UPDATE: Looking for the latest Riviera?
Checkout out latest post on the 2014 Riviera SUP Board Lineup.
View the 2014 Riviera Lineup
Nestled in beautiful San Clemente, California, Riviera Paddlesurf was established in 2007 and specializes in all things stand up paddle boarding. Founded by a family with deep roots in paddle surfing, Riviera has an extensive product lineup which includes everything from sturdy beginner boards, to paddle surf board and race boards. We’ve been carrying boards from Riviera for several seasons now and love what this brand has to offer. In this article, we will give you a run down of some of our favorite Riviera Paddlesurf Boards for summer 2013.
Riviera 10’6 Inflatable 
If you are a regular on our blog then you know I am a big fan of inflatable SUP boards. For city living, boaters and travelers, inflatable SUP boards are the most convenient way to get out on the water whenever you want. Riviera put the same quality and attention to detail into their inflatable as they did the rest of the line. This perfectly sized 10’6 x 32″ board will be sturdy for beginners yet quick thru the water and fun for a more experienced paddler. The tri-fin setup will help you track nice and straight and the bungee system at the nose gives you a place to put your life jacket, small pack for longer paddles (or a cooler for your beer on a nice sunset paddle). Weighing in at just 21 lbs, this board is easy for any size rider to carry. Comes with a backpack, high volume pump, pressure gage and repair kit.
Riviera 10’6 & 11’6 Surfing / Cruising / Touring Board
Hands down Riviera’s best ‘all-around’ board – for an unbelievable price. Available in two sizes this classic shape is wide enough for a beginner, surfs well for a more experienced paddler and glides smoothly across the water for those interested in touring. Good quality deck pad, tri fin setup for easy tracking and a classic look make these boards perfect for almost any rider. These boards have a foam core and are glassed with both epoxy and fiberglass. The bottom layer of the board gets a double layer 6oz glass making this board extra durable and the entire board is coated in a high grade automotive seal to help prevent scratches and dings. If you are searching for your first SUP board – this should definitely make the list.
Riviera Select 10’6 & 11’6
Very similar to it’s little brother that we just talked about – but a step up in construction – Riviera Select Construction (RSC) gives the rider the best of durability, quality and construction at a very reasonable price. A great all-around board for small surf, touring and just cruising around on your local lake or river. The 32″ width will be comfortable for any paddler, while the slightly pulled in nose and pinched rails give this board an edge up in surf. The super-techy RSC construction is a blend of carbon fiber, fiberlass and bamboo along with a layer of Riviera’s proprietary material SYNTEK. These materials are bonded together creating an extremely strong, durable and very lightweight paddleboard. (and let’s be honest, the woody ‘longboard’ style appearance is pretty darn good looking).
Riviera 12’6 Voyager
The sturdiest board that Riviera makes (yep, they said it!) is their touring masterpiece – the Voyager. At 12’6 and 31.5 inches wide, this displacement hull board is as smooth as it is sturdy and is literally a board that any one at all could paddle. The clean displacement hull slices thru the water for a very smooth, quick glide while the 5 1/4 inch thickness feels extra sturdy under your feet – even at high speeds. Don’t let this race-looking shape fool you, this board loves a casual cruise as much as it loves cross training and is surprisingly a great family board as well thanks to it’s super stable build. Fully equipped with 14 leash plugs so you can tie down a ton of gear and the single fin setup will keep you on track during your ride. If versatility is what you want -the Voyager is the board for you.
404 10’6 Race Trainer
And finally, my personal favorite, comes from Riviera’s 404 division. The 404 boards are most widely known as being Danny Ching’s brand of choice. The 404 Race Trainer was designed as a board for Danny to train on for his various races. The little beast is built just like a race board but shrunk down for powerful sprints and excellent maneuverability. This board slices thru flat water for a smooth, fast glide and is extra sturdy feeling thanks to the 5.25″ thickness. For touring, cross training or simply a nice afternoon cruise, the 404 Race Trainer will be easy for riders of any skill level and an absolute blast for the more experienced paddler. At 31″ wide this board gives you plenty of room for a comfortable stance and the flat top deck shape offers a great space for a kid or your dog to come along on your cruise. For the more athletic paddler that wants to go fast but isn’t looking for a 12 foot board – this is the best option for you.
This about wraps up our Rivi recap. For more information about the boards listed above – or to see them up close and personal, contact us or stop by the shop! We will have a ton of color options for the 10’6 and 11’6 all around boards so call for up to date color availability.
See you on the water!