The ROC Kahuna. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Paddle boarding is an incredible sport. It’s user-friendly and can be done on the ocean, lakes, rivers…essentially any body of water. The downside of paddle boarding? The price tag.
We recently ran a review on The Best Inflatable Paddle Boards and the average price for a board was $967, with most options landing in the $500-$1,000 range. Out of the many boards we tested, the ROC Kahuna isn’t the absolute dirt-cheapest, but at $250 it is one of the most affordable and presents an incredible value for the recreational paddler, with solid performance and lots of extras. Accordingly, we awarded it our best-budget inflatable paddle board. If you want to learn more about what we loved about the Kahuna and how it compares to boards that are quadruple the price, read on.
| Pros | Cons |
| Comes with everything you need to get on the water | Paddle isn’t our favorite |
| Includes kayak conversion accessories | Not super rigid |
| Stable | Accessories are on the cheap side |
First Impressions of the ROC Kahuna
Out of the box, the ROC Kahuna seems like your standard, run-of-the-mill inflatable paddle board. It comes with all of the usual accessories: a paddle, pump, fin, leash, and a carrying bag. But, it also comes with a small dry bag and a kayak conversion kit, which is a great added value considering the board only costs $225 (at the time of publishing). I figured this board was either going to be a piece of junk or an incredible deal – I strongly hoped it would be the latter.
The two side fins are fixed, and the center fin slides in easily with a secure click-in connection. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Notable Features
Available Sizes: 10′ Explorer | 10′ Scout | 10′ 6″ Kahuna
Size Tested: 10′ 6″ x 33″ x 6″
Weight: 18 lbs
Fin Configuration: 2+1
As I mentioned in my first impressions of the Kahuna, it comes with everything you need and then some. First things first, I set to work getting the board inflated. The included pump takes some work but it’s simple and straightforward to use.
Next, I inserted the fins. The board sports a 2 + 1 fin set up and the two side fins are already attached, leaving only the center fin to be installed. The fin utilizes a secure click-in design that allows you to easily get the fin ready without requiring any tools. After that, I got the adjustable paddle put together and I was ready to roll.
Measuring 10′ 6″ x 33″ x 6″, the Kahuna is long and wide enough to provide reliable stability while still remaining maneuverable. Because the Kahuna was intentionally designed to be a lightweight paddle board, it weighs just 18 pounds. It isn’t the most rigid board, which detracts somewhat from its stability. However, when you get it fully inflated to the recommended PSI I found it worked great. When I tested this board, I had two friends try it who aren’t experienced paddlers and they had no problems.
Measuring 10′ 6″ x 33″ x 6″, the Kahuna is reliably stable. Photo: Maddie Bryan//The Inertia
Durability-wise, another editor at The Inertia has had the ROC Kahuna for over two years, and has used it for everything from flat water paddles to running low-grade whitewater rivers. After plenty of use, and abuse, including breaking off the center fin on one of the whitewater excursions (the fin broke but the fin box survived, and it was very easy to order a new fin from ROC) the board is still going strong.
The Kahuna has a center handle as well as handles on the front and aft, which makes it easy to transport regardless of whether you’re carrying it alone or with a buddy. The Kahuna also has bungee tie-down straps on the front and back of the board, which I found to be a great place to store my essentials in the included dry bag as well as water bottles, jackets, and other miscellaneous items.
The bungee straps are the perfect place to store essentials. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Finally, a unique feature of the Kahuna is that it includes a kayak conversion kit. These are becoming more common with inflatable paddle boards, but typically boards that include kayak accessories are pricey, unlike the Kahuna. The Kahuna includes a kayak seat that you attach to the board as well as a kayak paddle insert that you can swap the SUP paddle handle out for. Getting the kayak setup installed is easy and I found it to be a great option since my home in Oahu is often windy, making it challenging to stand up paddle.
The paddle is the biggest drawback of the Kahuna. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Drawbacks
The paddle on the ROC Kahuna isn’t great. It’s an adjustable paddle, so you can adjust it to the correct height depending on how tall you are. The downside of this is that it isn’t the most secure connection among paddles that we’ve tested, and is prone to sliding a bit. If your plan is calm paddles on occasion then it should be okay. But if you plan to spend a fair amount of time on the water I’d consider upgrading. We have some great recommendations in our The Best SUP Paddles guide.
Another downside of the Kahuna is the pump. Don’t get me wrong, it will get the job done, but it’s not very efficient so it takes a lot of work to get the board fully inflated. If you want to save yourself some effort, I recently got my hands on the HOTO Air Pump Master – it’s an incredible electric air pump that can quickly inflate and deflate your board.
Taking a break from the wind. Photo: Maddie Bryan//The Inertia
The Competition
The ROC Kahuna is a solid paddle board but it is by no means one of the best. If you truly want the best inflatable paddle board (in our opinion), the ISLE Explorer 3.0 is an incredible board that blends stability with speed. All of its accessories are of higher quality, the paddle is significantly better, and it’s a more stable and durable board. However, it costs $795 and the kayak accessories must be purchased separately.
Or, if you prefer a hard board, the Surftech Lido is a great all-around option. Measuring 10’6″′ x 32″ x 5″, the dimensions are similar but it weighs 6 pounds more. It also costs $955 but it’s incredibly stable and will save you the trouble of constantly inflating and deflating your board.
The Kahuna is a great budget inflatable paddle board. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a versatile, inflatable paddle board that doesn’t break the bank the ROC Kahuna should be right up your alley. The all-around design works in a wide range of conditions and the included kayak conversion accessories allow you to choose whether you want to paddle or kayak. For $225 (at the time of publishing), the Kahuna is a steal.
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZONEditor’s Note: For more options, including hardboards, here’s our overall Best Paddle Boards Review. We’ve also reviewed The Best SUP Paddles and The Best Lifejackets for Paddleboarding. Need something to wear when paddling? Here’s our guide to The Best Board Shorts, The Best Sun Hats, and The Best Rashguards. For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.
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