The Body Glove Performer 11 is a popular paddleboard that has been upgraded to make it even better. It is built for paddlers of all skill levels and is incredibly durable and stable.
The company
Body Glove was founded by Bill and Bob Meistrell, designer of the first functional wetsuit in 1953. The Meistrell brothers were inseparable twins with a love for the water from a young age. In 1944, they moved to Manhattan Beach and bought a dive shop that later became Body Glove.
Body Glove is a well-known company among water sports enthusiasts. They produce high-quality accessories for scuba diving, surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, and more.
The Body Glove Performer
This board is great for people who want a versatile board that is also bright and easy to see. It is 6 inches thick and can hold up to 320 pounds, making it great for different types of riders.
This is a great starter board or family board because it is a good size for sharing between family members.
Users say that this board moves well in the water and is not slow or difficult to move. The nose of the board is more tapered than most, which helps it move smooth through the water.
The stand-up paddleboard kit includes the following:
- three-piece aluminum paddle
- backpack bag, an ankle coiled leash
- hand pump
- small dry bag…
- and a SUP repair kit.
This board has everything you need to get started with stand up paddle boarding. If you are just starting out and don’t have a lot of SUP gear, this is a great option.
Who Should Buy The Body Glove Performer?
It is designed to provide a stable, comfortable, and fun experience on the water. The Body Glove Performer board is perfect for those who love to stay fit, those just starting out, and families. It is designed to offer a stable, comfortable, and enjoyable experience while paddling.
This yoga platform is 11 feet long and 34 inches wide, offering a stable surface on which to perform your routine. Some poses are difficult enough on land, so performing them on the water would be even more challenging. You need a wide enough platform to avoid falling in, and the Performer provides that. The surface of the platform is also partly covered with a soft EVA traction pad for comfort.
Just like people who are new to yoga, beginners also want a stable paddleboard. Being able to stand on a SUP is challenging, so a stable platform makes it much easier for beginners to learn how to paddle. Additionally, The Body Glove Performer comes with everything you need to start, so all you have to do is buy a paddle board life jacket. This is great if you don’t know what other accessories you need.
This paddleboard can accommodate two adults or an adult and a child/dog, making it perfect for family outings. Having a board that can support more than one person means that even those who don’t paddle can join in on the fun.
Performer paddleboards are a good choice for adventurers who love to explore and are looking for challenges and excitement. The board is fast to paddle and solid, so you won’t have to worry about denting it.
Pros of the Body Glove 11 Inflatable SUP
- This board is light and easy to carry, especially with the included carry case. This makes it perfect not only for families and beginners but also for those who want to take their paddleboard into the backcountry.
- For an entry-level inflatable stand-up paddle board, it has a great glide. This is mainly due to the severe taper on the nose of the board.
- Although not known as a performance SUP, this board also turns quickly, likely due to the large taper in the front. Some inflatable boards turn rather slowly and seem cumbersome in the water.
- It is easy to paddle and maneuver, which is a fantastic feature for kids or beginning paddle boarders.
- Unlike other, more advanced boards, this one has a large cargo area in the front of the board. This is another benefit for those with children wishing to take their SUP on a much longer adventure.
- There is a large and comfortable pad in the middle of the board, which helps prevent fatigue when standing and paddling for a long time.
- It has a neoprene carrying handle in the middle of the board, making it easier and more comfortable to bring the board into the water.
- For film enthusiasts, the board has a front mount for GoPro cameras and other action cameras.
- The reinforced bumpers on the SUP help increase the durability of the board, which is great for those transporting the board or riding through rougher waters.
- The kit that comes with the board is a great bonus for beginners who may not have the accessories needed for paddle boarding.
Cons Of The Board
- Unfortunately, there is no touring SUP fin on this model. This means that the board may feel unstable or harder to keep moving in a straight line even in flat water.
- It feels unstable and hard to control in windier or rougher water conditions.
- There are no front or back handles on this sup board, making it difficult to move the board around on occasion.
Important Features In-Depth
A hardboard is preferable to an inflatable board because it is more rigid and durable. An inflatable board might not be sturdy enough for a paddler.
The triple-layer design of some brands prevents sinking in the middle, so you can have the best time SUPing.
The new version has three layers of side rails and stringers reinforced with carbon, making it more rigid than before. When fully inflated, it will have the same stiffness as a solid SUP.
Front Bungee Cord Storage
The front storage area on this board has six attachment points that can stretch to accommodate a medium-sized backpack or dry bag. You could even fit a smaller cooler in this area, making it a great board for a longer adventure.
Performer Rear Fin Design
The board has three small fins on the bottom rear, which is traditional for boards that will get a lot of wear and tear. This is helpful for transporting the board, but not for water stability.
The fins are permanently attached, so it only takes a short time to set up the board. However, the fins are more likely to bend when the board is stored.
Large Traction Pad
If you are going to be stand on your paddle board for any length of time, you will want one that has a well-padded section in the middle to help make it more comfortable.
This particular paddle board is also larger than some other models, which can give you more room to do things like SUP yoga or simply just sit and rest on the water.
Reinforced Stringer
The stringer is the element in the design of a board that impacts the way it flexes under tension. It is essentially a core that helps the board stay together and resist damage.
The Performer 11 has a heavy-duty triple layer lining, meaning it is more durable than similar inflatable paddle boards.
It helps protect the board against wear and tear, as well as adding some extra rigidity when the board is inflated vs other standup paddleboards.
Transport and Set-Up
The Performer SUP comes with a backpack that has padded shoulder straps for extra comfort, a chest strap, and hip straps. The backpack has clips on the outside for storing extra gear and accessories.
This backpack will hold your paddle board and all the necessary gear for your trip. The top open design makes it easy and quick to access your board and gear.
The backpack also has carry handles on the top and side for easy transport.
The paddle board and backpack, with all the needed gear, weigh a total of 56 pounds. This is a reasonable weight to carry, at least for a little while.
The inflatable, compact nature of the paddle board makes it easy to store and transport.
Once you arrive at your destination, you can quickly set up the Body Glove Performer 11. Just remove the board from the backpack and unroll it on a relatively flat surface.
Then, using the pump that comes with the board, you can inflate it in about eight minutes. After that, clip the leash onto the rear clip and secure any extra gear in the bungee section on the front of the board. In less than 15 minutes from when you started, you can be in the water with this board.
Performance
The consensus among users is that the Body Glove Performer 11 is a highly versatile board, suitable for beginners and experienced users alike.
The complete kit that comes with the board, including protection against bumps and scrapes, makes it an ideal choice for first-time users of stand-up paddle boards.
Those who have children or who anticipate taking the board on longer journeys will appreciate its durability.
The design of the nose on this board makes it easier to paddle through the water, with less effort. This makes it good for use on calmer water. The Body Glove inflatable has three small, permanent rubber fins on the back of the board, which is different from other touring boards that usually have one larger, removable fin.
This makes the board good for smaller maneuvers and quick turns. The three fins also make the setup faster because they are permanently attached. However, the rubber fins are often damaged when the board is not in use. A single, more rigid touring fin would have been a better choice for this board.
The verdict
The Body Glove Performer is an excellent paddleboard for novices and experienced riders alike. It is supplied with all the necessary equipment, including a phone case that is waterproof.
We would appreciate a longer center fin to improve tracking. Additionally, extra D-rings would be beneficial for those who want to attach a kayak seat. Other than that, there is not much to complain about.
