Have you ever wanted to glide across the water like a fish? Or maybe you want to explore calm lakes and rivers while getting a great workout? The Niphean Pro 12’6″ stand up paddleboard (SUP) might be exactly what you’re looking for! This amazing board is like having a swimming pool float, a kayak, and a fitness machine all rolled into one.
What Makes This Paddleboard Special?
The Niphean Pro 12’6″ is not just any ordinary paddleboard. It’s 12 feet and 6 inches long, which makes it longer than most boards you see at the beach. It’s also 33 inches wide, making it extra stable and roomy. Think of it as a floating platform that won’t tip over easily, even if you’re just learning how to paddleboard.
The Niphean Pro 12’6 offers a unique size and shape combining the length of a standard touring SUP with the width of an all-around cruiser paddle board. This means you get the best of both worlds – it’s stable like a beginner board but can also go fast and far like boards used by experts.
Super Strong Construction That Lasts
One of the coolest things about this paddleboard is how it’s made. It’s not like those cheap pool floats that pop easily. The Niphean Pro 12’6″ uses something called “drop stitch construction.” This means thousands of tiny threads hold the top and bottom together, making it stay flat and strong when you pump it up with air.
The inner core of the Niphean Pro 12’6 is built with a traditional knitted drop stitch core. The company also added carbon fiber strips to make it even stronger. Carbon fiber is the same material used in race cars and airplanes because it’s super light but incredibly strong.
The edges of the board are welded together using heat instead of just being glued. This is much stronger and won’t come apart even in hot weather. Welding the inner rail to the top and bottom also helps eliminate errors from hand-gluing and provides a more reliable connection in hot environments.
Amazing Features That Make Paddling Fun
This paddleboard comes with so many cool features, it’s like a Swiss Army knife for the water! Let’s look at what makes it so special:
Digital Pressure Gauge
The board has a built-in digital screen that tells you how much air is inside. Niphean also includes a digital pressure gauge built into the tail of the board to help monitor pressure. This is super helpful because you always know if your board has enough air to be safe and perform well.
Tons of Storage Space
The front and back of the board have bungee cords and special rings where you can tie down your stuff. You can bring a cooler full of snacks, a dry bag with your phone and keys, or even camping gear for longer trips. The front cargo area stretches between six D-rings and can accommodate medium and large dry bags.
Fishing Ready
If you like to fish, this board is perfect! It has special mounting spots where you can attach fishing rod holders. Niphean inflatable paddle board comes equipped with modular mounting bases for fishing rods, coolers, cameras, and more. You can turn your paddleboard into a floating fishing platform.
Camera Mount
There’s even a special spot on the front where you can attach a GoPro camera to record your adventures. There is a GoPro-ready threaded mount on the nose of the board for cameras and other small accessories along with a carrying handle.
Cup Holder
The board comes with a cup holder that screws right in, so you can bring your favorite drink along for the ride. Perfect for staying hydrated on sunny days!
Turns Into a Kayak Too!
Here’s something really cool – this paddleboard can turn into a kayak! It comes with an inflatable seat that you can attach to the board. Niphean includes an inflatable kayak seat and foot brace with the Pro 12’6. The paddle that comes with it can also be changed from a single-blade SUP paddle to a double-blade kayak paddle.
This means if you get tired of standing up, you can just sit down and paddle like you’re in a kayak. It’s perfect for longer trips or if your legs get tired.
How Does It Feel on the Water?
Super Stable and Beginner Friendly
The most important thing about any paddleboard is whether it tips over easily. The good news is that the Niphean Pro 12’6″ is incredibly stable. While standing and paddling normally, the Niphean Pro 12’6 feels very stable with no rolling or twitching.
Even if you rock back and forth, the board responds smoothly and predictably. Rocking side to side was easy and smooth with the rails submerging and resurfacing predictably, and I could easily hold the board on its edge without much wobbling. This makes it perfect for beginners who are worried about falling in the water.
Goes Fast and Glides Well
Even though it’s stable, this board can still move pretty fast when you want it to. In our sprinting and top speed tests, the Niphean Pro 12’6 scored more like an all-around iSUP with an average sprinting speed of 5.0 MPH at 75 strokes per minute, and a maximum speed of 5.5 MPH.
For cruising along at a relaxed pace, you don’t need to paddle very hard to keep moving. The long shape of the board helps it glide through the water smoothly.
Easy to Turn
Some long paddleboards are hard to turn around, but not this one! With basic turning strokes (forward sweeps) I was able to turn the Niphean Pro 12’6 in a complete circle with an average of just 5.5 strokes. This makes it easy to change direction quickly or spin around to look at something interesting.
Special Fins for Different Adventures
The board comes with different fins that you can swap out depending on what you want to do:
Regular Touring Fin
The main fin is designed for long-distance paddling. It helps the board go straight and cuts through the water efficiently.
StabilTrac Fin
There’s also a huge fin called the “StabilTrac” that goes in the middle of the board. This extremely large fin in the center of the board will absolutely improve your tracking performance. This fin is great if you want to go perfectly straight, but it makes the board harder to turn.
Everything You Need in the Box
When you buy the Niphean Pro 12’6″, you get everything you need to start paddling right away:
- The paddleboard itself
- A heavy-duty backpack to carry everything
- A high-quality pump to inflate the board
- A 4-piece paddle that converts to a kayak paddle
- An inflatable kayak seat with foot brace
- Different fins for different activities
- A safety leash to keep you connected to the board
- A repair kit in case of emergencies
- A waterproof phone bag
- A threaded cup holder
That is a rather extensive kit. The double action hand pump and heavy duty backpack are very welcome upgrades from the base series Niphean iSUP kits, and you also get the well-shaped kayak seat and full kayak convertible paddle.
The Paddle Is Really Good Too
The paddle that comes with this board is much better than what you usually get with paddleboards. The new Niphean composite paddle uses a blend of fiberglass, carbon fiber, and nylon to create a midweight, mid-flex paddle shaft with an impressive paddle blade design.
It’s made with a mix of strong materials that make it light but not too bendy. The blade shape is perfect for both casual paddling and longer trips. The size was just right for combination cruising and touring where it was large enough to easily propel you with a few strokes, but small enough that you could easily paddle at a higher cadence.
Who Should Get This Paddleboard?
The Niphean Pro 12’6″ is perfect for many different types of people:
Beginners
If you’ve never tried paddleboarding before, this board is great because it’s so stable. You won’t feel like you’re going to tip over every time you move.
Families
The board is big enough and stable enough for kids to try paddleboarding too. Plus, with all the storage space, you can bring everything the family needs for a day on the water.
Fishing Enthusiasts
With the fishing rod holders and stable platform, this board turns into an awesome fishing spot that can go anywhere there’s water.
Adventure Seekers
If you like to explore new places, the storage space lets you bring camping gear, food, and supplies for longer trips.
Fitness Lovers
Paddleboarding is an amazing workout for your whole body. The stable platform means you can even do yoga on the water!
Easy to Store and Transport
One of the best things about inflatable paddleboards is how easy they are to store. When you’re done using it, you just let the air out and roll it up. The whole thing, including the paddle and accessories, fits in the backpack that comes with it.
This means you can store it in a closet, the trunk of your car, or even take it on vacation. You don’t need a roof rack or trailer like you would with a hard paddleboard.
Built to Last with Great Support
Niphean offers a 3-year manufacturing warranty for all of their iSUPs. They also have a 30-day “no-hassle” return policy whether purchasing directly from their website or through their official Amazon storefront.
This means if something goes wrong with your board or if you don’t like it, the company will help you out. All paddleboards come with a 30-day no-hassle return policy and a 3-year manufacturer’s free full service to ensure your complete satisfaction.
Is It Worth the Money?
At around $700, the Niphean Pro 12’6″ isn’t the cheapest paddleboard you can buy, but it offers incredible value. When you consider everything that comes with it – the high-quality construction, all the accessories, the versatility to use it as a kayak, and the 3-year warranty – it’s actually a great deal.
Compare this to buying a regular paddleboard, then having to buy a paddle, pump, bag, seat, and all the other accessories separately, and you’d probably spend more money and end up with lower quality items.
Tips for Getting Started
If you decide to get the Niphean Pro 12’6″, here are some tips to help you have the best experience:
- Start in calm water – Find a lake or calm part of a river for your first few trips
- Inflate to the right pressure – Use the digital gauge to make sure you have 12-15 PSI
- Practice getting on and off – Start by kneeling on the board before trying to stand up
- Wear a life jacket – Safety first, especially when you’re learning
- Bring sun protection – Hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses are essential
- Start with short trips – Build up your endurance gradually
The Bottom Line
The Niphean Pro 12’6″ stand up paddleboard is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to get into paddleboarding or upgrade from a basic board. Between this kit, the larger size of the board, and all of the built-in features, there aren’t many SUP activities you can’t do with the Niphean Pro 12’6 iSUP.
It’s stable enough for beginners, versatile enough for many different activities, and built well enough to last for years. The fact that it can transform into a kayak and comes with everything you need makes it an especially good value.
Whether you want to paddle around the lake, fish from a stable platform, explore new waterways, or get a great workout, this board can do it all. Paddlers looking for a very stable expedition style iSUP, or those who want more physical deck space (for equipment or a passenger) with an all-around SUP performance feel will appreciate the extra size and performance balance of the Niphean Pro 12’6.
The water is calling – and the Niphean Pro 12’6″ is ready to answer!