Starboard Team launches the Gen-R, this highly anticipated board for 2024 is a new breed amongst Starboards already extensive and world class range of race SUPs. There have been a few boards circulating amongst the Starboard Dream Team riders, where they have already been exhibiting amazing performances on them. The Gen-R is ‘bridging the gap’ between the AllStar and the Sprint, taking on much requested feature changes such as reduced nose thickness and reduce rail height, which will be great for lighter, and youth riders. In this feature we get the full low down from Trevor Tunnington, Starboards product design manager, about how the GenR came to be. We also get some feedback on the board from Dream Team rider Espe Barreras, and England Team rider Holly Pye.
Hey Trevor, thank you for giving your time to TotalSUP, who or what inspired the creation of the GenR?
The inspiration behind the creation of the Gen-R race board series was a desire to develop a versatile racing SUP that excelled in technical racing, surf, and flat-water conditions, factoring in the key criteria: acceleration, balanced glide, stability during turns, and reduced splash from the bow. After rigorous testing and seven rounds of prototypes, the Gen-R was ready for the 2024 model production line, and we are really excited that we were able to meet all of our requirements for this new model. The Gen-R is the easy to use, semi recessed deck race board that will be a great option as a first race board, but is designed have the speed requirements that our World Championship Dream Team look for.
Trevor Tunnington, Product Design Manager at Starboard
What kind of racing is best for the Gen-R?
The GenR is tailored to excel in a variety of racing scenarios. The design is aimed specifically at: technical racing and surf racing, and works very well in small chop and flat-water competitions.
Can you tell us more about the design of the new Gen-R.
The board is well balanced, and features a wide tail for stability during turns, a low nose rocker for acceleration, semi recessed deck makes it easy to use inĀ beach starts, punching through waves andĀ recovery if you fall. The bottom shape is flat and predictable, with slightly rounded rails to give a great combination of speed,Ā predictability and ease in various conditions.
Why the semi recessed deck?
The semi-recessed deck of the Gen-R is generally the opposite approach for race board design from what we have featured over the last few years. DugoutĀ deckĀ boards areĀ fantastic at navigating large ocean swells, giving you the best stability and lowest center of gravity, and are very comfortable to use once you get the hang of them. Some downsides to this concept though is that technical racing can be difficult with beach starts, surfing and getting back on fast when you fall in. So the Gen-R was born to fill this gap in our lineup.
How many models are in the range?
14ā0ā³ x 29ā³ / 356L
14ā0ā x 27ā / 337L
14ā0ā x 25ā / 317L
14ā0ā x 23ā / 296L
14ā0ā x 21.5ā / 282L
Who was involved in the design and development of the Gen-R?
At Starboard HQ, Thailand, we have a dedicated team of shapers working on various design concepts. For this project, SUP Brand Manager Ollie O’Reilly and Product Design Manager Trevor Tunnington led the design and development with this new range. Company Chief Innovator, Svein Rassmussen was also heavily involved in the R&D stages for the models. The developmentĀ process was done over around 5 months, using seven unique prototypes for the first size, which were tested, reshaped and changed various times. And then the final prototype was scaled up to larger sizes, so we had over twelve+ prototype models in total through this developmentĀ cycle.
We also have annual developmentĀ blocks with our Dream Team riders where racers will come out to Bangkok and test with us – generally in the later stages when we are happy with the design progress. Daniel Hasulyo was involved in testing alongside the HQ team throughout multiple stages of design, and Noic Garioud also relayed valuableĀ testing feedback that helped us to shape the final stages of design.
Our team of workshop shapers helped test and shape the Gen-R, including Thai National Champion: Tee Designed
As well as our long standing team of shapers with decades of experience: Pracha Naing Win, Singnil Pop.
Holly and Espe, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on the Gen-R, what size board are you using?
Espe: I’m using 14×21.5, is super easy to drive in all conditions. But 14×23,14×25 and wider are sizes for all riders to enjoy everyday.Ā Definitely, it is a board both for racing and as the first race board for Amateurs.
Holly: Iāve tried both the 14 x 23ā and the 14 x 21.5ā. Iām now using the 14 x 21.5ā and I love it!
How do you find the design of the board?
Espe: Gen-R design has touches of the old and so versatile Allstars from 2017-2019. The main new is the FLATDECK design that gives more freedom on the board. The shaped nose makes higher speed on short choppy and the square tail gives more stability while surfing and turns. It has a well balanced rocker which allows extra safety on solid beach racing.
Holly: Itās strange going back to a flat deck board as Iāve just used dug outs for several years now! It took a bit of getting used to as the stability is so different, but now that I have got used to it I donāt feel so wobbly on the narrower one. I love the flat bottom design too, itās super fast and the wide tail means step back turns are more stable than some of the other boards Iāve been paddling
What do you think of the speed and manoeuvrability?
Espe:Ā Really surprised about sprints, fast gliding. Its a perfect board for technical races at the beach or flatwater with bouy turns. I feel the Gen-R stuck to my feet, like a skate. With its reduced volume each movement is transferred directly to the board.
Holly: Itās so fast! I think itāll be a great board for sprints and for technical racingā¦ and distance racing too come to think of it!! Nothing will ever replace the All Star in ocean swell and itās also not a replacement for the Sprint over long, flat water races. But I think itās speed and manoeuvrability mean itāll be perfect for everything else!
Ā So….Ā Flat water Vs Choppy water?
Espe: This thicker slicing nose makes less drag and more speed on flatwater conditions. The semi-boxy rails gives more control and rolling reduced.Ā “ Gen-R is my choice for days of pure fun “
Holly: Iāve tried it in both. I think the Gen-R is strong in all conditions to be honest. The nose shape doesnāt catch the water in the same was as the Sprint which means it excels really quickly if youāre doing sprints or technical racing with intense bursts where the board is moving around a lot with your power. Itās also great in choppy water and is super fast in the waves. Having said that, nothing replaces the All Star in big, rolling ocean swell and nothing replaces the Sprint if youāre doing an event like the 11 Cities Tour. I think the Gen-R will be my go-to for just about everything coming up!!
Well a massive thank you to Trevor and the team at Starboard HQ for putting this together, and a big shout out to Holly Pye, and Espe Barreras for their thoughts on the Gen-R, it sounds like this is the board of the season and a no brainer to have on your ‘try it’ list!Ā
Find out more about the Gen-R here on the Starboard website, and on their Facebook page where you will get regular updates.Ā
I’ll leave you with the most incredible photo of Starboard Dream Team rider Daniel Hasulyo surfing the GenR in Bali….. outstanding…Ā
In the dynamic world of stand-up paddleboarding, Paddle Logger’s Holly Pye is carving her own path with passion and determination. With a love for the ocean and a spirit of adventure, she has embraced the challenges of SUP foiling, a sport that combines the thrill of gliding above the waves with the artistry of technique. […]
From coaching to racing arm in arm and paddle in paddle, Daniel Hasulyo, World SUP Champion, Coach, entrepreneur and SUNOVA Team Rider, unlocks an exciting SUP racing scene in China and its large and active paddleboarding communities. Danielās account of two weeks of racing is a celebration of high performance, camaraderie and shared passion for […]
At 65 years young, Karl Eugster is living proof that the love for stand-up paddling transcends age. Originally from Switzerland, Karl discovered SUP 15 years ago and has since become a dedicated long-distance paddler, competing in iconic events like the SUP11-City Tour and Chattajack31. This year, he took on the SUP11 Islands in Thailand – […]
Esperanza Barreras, one of the most dominant athletes in the SUP Racing world, heads into the 2024 ICF SUP World Championships in Sarasota, Florida, as the reigning ICF champion in both the Technical Race and Long Distance categories. Known for her remarkable consistency and versatility across all racing disciplines, the Starboard dream team rider has […]
The Gran Canaria Pro is back! Taking place in the stunning southwest of Gran Canaria on 7th of December, this open international SUP event welcomes paddlers of all levels to race in one of the best SUP destinations in the world. With warm December temperatures averaging 26Ā°C and courses tailored for both experienced competitors and […]
The 2025 Starboard stand up paddle range has officially dropped, once again demonstrating that Starboard designs to benefit every paddler, ensuring to deliver an exceptional experience for all. Starboard proves once again the brand has been committed to making stand-up paddleboarding accessible to all, raising the bar with its dedication to uncompromising quality and ocean […]
In one month, the SUP 11 Islands Tour in Thailand welcomes back long-distance paddler Thomas Schillig for a five-day journey through stunning landscapes and open seas. Running from December 3rd to 8th, the event challenges paddlers with an average of 25 kilometers per day. Thomas, who began paddling in 2011, is known for his work […]
If innovation takes iteration, then thatās the concept fuelling the design of the SUNOVA Allround Faast Pro boards. With each refinement and tweak, Marcus Tardrew, SUNOVA Rider and Designer, and the Team advance the design, zeroing in on the elements that make a race board excel. The result? A board thatās engineered through relentless improvement […]
Use of cookies
This website uses cookies in order to make it easier to use and to support the provision of relevant information and functionality to you.
Necessary Cookies
Necessary cookies enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. You may disable these by changing your browser settings, but this may affect how the website functions.
3rd Party Cookies
We use a set of third party tools to provide information on how our users engage with our website so that we can improve the experience of the website for our users. For example, we collect information about which of our pages are most frequently visited, and by which types of users. Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.
Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!