Red Paddle Co 12’6 x 28 Sport Future Series - Ex Demo

Red Paddle Co 12'6 x 28 Sport Future Series - Ex Demo

The Red Paddle Co 12'6 x 28 Sport Future Series is for paddlers who already feel comfortable on a SUP and want noticeably more glide, speed and efficiency than a conventional all-round inflatable. At just 28 inches wide, this is the more performance-focused 12'6 Sport+ shape: quicker through the water, easier to paddle at a higher cadence and particularly rewarding over longer distances.

This ex-demo board has been used on the water for demonstration purposes, making it a great opportunity to buy one of Red Paddle Co's highest-performance touring inflatables for less than a new example. It is supplied with a Red Paddle Co board bag, Titan II pump, touring fin and coiled leash. The fin and leash are both used.

If you are moving up from a 10'6 or 10'8 all-round board and find yourself increasingly paddling longer river, lake, canal or coastal routes, this is exactly the sort of upgrade that makes those miles feel easier.

Who is the 12'6 x 28 Sport best for?

• Intermediate and experienced paddlers looking for more speed and glide.
• Lighter paddlers who do not need the extra width of a 30-32in touring board.
• Fitness paddling, longer river and canal routes and fast recreational touring.
• Coastal and estuary paddling in appropriate conditions.
• Paddlers wanting something significantly faster than a typical all-round inflatable without moving to a dedicated race board.

The 28in width is an important part of the appeal. It allows you to plant the paddle closer to the centre line of the board, helping produce a cleaner stroke and better straight-line efficiency. The trade-off is that it is less forgiving than wider boards, so complete beginners or anyone prioritising maximum stability may be better with an alternative touring paddleboard.

Why choose the Future Series?

The Future Series uses Red Paddle Co's lightweight MSL 800 double-drop-stitch construction. In practical terms, that means a lighter, stiffer platform with less flex beneath your feet. On a 12'6 board that matters: less energy is lost through the board bending as you paddle, helping it maintain momentum between strokes.

The board is also only 4.7in thick, so you stand closer to the water than on many 6in touring inflatables. This gives it a more connected, controlled feel and helps the board feel less affected by side winds.

Designed to cover distance efficiently

• 12'6 waterline: noticeably better glide and tracking than shorter all-round SUPs.
• 28in performance width: reduces drag and allows a more efficient paddle stroke.
• MSL 800 construction: lightweight and impressively stiff for an inflatable board.
• 4.7in thickness: keeps the paddler lower to the water for a connected, balanced feel.
• Speed Tail: a defined release edge at the tail helps water separate cleanly from the board, reducing drag.
• Tapered nose: helps the board move cleanly through flat water and light chop.
• Touring cargo area: useful for carrying a dry bag, footwear, extra layers or supplies on longer paddles.
• US fin box: makes it easy to replace or experiment with compatible touring fins.

Specifications

What's included?

• Red Paddle Co 12'6 x 28 Sport Future Series inflatable paddleboard - ex demo
• Red Paddle Co board bag
• Red Paddle Co Titan II pump
• Touring fin - used
• Coiled SUP leash - used

Please note: a paddle is not included with this package. If you are buying a board this efficient, a lighter paddle is one of the most worthwhile upgrades you can make. Browse our SUP paddles for suitable touring and carbon options.

12'6 x 28 or a wider Sport?

This is the quicker choice. A wider 30in or 32in Sport will give you more initial stability, but the 28in board rewards a confident paddler with less drag and a more direct feel.

For someone coming from a wide 10'6 all-round board, there will be an adjustment period. Once accustomed to the narrower platform, however, the improvement in glide and distance per stroke is immediately apparent. Read our Red Paddle Co Sport range comparison if you want a more detailed explanation of the different Sport models.

Our buying advice

Choose this board if your priority is actually paddling somewhere rather than simply having maximum stability underneath you. It is particularly good for regular paddlers who cover 5km, 10km or longer sessions and want to maintain a comfortable cruising speed without continually feeling as though they are pushing a wide board through the water.

If you are a complete beginner, regularly carry children or dogs, or simply want the most stable platform possible, we would look elsewhere. You can compare other touring paddleboards or browse the complete Red Paddle Co range.

If you are unsure whether 28 inches is right for you, you can also visit our SUP Test Centre at Woodmill to compare different board widths and paddle setups on the water.

Ex-demo condition

This board has been used as part of our demonstration fleet and should therefore be expected to show normal cosmetic signs associated with careful use, inflation, packing and transport. The supplied fin and leash are also used. Ex-demo equipment is an excellent way to access higher-specification kit at a reduced price when pristine retail packaging is not important.

Frequently asked questions

Useful links

• Shop Red Paddle Co
• Compare touring paddleboards
• Choose a SUP paddle
• Read our Red Paddle Co Sport comparison
• Visit the Woodmill SUP Test Centre