New SUP board, new adventure: I was excited to buy the Bluefin 14′ Sprint SUP, which is officially called the “Bluefin SUP Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board 14′ Sprint Touring Race Model”. If you have learned stand up paddling in the last few years and want to develop your skills as an advanced paddler, this board could be just the thing for you. In my Bluefin SUP test, I put the inflatable 14′ Sprint Touring Racing model through its paces: What are the strengths and weaknesses of the SUP board? For whom is it suitable? You can find out everything you need to know in this test report.

My first SUP board was my first love on the water, so to speak, because I have that on it Stand Up Paddling learned from the ground up. Even though it was just a simple beginner's board and my skills had long since reached a professional level, I couldn't part with it for years. But then the opportunity presented itself:

In the middle of winter, dealers often offer last year's models at attractive prices to make room for new models. I grabbed it and ordered the Bluefin SUP Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board 14′ Sprint Touring Race model, which is ideal for advanced paddlers. Of course, I don’t want to withhold my experiences with the 14′ Sprint model from you in my Bluefin SUP report.

There is magic in every beginning

Spring is here and finally I was able to test my new SUP board extensively. I have tried the iSUP from Bluefin several times on the Alster and the Dove Elbe in Hamburg (travel report) and analyzed all the strengths and weaknesses of the board in my detailed Bluefin SUP test. How does the Stand Up Paddling Board ride? Who is the Bluefin SUP Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board 14′ Sprint-Touring-Race model suitable for? To give you a detailed insight into the mid-range model, I will answer the most important questions about this versatile and powerful SUP board.

In my Bluefin SUP test report I would like to give you numerous valuable tips, information and my personal experiences with the SUP board. My goal is to inspire you as an athlete and show you the possibility of bringing a breath of fresh air into your sporting ambitions with a new SUP board.

Buy a Bluefin SUP

Related Articles

Inflatable sprint touring race model in Bluefin SUP Test

My first impression at home in the living room

I ordered the Bluefin SUP in the middle of winter - so my detailed Bluefin SUP test will have to wait a little longer, because for SUP in winter the conditions have to be really good and I haven't been able to go out on the water yet. For this reason I did a first hands-on at home in the living room and am now eagerly waiting for the weather conditions to improve with something Sun and heat reasonably for SUP in spring so that I can try out my new stand up paddling board - the Bluefin SUP Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board 14′ Sprint Touring Race Model - in detail on the water.

Because I ordered the Bluefin SUP in the middle of winter and the conditions for stand-up paddling in winter have to be almost perfect, I haven't been able to use it yet SUP on the Alster in Hamburg testing. So I decided to try it out in the living room while I was longingly waiting for the right weather for the first SUP tour in spring.

Long and voluminous board

At first glance, the Bluefin SUP Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board 14′ Sprint Touring Race model was an impressive board for the coming season. With an impressive length of 4,27 meters and a width of just 71 centimeters, it is significantly longer and slimmer than a typical entry-level model.

It also has two nets for safely storing provisions and bags, numerous rings, eyelets and carrying handles. You can tell that the manufacturer Bluefin was able to draw on years of experience when developing and adapting the board to the needs of stand up paddlers. During my first experience with the Bluefin SUP, I immediately noticed a few notable features:

• At 4,27 meters, the 14′ Sprint SUP is particularly long, but still light and manoeuvrable.
• The supplied fiberglass paddle feels good in the hand and is comparatively light.
• A leash (foot strap) is included.
• Despite its length, the Bluefin SUP can be rolled up and stowed away compactly.
• A high quality wheeled backpack is included.
• A high-quality double-action pump is included.
• The board feels high-quality overall, but some of the bonding is not optimally processed and it smells strongly of plastic when you first unpack it.
• Numerous carrying handles, eyelets, two luggage nets and a GoPro mount are available.
• The manufacturer gives a five-year guarantee on its boards.

Overall, the Bluefin SUP Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board 14′ Sprint Touring Race model makes a very positive first impression. It offers practically a no-worries package for SUP enthusiasts to hit the water right away. The optical processing is satisfactory, but not outstanding. Some glue points on the PVC are frayed and there are still glue residues on the material. But if the manufacturer keeps their promises regarding the durability of the material, these blemishes are negligible.

I find the term “Sprint Touring Race Model” a bit confusing. Is it a touring board or a racing model? This question will only be answered when I can finally try out the board on the water and experience its handling characteristics in practice. In any case, I'm looking forward to testing the Bluefin SUP 14′ Sprint-Touring-Race model extensively and finding out how it behaves in different situations and under different conditions.

As soon as the temperatures rise and the weather cooperates, I will put the Bluefin SUP board through its paces and provide you with a comprehensive report on its strengths, weaknesses and possible uses. I will look at the driving characteristics as well as the stability and handling of the board in order to give you as objective and informative a picture of the Bluefin SUP 14′ Sprint-Touring-Race model as possible.

First impressions show that the Bluefin SUP Board is a great product for advanced Stand Up Paddlers who want to improve their skills and are looking for a board that shines on both extended tours and sporty challenges on the water. Stay tuned for my detailed review where I will present you all the details and my personal experience with the Bluefin SUP Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board 14′ Sprint Touring Race model.

• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Facebook
• YouTube
• TikTok

Follow me too Xing, TripAdvisor and Threads!

Follow me on Instagram now

stick with Travel Blog Just-Wanderlust.com and @strandkind_co always up to date and just follow me on Instagram!

Bluefin SUP Test – the first time in the water with the 14′ Sprint Board

After purchasing it, I had to wait a few months before I was in the water with the Bluefin SUP for the first time in early May. I was really looking forward to it because my old stand up paddling board was slowly becoming obsolete after five years and I finally wanted to own my own professional SUP.

First Bluefin Racing SUP test on the Alster in Hamburg

Bright sunshine and pleasant temperatures awaited us on our first tour on local waters, stand-up paddling on the Alster in Hamburg. And I have to say, the high expectations of the new board were absolutely met in my Bluefin SUP test.

Overall, the board is very comfortable to transport with the accompanying bag and well-padded carrying straps. Thanks to the lightweight paddle and compact design, it doesn't weigh too much. The pump and other accessories can also be easily stored in the bag.

Inflating the Bluefin Sprint Board takes effort

When you roll it out in the parking lot, the sprint SUP looks huge and attracts attention. You definitely need enough space to lay it out. And you have to pump properly with the associated pump before the air in the board is even noticeable. You have to push 15 to 18 PSI into the board until it is fully inflated.

It takes time and even though I'm well trained, I was pretty out of breath afterwards. Smaller boards are inflated much more quickly - especially if they only need up to 14 PSI. In the meantime, I ordered an electric pump that can automatically completely inflate the large racing iSUP board in just under 10 minutes.

Bluefin SUP Review – love at first paddle stroke?!

After inflating, all I had to do was attach the three fins, which can be attached using a quick-release fastener. Then we went straight into the water. The numerous handles make the board easy to transport and provisions can be conveniently stowed under the tension straps so that your hands are relatively free during transport and you can carefully place the board in the water. If you have a jetty, it is of course even easier than crossing a rocky bank.

The first time on the board is a bit shaky, as the stand up paddling board is significantly narrower than beginner boards, touring boards and cruisers. But it's incredibly long. And so I needed a few minutes to acclimatise to the unfamiliar new board for my Bluefin Racing SUP test. But it happens very quickly: the paddle fits perfectly in the hand and after just a few minutes you have found your balance with the unfamiliar, new stand-up paddle board. I first chose a safe pond on the Alster to try out the board.

And I have to say: it was love at first stroke. Once you have found your balance, the board lies perfectly in the water and nothing stands in the way of a detailed SUP tour. The riding characteristics are excellent and you can immediately see why the board is considered a sprint board. After just a few minutes I have the first kilometers on the clock.

You can really go incredibly fast and you can either use the board for leisurely cruising or really do some sport with it by doing a SUP workout with it. The board proved to be a real all-rounder in my Bluefin Sprint SUP board test and is also suitable for lying comfortably on the water and, due to its size, also for paddling with two people.

Buy a Bluefin SUP

Strengths and weaknesses in the Bluefin SUP test

Overall, the board's strengths clearly outweigh its weaknesses in our Bluefin SUP test. In particular, the driving characteristics of the mid-range SUP board are heartwarming. However, I can't say anything about the quality of the materials during long-term use. There are numerous reports on the Internet about material fatigue. I will keep an eye on this and update my Bluefin SUP test accordingly. Below I have listed all the strengths and weaknesses of the Bluefin Sprint model that I found in my Bluefin SUP test.

Power

• Attractive design, coloring in shades of blue and optimal shape for advanced and beginners
• Excellent properties when paddling - can be used for workouts, long distances, cruising, relaxing or yoga and meditation
• The complete set includes everything a SUP beginner needs to get started, including a bag, pump and leash
• Clip-on fin system is practical as the fins can be clipped on in just a few seconds
• With an RRP of 699 euros (currently 599 euros on offer in various online shops), in my opinion it is a reasonable price and excellent value for money

weaknesses

• The board has a lot of volume - it's better to get an electronic pump
• For the inexperienced, the board has a comparatively large turning circle
• The processing of the weld seams does not always give the most trustworthy impression
• The plastic buckle on the band for rolling up the board broke after the second use (material fatigue)

Bluefin SUP Test – the most important features of the 14′ Sprint Touring Race Model

The Bluefin SUP 14′ Sprint Touring Race model is an advanced model that even beginners can handle due to its stable position. The SUP board is ideal for everyone who is planning longer tours and has already stood on the water in a stable and confident manner.

So you don't have to have years of experience to use this surfboard. In my Bluefin SUP test, I have put together the most important properties of the 14′ Sprint Touring Race model for you (manufacturer information).

– Bluefin SUP Sprint – an all-rounder board

The Bluefin Paddleboard is a real all-rounder and is suitable for both advanced and beginners - basically for all explorers, scouts and tourers who want to cover longer distances with a SUP. The board is particularly long and slim - so it offers ideal properties for gliding quickly through the water and covering a good distance.

– Exo Surface lamination technology

The manufacturer Bluefin uses ESL to produce extremely hard and UV-resistant decks. The vendor will ensure that the boards made from this material will last a lifetime. Bluefin say they use the densest drop stitch pattern on the market because they have the best board engineers and most advanced materials. So using 11200 stitches per square meter of 500 denier space yarn results in an ultra strong board. That should be twice as much as with conventional SUP boards, where 4000 to 6000 stitches are made.

– Hot welded double rails

A panel of extra strong, double-layered 500 denier PVC fabric runs around the Sprint SUP to achieve an aerodynamic design that cuts through both flat and waves, allowing the Sprint SUP board to glide. Experience has shown that the surrounding PVC sheet is particularly exposed to the natural forces that act on the board - so it makes sense to make this surrounding PVC as strong as possible and to glue it as well as possible.

– double stroke pump

The supplied air pump is a double action pump, with which the board can be inflated particularly easily and quickly. The high-pressure PSI measurement is carried out on the small, analogue display. The pump is relatively compact and light and fits into the carrying backpack together with the board. However, my impression is that the board already has a decent volume. You should therefore consider ordering an optional electronic pump and pumping up the board on the car with it.

- Built-in action camera mount

There is a fixed action camera mount on the bow of the Bluefin SUP, to which you can attach an action cam or similar camera with the appropriate mount, for example. The bracket is firmly integrated into the board structure to ensure safety and reliability - in other words: so that the camera does not fall into the water. You can either film yourself or point the camera forward and film the route covered.

– Fiberglass paddle

The fiberglass paddle with polyurethane blade is also very positive. The model is approximately 35 percent lighter than a conventional aluminum SUP paddle. In a direct comparison, it really feels a lot lighter and is more comfortable to handle. According to the manufacturer, the shaft blade is extremely robust and cannot be broken or warped. The lighter paddle is worth its weight in gold, especially on longer tours. Anyone who has ever paddled a long distance with an aluminum paddle knows what I am talking about.

– Smart Lock fin system

The hardest part of assembling an inflatable stand up paddling board is installing the fin, as you attach it to the board with a tiny screw. It's easy to lose the screw. The Smart Lock fin system simply clips in and is ready to go in practically two seconds, as the three fins are attached with a single integrated fin system and locking mechanism. The manufacturer of the Bluefin SUP Sprint also optimized the system of three fins in terms of manoeuvrability, rotation and gliding properties.

– Coiled leg leash: Safety thanks to the SUP Leash

Even as an advanced paddler, you should heed one basic rule: No SUP excursion without a leash, i.e. the coiled leg line that is attached to the paddler's ankle. The velcro railsaver clips into the board's D-rings and is very stable. Because there are so many D-rings on the board, you as a boarder have some leeway as to where you attach your leash.

Book your well-deserved vacation now!

Book your dream vacation now at favorable conditions on the renowned booking portal HolidayCheck – top rated by Stiftung Warentest (01/2024). Click and browse now!

Bluefin SUP Test - a professional SUP for all areas of application?

My conclusion

I bought the Bluefin Sprint model because I wanted to replace my beginner iSUP and expand my ambitions in SUP sport. But I have to say very clearly: I would have liked to ride this Sprint Stand Up Paddling Board even as a beginner, because although it is a bit narrower overall, it is incredibly long and offers a lot of surface area. It can even be used as a tandem SUP or as a lounger if you just want to relax and lie on the lake.

The bottom line is that I am really excited about this stand-up paddle board, which really meets many different needs. I therefore believe that this SUP board is the ideal SUP model for many different users, from professionals to beginners and occasional users.

Are you already using a Bluefin SUP or are you planning to purchase one? Which model do you swear by? Share your experiences in the comments.