What is the difference between the Freedom and Freedom Pro? Flying Fish Board Co Explains!

For stand-up paddle boarders who obsess over feel, flow, and performance, the Freedom and Freedom Pro from Flying Fish Board Co. offer two finely tuned options built for serious paddling. At first glance, they share the same top-tier speed and glide—but under your feet, the differences are clear. The Freedom delivers unmatched stability and tracking for flatwater and power paddlers, while the Freedom Pro’s softer rails and aggressive tail shine in choppy water, surf, and tight turns. Whether you’re chasing bumps or slicing through side chop, there’s a reason elite paddlers are riding Flying Fish. Today on TotalSUP we’re going to dive into the details with Flying Fish Board Co!

Welcome back to TotalSUP Flying Fish! Thank you for explaining what I think a lot of stand up paddlers have been wondering for a while now… What are the main design differences between your two primary board models: the Freedom and Freedom Pro?

To keep it simple the main differences, are the bottom rail shape at the standing area. Freedom Pro has a much more rounded rail (softer) and the Freedom has a much harder rail in the standing area.
Also, the newest Freedom pro has a more aggressive, rounded tail for even easier maneuverability and turning.

Thanks for keeping it simple! In terms of performance, what advantages does the Freedom Pro offer over the Freedom? Or vice versa

In terms of performance, both models are equally as fast and offer the same amount of glide. The Freedom Pro flows through disorganized water much more smoothly, giving a paddler greater control of the board, rather than allowing the water to dictate its movement. This improved handling is especially noticeable when surfing, as the Freedom Pro is significantly easier to control at higher speeds on a wave. Its soft rail design allows the board to turn effortlessly on the face of the wave without the risk of catching a rail. Overall, the Pro provides an optimal level of maneuverability for more advanced paddling and wave conditions.

In comparison, the Freedom model stands out for its stability. Its design enables paddlers to ride the narrowest board possible while still applying full power, making it a great choice for those seeking balance and efficiency. Additionally, the Freedom offers excellent foot steering capability and tracking, further enhancing control and performance in various water conditions.

Are there specific water conditions or activities where the Freedom Pro excels compared to the Freedom? Or vice versa?

Both the Freedom and the Freedom Pro are excellent all around boards. The Freedom Pro is a bit more geared towards open ocean paddling, and the Freedom being geared a touch more towards flat-water paddling. However both models, absolutely love choppy water conditions and catching bumps.

That’s great to hear! Has the stability or maneuverability been improved in the Freedom Pro version?

The thing we love most about being a custom board brand is that there are very few limitations, we are not locked into certain sizes or shapes for a season. So recently we have been building boards for some of our team riders including Eri Tenorio that we call a Freedom Semipro. Basically this model is a Freedom with the new Freedom Pro tail. This gives the rider the initial stability of the Freedom with added maneuverability on buoy turns. In addition for somebody like Eri, we even softened the transition to the harder standing area so it truly is a combination of the two boards.

Fantastic! What feedback have you received from team riders like Eri regarding the differences between these two models?

Eri has always been a fan of the harder rails so when he initially switched to the Freedom Pro, he found it to be a bit unstable for him in side chop conditions. He’s a very powerful paddler and loves to put a lot of his weight on the rails when he paddles. The new Freedom gave him the ability to do this, but with the changes to the tail (semi-pro) that he requested, he now has a much more maneuverable board on turns without losing that initial stability. No two people and no two paddlers are the exact same. This is one of the absolute advantages of riding a Flying Fish we can tailor the board to exactly how we like it for the specific paddler.

It’s great to hear that feedback from Eri and that Flying Fish was able to accommodate those changes for him, and that FF can do that for anyone looking to get a custom board! How does the price point compare between the two models?

Both boards cost the exact same base price is $3699 USD for both the Freedom and Freedom Pro dugouts. Additionally if paddlers are looking for a recessed deck, not the full dugout, the base price is $3499 USD.

Amazing! Would you recommend the Freedom for beginners or more experienced paddlers, and why?

Yes, I would definitely recommend the Freedom for beginner paddlers, but that does not mean it’s a beginners board. It’s just going to be a much better feeling for them as they start their race board journey. We have found that people who grow up surfing love the feeling of the Freedom Pro, versus someone who has only paddled mostly in lakes and rivers, they feel much more comfortable on the Freedom.

Good to know about the Freedom board not being JUST for beginners! Is there anything else you’d like stand up paddlers to know about the differences between the Freedom, and Freedom Pro board models?

When you place an order with Flying Fish, you’ll hear directly from John Meskaukas himself. John will personally connect with you to fine-tune every detail of your board, making sure it fits your style, goals, and the kind of waves you ride. This isn’t just something we reserve for our team riders — it’s something we do for anyone who wants a truly custom experience. Whether you’re a seasoned surfer or just getting started, we’ll work with you one-on-one to bring your dream board to life!

To find out more about Flying Fish visit www.flyingfishboardco.com

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