
The Jobe Range Explained
To make this simple, I’ve broken the range down by who you are and what you want to do.
1. The Best Seller (The All-Rounder)
Model: Jobe Yarra 10.6
This is the board that 80% of our customers end up with, and for good reason. At 10’6” long and 32” wide, it hits the "Goldilocks" zone of stability and manoeuvrability.
- Who is it for? Beginners to intermediates up to around 100kg.
- Why we love it: It’s incredibly stable but because of the heat-bonded construction, it doesn’t feel like a sluggish barge. It turns easily and is robust enough for families where kids might be jumping on and off.
- UK Conditions: Perfect for rivers, lakes, and calm coastal days.
2. The Distance Machine (Touring)
Model: Jobe Duna 11.6
If you’ve mastered the basics and want to go further, faster, this is the step up. The Duna is narrower (31”) and longer (11’6”).
- Who is it for? Paddlers who want to cover distance. If your idea of a good session is paddling 5km up the river for a coffee, this is your board.
- The Trade-off: It is slightly less stable than the Yarra when you are standing still, but much more stable when moving because it cuts through the water rather than pushing it.
- Why it works: The pointed nose (displacement hull shape) tracks straighter, meaning you change sides with your paddle less often.
3. The Family Stable Platform
Model: Jobe Loa 11.6
Think of the Loa as the "big brother" to the Yarra. It’s 11’6” long but keeps a wide 34” profile.
- Who is it for? Larger paddlers (100kg+) or families who want to put a child or dog on the front.
- Why we love it: It offers the massive stability of a large board but adds a huge EVA deck pad so your passenger has somewhere comfortable to sit (without slipping off).
4. The Comparison Table
| Model | Length | Width | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yarra | 10'6" | 32" | All-Round / First Board |
| Duna | 11'6" | 31" | Touring / Glide |
| Loa | 11'6" | 34" | Stability / Families |
| Neva | 12'6" | 30" | Fast Touring / Performance |
| Mohaka | 10'2" | 31" | Windsurf & SUP Crossover |
Specialist Boards: Wind & Electric
Jobe isn't afraid to innovate, and we see a lot of interest in their crossover boards at the test centre.
The WindSUP: Jobe Mohaka 10.2
If you want to dabble in windsurfing without buying a van full of hard boards, the Jobe Mohaka is a brilliant solution. It has a mast foot insert built into the deck and an extra "centre fin" underneath to help you stay upwind. It paddles well as a standard SUP, but when the wind picks up, you can rig a sail and get moving.
The Electric Assist: Jobe E-Duna
This features a jet engine integrated into the board. It’s not an e-foil; it’s a paddle assist. It’s fantastic for paddlers who might need a little help fighting a tide or wind, or for those who just want to extend their range.
Try Before You Buy
Reading a blog is great, but feeling the difference on the water is better. We run the UK's largest SUP Test Centre at Woodmill in Southampton.
We have the Jobe Yarra, Duna, and others available to demo. You can test them back-to-back against other brands like Red Paddle Co or Starboard to see which construction feels right for you.
- Cost: £25 per person (fully refundable against a board purchase).
- Advice: We’ll set you up, watch you paddle, and give you honest feedback on your stance and board choice.
Book a Test Centre Session Here >
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the warranty on Jobe Paddleboards?
Every Jobe inflatable paddleboard comes with a 5-year warranty.