Pelican is a Canadian company with over 50 years of experience designing and manufacturing kayaks, canoes, pedal boats, fishing boats, and stand up paddle boards. Last year we reviewed the Pelican Flow 116 which is a low-cost rigid Stand Up Paddle Board. This season we wanted to check out one of their lighter inflatable SUPs so we decided on the Pelican Antigua 106 due to its reasonable price point and beginner/intermediate friendly design. Out of the box, the Pelican Antigua 106 comes complete with everything you need to get out on the water and everything fits inside the included carry bag that also doubles as a backpack making transport super easy.
Watch the following overview of the Pelican Antigua 106 Stand Up Paddle Board to get an idea of the features and overall design.
The Pelican Antigua 106 has been redesigned for this season, shedding some added weight (2.5kg / 5.5lbs to be exact) and also getting a graphic update on the deck.
Drop stitch construction is used to keep the Antigua 106 SUP light yet rigid, it is made up of vertical fibers of uniform length which connect the upper and lower faces. They are covered with a polymer coating to form an air-tight cavity which is extremely stiff when inflated to 15 psi. This drop-stitch construction is also what allows Pelican to shape the Antigua 106 and ensure it maintains this form from tail to tip.
This lightweight inflatable SUP has many features including an anti-slip cushioned deck pad for comfort and secure footing that not only looks great but ensures you have the traction needed to stay upright most of the time. There is also a main carry handle in the middle of the board for transport along with one at the front so that you can lash it to another SUP or toa dock to ensure that it doesn’t float away
To maximize stability, Pelican incorporated a 10-inch removable fin which not only provides you with the ability to swap it out for other fin sizes, replace it due to wear and tear but also makes transporting the Antigua 106 much easier as you can now stack it with others on your roof rack or lay it flat on the beach without having to worry about damage.
The Antigua 106 comes with a high-pressure dual action pump, coil leash, and three-piece adjustable paddle, repair kit, and 10in removable fin—all of which fit into the carry bag that can also be worn as a backpack.
The three-piece paddle is fully adjustable for people of varying heights and also breaks down into three smaller sections so that it stows away easily in the carry bag. The ergonomic handle grip ensured you have a firm hold on the paddle and provides a comfortable purchase for longer paddles.
This complete paddling kit is priced right and provides everything you need to get out on the water this summer, whether you are a beginner or intermediate.
The Pelican Antigua 106 is the least expensive Inflatable SUP we’ve reviewed to date which makes it a deal that's hard to pass up. While it is not the most technically advanced or quickest SUP to paddle on flat water due to its rounded nose design it is ideal for those looking to get into SUP paddling without breaking the bank. At just 10’6” the Antigua 106 is a relatively short SUP which makes it easier to transport and also maneuver on the water, this also means, however, that it will not be as fast or track as straight on flat water. To remedy this Pelican mounted a large 10” removable fin which on an inflatable SUP is rare, never mind at this very reasonable price point. The length of the fin allows the board to track impressively well as if it were another foot longer and also helps keep it super stable which is important to those learning to paddle. The fact that you can remove the fin is a huge plus as they do tend to get dinged up on rocks and can even be broken in some situations so it’s nice to know that you can simply replace the fin should this happen.
At just 20lbs the Antigua 106 SUP is easy to carry even for kids or smaller women who may have a more difficult time with heavier boards. With 6” in thickness the Antigua 106 is fairly solid and rigid so it can hold up to 113.4kg / 250lbs which means multiple kids and even heavier adults can enjoy it. While most SUP’s are 11’ or longer, the Antigua 106 is fairly short at just 10’6” but this allows it to be more versatile on the water compared to longer SUPs.
The included paddle is adjustable so people of any height can use it and while it is not a high-end, lightweight paddle it gets the job done. With the built-in ergonomic grip, it is a real pleasure to use for longer periods of time as your hands are comfortable on the grip and will not slip or easily tire. With everything else you need to get out on the water included, the Antigua 106 is a real bargain. The quality of the board is top-notch and while there could be another grab handle at the front of the SUP or a kick pad on the deck pad, what you do get for the money is impressive. The Carry Bag is a little flimsy in design and materials but it still worked well in our testing, it would, however, be nice to see this improved with sturdier materials and construction.
Overall, the Antigua 106 is a good board for those just getting into the sport who don’t want to spend a lot of money or perhaps those with kids who want a SUP that the entire family can enjoy paddling and goofing around on at the cottage.
PROS:
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CONS:
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Price: $849.99CAN / $599.99US
Volume: 327L
Weight: 9.5kg / 20.9lbs
Pressure: 12-15psi
Dimensions: 320 x 81 x 15cm / 126 x 32 x 6in
Capacity: 113.4kg / 250lb
Warranty: 1 Year Limited
Features 1.5/2 Construction 1.5/2 Function 1.5/2 Weight 2/2 Quality / Price 1.5/2 |
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