Which life raft should I choose to buy?

Among the different models, brands and prices, which one is ideal for my age, weight, color, shape?

If you have wanted to take the small step of buying your own sports rescue equipment but you have doubts about the many models and brands that exist, this is your post . Trying to speak from our personal experience, feedback from clubs and other athletes, we will comment on the brands that we find on the Spanish market.

First of all, you have to think not too long term, two or three seasons (unless you are thinking for a club) because we are constantly evolving and improving . When a sportsperson is starting out, they tend to look for stability and resistance, and then they look for speed and maneuverability. In fact, we ourselves change almost every year and that does not make us worse, we are looking for progress.

Don't worry about the price, but worry about the quality of the material. By this I mean that if you like a model that is more expensive, don't buy the cheapest one (and less resistant) first and then later when you get better, buy the other one... since we bought twice. Nowadays, almost all brands have the possibility of financing the purchase over several months, which makes it easier when breaking the bank and helps you choose better. Considering that there is also a valuable second-hand market for this type of material in which "they take it off your hands" in case you want to renew it.

The main factor to take into account is your weight and age. I start with the nippers and then, up to the long distance prone.

Nippers

If the athlete is between a junior and a cadet, these are the boards for you. Although we recommend their use until more advanced ages, regardless of the athlete's weight, as it gives them control and handling of the boards for the future.

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Needless to say, the nipper is the best toy you can give to a child, as they will surf more than with other boards, and will gain sensitivity and confidence in the sea , taking into account that the ones from the club are often not available for free use.

We will mainly look for them to be resistant and durable.
Nippers, in Spain you can only compete with Foam models, it is very important to know this, as it sometimes creates confusion. It will last you more or less three seasons (due to the growth of the athlete), and then you can sell it second-hand or pass it on to the desired inheritance of the younger brothers.

In Spain we have three main brands, Crew and Wetiz and OceanPerf. The first, Crew, has only two models, depending on the composite material, one is more resistant and flexible than the other (so it will last a little longer), and it depends on how much you want to spend, with 70€ more difference you have a material that can withstand all kinds of mishaps in the water, which will not be few. They have a fantastic shape and are very similar to miniature boards.

Wetiz nippers are four models, from the most basic, for the smallest and most economical of all, to the best, made of fiberglass (the hardtop model) being the fastest. And two in the middle, covered in foam material.

The OceanPerf nipper models come in two sizes and are differentiated by the material they are made of, from the most economical and basic ones to those made of fiber.

We move on to the paddleboards.

When you buy a board, you should always choose one that is 3-5kg heavier than your weight , that is, if you weigh 65kg, the ideal is to get a 70kg one. If you are in the master category and have recently started in the world of waves, for quality-price, Wetiz ensures stability and confidence with which you will get along well from the first moment.

What do you look for in a board? Apart from the physical characteristics, there are 4 components that are very striking:

• The tip. Why are some boards flatter and others more tapered? The truth is that it is quite complicated to define it as such and it would be up for debate, but the boards that focus on wave conditions tend to be a little sharper and with rocker ... Obviously, they enter the wave better and more rocker means better surfability. The flat ones are more European style like Wetiz and OceanPerf, perhaps more volume for runners (wind waves) and plate conditions.
• Differentiate between boards from different brands, their famous shape
• The bathtub. It is synonymous with stability.
• The fifth handle. A topic that we will discuss in more depth in another post.

Kracka has two models, he has managed to develop two totally different shapes that have both managed to become the best boards in competition.
The weights vary between them, with a shape that looks like it was given a surfing course while it was being made, and it is like a glove to train with. There is little to say about this board other than good and nice things that are not already known, being the most used by world champions.
Kracka has a normal model and a recumbent model, and you know what? It's a unique model that has become a top model in Australia . The Australian champion recumbent on a specially shaped Kracka board, without a cockpit or pads.

Wetiz is the brand used by the best in Europe. They have been developing boards for 3 seasons that are better suited to the conditions we have here. Windy conditions, with little swell and for athletes of great stature. Hence the Tracksa and Killa models that have made L. Kelly and Ocean champions of Europe with B. Cahill.

It has a variety depending on the weight but the shape varies a little between them, being a very good option for clubs, remembering that the difference between the boards is in the material , highlighting the Paddleboard Wetiz Pro Carbon model which is the best of all the models, light and with the option of changing the design and size.

Crew, on the other hand, have a good shape but they lack more resistance, although they have improved the material. Right now, this brand can only be found on the second-hand market, as they are no longer sold in Spain. There are four models, but they are all completely different from each other.

OceanPerf , the French brand, is now available through a distributor here, and has very competent models, although its weak point is still the quality of the material manufactured. It also has another top-of-the-range epoxy model, where you can also choose a custom design.

Bark has a unique model of lifeguard board with a very nice design, highlighting the material with which it is made: full carbon and a good shape .

There are many other brands such as Sonic, Dolfin , JM and Crossbow, whose distributors are located outside of Spain, so transport costs make prices sky-high, but... a whim is a whim! The only companies that develop their corporate brand in Spain are Kracka and Wetiz, so it is a plus that benefits us with the prices, transport and taxes that we will pay.

PRONE

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If you are looking for a 12 or 14 foot board for long distances , of the three brands that work on the peninsula, one stands out above them.

Bark leads the long distance shape with several models by size and quality of material, being the most used by the best in this modality.

Wetiz works with the same 10.6 board models in long distance sizes, so that even if you are a beginner, it will also adapt well to you. You can choose the material you want it with.

Kracka apart from leading The world's 10.6 table field has created a long-distance model very much in line with what was expected from this brand.

Should I buy a cover? Is it easy to get fins?

Yes, yes. Keep in mind when buying the equipment that the cost of the cover will be, include it in your purchase without hesitation . All brands have them, now choose the one you prefer. A cover helps your board last longer, protects it from knocks, scratches when traveling with it, and when storing it. It will have a higher value in the second-hand market. Remember not to leave it in the sun for too long, to soften it, etc.

Regarding fins, we are often too lazy to use the board because we have lost or broken it. All brands sell all the accessories you need at a very good price and shipping doesn't take long , not only the fins but also the pads, handles (changing them ensures that you don't cut yourself and suffer so much during training), the invisible pressure screw on the boards when travelling, etc.

And above all, that little square metal piece in the board's box which is essential for holding it in place. Take care of it and keep it screwed in whenever it comes apart so that no accidents happen. And if it gets lost, it's easy to get it back.

If you want more detailed information, do not hesitate to contact us or the distributors of the brands you are interested in. We will not hesitate to help you and make the moment of your purchase easier for you or your club.

If you have come this far, I hope I have been of help to you and I thank you for taking the time to read this post. We will continue with other interesting topics in the coming ones.