Jimmy Styks Miler 11’6” Stand Up Paddle Board

The Miler is a rigid SUP which features a triple layer epoxy construction with a carbon fibre reinforced nose and real bamboo inlay which all add up to creating a durable board that’s still light weight. Weighing in at just 30lbs this 11’6” SUP is by no means heavy, thanks to its expanded polystyrene core it’s easy to carry with one hand for even those weak at heart.

The board’s displacement hull allows it to slice through the water with ease while still being stable enough for beginners. Its 30” width and 11’6” length means it has enough girth to prevent even beginners from falling, while its length provides a long sleek shape that easily glides through the water with each paddle stroke. The Miler 11’6” is the ideal combination of an intermediate paddle board which provides more of a high performance feel.

For the reasonable price of $999US you get the Miler board along with an adjustable carbon fibre paddle, a 10' coil leash, a Click N’ Go touring fin and a 12’ pointed board bag. This is great value for a board of this quality and if the 11’6” is not long enough then Jimmy Styks has you covered with their 12’6” version for $1,099US.

The most innovative feature of the Miler SUP is the Click N’ Go touring fin which uses a built in adjustable wing to fasten the fin in the boards fin box. There is no nut and bolt to lose like on traditional fin installations and if you want to remove the fin for storage or transportation it’s a quick and simple process

• Epoxy fibreglass construction around an expanded polystyrene core makes it light and durable.
• Displacement hull for easy tracking through the water.
• Carbon fibre reinforcement around the nose for durability and strength.
• Utility tie downs to hold all your gear.
• DynaSoft deck pad offers grip and comfort.
• Camera mount ready.

• Adjustable carbon fibre paddle
• 10' coil leash
• Click N’ Go touring fin
• 12’ pointed board bag

The Jimmy Styks Miler is an easy to paddle SUP that tracks well on open water and can also take on small waves when things get rough. Thanks to its displacement hull design the Miler is efficient at cutting through the water and you’ll cruise along with little effort from each paddle stroke. Unlike inflatable stand up paddle boards the rigid epoxy fibreglass construction of the Miler has less drag in the water while still being durable. Its finish is not as chip prone as that of the Tahoe Zephyr which is a good thing as you are bound to bump into obstacles when you least expect it. The Miler’s durability doesn't come at the expense of its weight however since it's built around a polystyrene core which keeps the overall weight respectable at just 30lbs. Compared to other rigid boards with similar dimensions I did find the Miler slightly more tippy, however it’s still an easy paddle for beginners and they’ll appreciate how well it tracks well with little paddle correction.

I tested the Jimmy Styks Miler 11’6” SUP on several short day paddles as well as a few multi-day paddle board camping trips on Kootenay Lake located near Nelson BC. With plenty of float I was able to load up the Miler with gear and food for several days while not sacrificing the efficiency of the board progress through the water. Jimmy Styks rates the weight capacity of the Miler at 175lbs but this has to be an error as I weigh that alone.

The biggest plus of the Miler aside from all the extras you get with the board (adjustable carbon fibre paddle, 10' coil leash, Click N’ Go touring fin, 12’ pointed board bag) is the Click N’ Go Touring Fin. This fin design uses an ingenious mechanism that allows for effortless installation and extraction of the fin with little fuss or effort. Typical fins use a bolt and nut which are easy to drop or lose when trying to install the fin. Jimmy Styks Click N’ Go Touring Fin is just that, click it in and go. This makes the fin easy to remove prior to transporting the SUP to ensure that it won’t get damaged. If you do happen to damage the fin you can purchase another one for only $29US from the Jimmy Styks web site.

With only a few minor draw backs the Jimmy Styks Miler 11’6” is a solid SUP which provides great value and fun times for beginner and more advanced paddlers alike. Check it out and take the Miler for a test paddle if the opportunity arrises and you’ll see what I mean.