An entry-level standup paddleboard in every aspect—from its price point to its unmatched stability—Emotion Kayak’s Traverse offers both versatility and durability. Though short (at 10 feet long), the Traverse tracks as well as long boards, thanks to its 9-inch removable fin. Plus, it handles easily in surf. 
Deep foot recess areas and a wide waist contribute to stability, while the textured standing surface allows traction in case of slippery conditions. At eight inches thick, the board will keep up to 300 pounds afloat, so go ahead and let a couple kids play on it together. When they drag it through the sand and scrape it on rocky creek bottoms, don’t worry though. The SUP’s polyethylene hull is abrasion-resistant and also impervious to UV light, but any damage the board does sustain is easily repairable and completely under warranty.
Let me be clear: Emotion Kayak doesn’t sacrifice performance for durability and affordability. High-nose rocker boosts the board over light surf, while rounded sidewalls and a rounded profile sheds water that splashes over the paddler’s feet. Gear stays dry and secure in the board’s large hatch too. Getting it from the truck to the dock is no problem since all 48 pounds of this hollow-core SUP are more easily transported with its four carrying handles and slotted center handle. ($399; www.emotionkayaks.com)
I bought this board from Dicks Sporting goods on sale for $299.00. It’s the same board but has a Coleman decal and the name Banshee on the the nose. Very happy with it, it is extremely stable, have not fallen off yet. I strap a cooler with bungee cords on the side handles which makes for a nice seat if your out for a long time and get tired of standing, this also gives you much more storage. Did not expect it to be very fast because of it’s weight and large beam, but it’s faster then I thought it would be. I have a lake behind my house that is not very clean, actually it may be toxic so I wanted a stable SUP so I would have a less chance of falling into it.
Tom, I have the same board. This is probably too late of a post for you to respond, but does yours have a little scupper hole in the middle of the board on the center handle?
Is that to let out water that overflows or is mine defective?
Thanks in advance.
I bought this paddleboard today, and the salesman told me that the scupper hole in the middle is for a sail.
I am not the most athletic person on the planet and so I always look for ways to enjoy the outdoors that are appropriate to who I am. My kids discovered paddle surfing in HI and it sounds wonderful. I can’t wait to go to HI and try it. I don’t have a great paddle story…yet. I would love to win this and make a story with it!
I have always loved water. I decided one year that I wanted to kayak. I didn’t have anyone to do this with but, what the heck, I signed up for the class anyway. It was three days, one in the Boulder Res and two on the Colorado River in Glenwood Canyon. It was an amazing three days and I met a lot of wonderful new people. Whitewater kayaking for me was one of the most exciting yet one of the most intense things I’ve ever tried – and by myself to boot! Lately I would love to be back on the water, but in more mellow situations. I’ve been dying to try stand up paddleboarding! I think it is right up my alley. The board would get TONS of use! I’ve lived in Colorado all my life and have explored plenty on land, and can’t wait to explore more on water!
WowI love to win but no stories to tell but if I win you will a whole lot of great stories and pictures…
I would love to have this paddle board for the days when the surf is calm. There have been too many of those days this summer and I need to be out on the water (Gulf of Mexico)!!
I would love to win this prize.
I would use it on the great salt lake. I have been wanting to try this for years but the rental company at the harbor went out of business.
I caught the paddleboarding bug before I even tried the sport! I have a close friend in Salt Lake City who is a paddleboarding professional. She goes out almost daily and competes both on flat water and rivers. All of her posts, photos and stories made me yearn to try the sport. With my athletic background I was eager to try it for the workout sake. Finally I got my chance. As part of a ski camp in Orgeon this past June, we went paddleboarding on the Colombia Gorge for an afternoon dryland activity. Besides falling in love immediately, it was an uplifting experience to learn it with 20 of my athletes. We paddled around, played tag had a race and paddled, splashed and laughed for the entire session. When I returned home to Colorado I was determined to find a way to buy a board and start paddling on our mountain lakes. Unfortunately finances have not allowed. Every epic Colorado day I daydream about being out on a lake–just me and my paddleboard. Someday soon I hope to fulfill my dream. Then I can write about my adventures for Women’s Adventure!
I first saw someone paddleboarding in Kauai, that caught my attention. Then my son bought one and let me try it, loved it, thinking I need one now. I live in Canada, so out of the contest but thought I would comment anyway. Fun paddling everyone.
Been looking for info reviewing paddleboards as I’m looking for one with some versatility. Background: last summer, I had the opportunity to live in Puerto Rico for a month and put of all the things I wanted to see and do, paddleboarding was at the top of the list. I spent about a week in Rincon and witnessed so many great surfers and had heard of a man I should seek lessons from named Albert, from Road to Happiness. He sets himself up on different beaches in a makeshift hut of palm fronds and really is somewhat elusive. The locals all know where to find him, but day after day, I missed him and was unable to take lessons from the best there is. What a total bummer. So while on Florida in February, we went determined to have the opportunity to try it out on Captiva Island. We went to Yolo and rented two boards forthe three of us, one of us being my 8 yr old son. Even though the water was choppy we had a blast and I am now in the market for one I can use with my son, on my own, by himself, etc. Flexibility and safety is what I seek and look forward to reading the reviews of boards here so I can narrow down my many, many options! Here’s to our Road to Happiness on the water! DD
I would take a look at the BIC Jungle Board.. try googling it. I owned one for about a year and a half and it was awesome. It is a windsurf board, a SUP, as well as a surfboard. It comes with easily-interchangeable fins for different uses. The idea is you can bring it to the lake or ocean and depending on the weather/water conditions, still be able to have a great time! They are a bit pricey, but I was able to get a leftover from a local outdoors sport store and paid 1200 including the windsurf sail and all accessories.