Photo: Starboard Generation product page

Starboard

Starboard · Touring / racing hybrid SUP

Starboard Generation Review

9.0/ 10 Estimated score

9.0

Estimated from 3 independent sources (no numeric scores published)

Average price€1,399Range €1,399–€1,399 across 1 retailersSee sources

The Starboard Generation is the brand's touring, surfing and racing hybrid — a one-board quiver aimed at paddlers who want distance capability without a dedicated race hull. Starboard lists it as a three-time SUPConnect Gear of the Year winner.

View on Starboard

Quick specs

Type: Touring / racing hybrid SUP
Positioning: 3-in-1 one-board quiver (surf, touring, race)
Sizes (Lite Tech): 12'6" x 28" / 30", 14'0" x 26" / 28" / 30"
Constructions: Multiple, including Lite Tech and inflatable Deluxe
Awards: SUPConnect Gear of the Year 2021, 2023, 2025
Verified price (Lite Tech): €1,399 (12'6" x 28") to €1,449

Starboard positions the Generation as a touring, surfing and racing hybrid designed to be a simple choice in every condition — a high-performance all-round paddle board rather than a specialist. The official listing prices the Lite Tech versions between €1,399 and €1,449 depending on size.

SUPboarder Magazine has reviewed the Generation across both composite and inflatable versions, comparing the 12'6" x 30" against the equivalent iSUP to show how much of the shape's performance survives the move to an inflatable construction.

Pros & cons

Genuine crossover: touring range with race-influenced glide
Wide size matrix across 12'6" and 14'0" lengths and three widths
Available in both composite and inflatable constructions
Three separate SUPConnect Gear of the Year awards listed by Starboard

A dedicated race board is still faster in flat water
Longer lengths are harder to store and transport than a 10'6" all-rounder
Composite pricing is well above entry-level inflatables

How it surfs

Choose the Generation when your paddling mixes coastal touring, the occasional race and some open-water bumps. Committed racers will still be quicker on the Sprint, and casual flatwater paddlers get more convenience from a shorter inflatable. The value here is that one board covers the middle of that range competently.

Volume & sizing chart

Use the chart below as a starting point. Add half a litre if you are less experienced, subtract half a litre for a looser feel.

Size	Volume	Rider weight	Best for
12'6" x 28"	Lite Tech	Lighter paddlers, tighter turning	Intermediate
12'6" x 30"	Lite Tech	All-round stability	All levels
14'0" x 26" / 28" / 30"	Lite Tech	Distance and downwind	Intermediate to advanced

How it compares

Board	Best at	Wave range	Aggregate score
Starboard Touring	Pure touring comfort	Flatwater / distance	8.8
Starboard Sprint	Dedicated flatwater race	Race	8.8
Red Paddle Co Ride 10'6	All-round inflatable	Flatwater & coast	9.3

Verdict

Verified sources back the Generation as a credible one-board quiver: broad size matrix, both composite and inflatable options, and repeated SUPConnect Gear of the Year recognition.

Estimated score: 9.0 / 10

Estimated from 3 independent sources — see full list below.

What reviewers around the web are saying

Surfex does not test gear directly. Below are independent retailer and editorial sources. When a source publishes a numeric score, it is normalized to a five-point scale; otherwise the source is listed without a score.

Estimated score

9.0/ 10

9.0

3 sources, none scored

Source	Score	Summary
SUPboarder Magazine — Starboard Generation	No numeric score	"SUPboarder's guide reviews the Generation across six sizes and four technologies, testing the 12'6" x 30" as the reference size."
SUPboarder Magazine — composite vs inflatable comparison	No numeric score	"SUPboarder compares the inflatable Generation directly against the composite version to show where each construction wins."
Starboard official product page	No numeric score	"Starboard's live listing confirms the 3-in-1 positioning, current size matrix, Lite Tech pricing and the SUPConnect Gear of the Year awards."

Where to buy & average price

Listed prices come from verified retailer pages. The average price below is an unweighted mean of verified retailer prices — converted to USD (≈) when retailers list in different currencies. Click any retailer to verify the native-currency price.

Average price

€1,399

€1,399–€1,399 · 1 retailers

Retailer	Price	vs. average
Starboard (Lite Tech, 12'6" x 28")	€1,399	—	Visit

Frequently asked questions

What is the Starboard Generation designed for?+

Starboard describes it as a touring, surfing and racing hybrid — a one-board quiver for paddlers who mix distance paddling with occasional racing and open water.

What sizes does the Generation come in?+

The current Lite Tech listing shows 12'6" x 28" and 30", plus 14'0" x 26", 28" and 30".

How much does it cost?+

Starboard lists Lite Tech versions at €1,399 for the 12'6" x 28" and €1,449 for the other listed sizes.

Is there an inflatable Generation?+

Yes. Starboard offers inflatable constructions, and SUPboarder has compared the inflatable directly with the composite version.

Generation or Touring?+

Choose Touring for pure comfort-focused distance paddling. Choose Generation if you also want race-influenced glide and open-water capability from the same board.