Man isn’t meant to stay indoors — our weekly “Trekking” column can attest to that. It’s a column dedicated to the adventurer inside of all of us, the one pining to ditch the office humdrum for a quick surf session or seven-week jaunt in the Grand Tetons. One day we may highlight an ultra-light stove and the next a set of handmade canoe paddles. Life doesn’t just happen inside the workplace, so get outside and live it.
These days, there’s no denying the appeal of stand up paddle boarding — and why would you? It’s a sport that basks in a kind of simplicity akin to hiking or yoga, one in which you move at your own pace in a serene environment of your own choosing, leisurely paddling about the water without the workout associated with more demanding sports like surfing. However, calm waters and relaxation aren’t for everyone, as the folks behind the Halo Peño Wave Rider ($1,300) can attest.
Related: The Manual’s Stand Up Paddle Board Guide
Although the Colorado-based Hala offers a bevy of stand up paddle boards, none of them are quite as versatile as the Peño. The inflatable board is designed for surfing park or play waves, reveling in a swallow tail design reliant on four fixed fins — or five, if you please — that let you track and quickly carve with the utmost precision. The board, inflatable in a matter of minutes, also comes lined with a full-length traction pad and a raised stomp pad, the latter component of which is designed to provide you with greater control while maneuvering through waves and wake. Moreover, the board’s 6-inch drop stitch is some most durable available, adding to its stability alongside its double-layered build. Best of all, it’s one of the few stand up paddle boards on the market you can control by standing in single place, giving it a feel more in line with a snowboard than your traditional paddle board.
However, the Peño’s maneuverability only comes second to its portability. When all is said and done, you can deflate the board and toss it in the bundled backpack, allowing you to pack it out without hassle. Now, if only surfboards functioned in the same way.
Check out Hala online for more information, to make a purchase, or to browse the company’s notable selection of stand up paddle boards and apparel.
