Sroka Malibu 10’6 Review

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If you thought that the best things to come from France were its baguettes and patisseries then you were sorely mistaken! Are you still looking for your perfect all around paddleboard? Then this could be just the ticket. The latest Sroka Malibu 10’6 inflatable standup paddleboard is the brainchild of triple kitesurfing world champion Bruno Sroka. This Frenchman has brought to the market some of the most durable and affordable inflatable paddleboards currently available.

We love to try and test boards built by champions! These are the people that really understand the sport with inside knowledge of what it takes to succeed and to build the best performing boards that won’t let the price dictate their product.

Read on to find out just why we loved the Sroka Malibu 10’6 inflatable SUP board so much!

Specifications

What You’ll Get When You Purchase The Sroka Malibu 10’6

• The inflatable SUP of course
• Sroka’s comfortable backpack
• Dual-action hand pump
• Repair Kit

Review

Materials

Unlike many other brands Sroka uses a reinforced PVC material, much the same as found in semi-rigid speedboats and dinghies, this tough material offers a huge amount of durability. Whilst its fusion core technology helps to keep the weight down. Saving over 2kg compared to competitors’ boards.

The rails on each board are reinforced with 3 layers of the tough PVC fabric to really add to the overall rigidity of the board. This is all built on a rock-solid drop stitch core to provide the user the stiffness and performance desired.

Each year Sroka works hard to refine and develop its materials so it can always strive to offer the toughest products to its users. The Malibu 10’6″ is available in two really eye-catching colors, a vibrant blue, and an outstanding orange. The top decks are vibrant and stylish and the variety of solid colored undersides is a really nice touch to give a bit of choice to your board.

D-rings + Bungee

The Malibu 10’6 has opted for just two D-rings one on the tail to attach a board leash and one under the nose which can be used for towing or tieing down your board. The decklines are secured through fabric tabs, something we have not seen on other boards but certainly a great option for reducing weight and bulk. On the other hand, having only 2 D-rings really limits the possibility for tieing things down.

Deck Pad

The comfortable contoured EVA deck pad offers good coverage and is super comfortable underfoot, providing plenty of grips even when wet. These dual-colored deck pads are subtle, sleek, and stylish.

Fins

The Malibu 10’6″ is shipped with 3 removable fins, this means you can really optimize your set up between being a cruiser or an all-around this is a real advantage if you want to use your board in a variety of conditions. The easy fitting makes it quick and easy to add or remove fins and is definitely a great option for reducing bulk when storing.

Inflate/Deflate

The Sroka Malibu 10’6″ has the feel of a performance board, this is largely due to its form and build quality the strong drop-stitch core is ready to hold 15 – 17 PSI of pressure and takes about 8-9 minutes to reach its optimum pressure.

Overall Performance

Once you’ve arrived at the beach, unrolled your board, and pumped it up to optimal pressure it’s really time to hit the water.

For us, this is the most fun part of the whole experience. As we push off from the sand into the warm waters we always have a moment of wondering just how a board will feel. Will it surprise us? Or just what’s going to happen?

The Malibu 10’6 felt firm and stable underfoot, the solid feel really inspired confidence right from the first paddle strokes. As we cruised around the bay we felt the board tracking straight and true. We felt fully in control and the 32” beam really allowed us to get from rail to rail quickly and still turn on a dime. The tri-fin set up was forgiving yet really versatile for any situation, the board felt strong and really durable. We were able to cruise, maneuver, and even surf some small waves with ease.

For the beginner or intermediate rider, the Sroka Malibu is a board that wants to keep on giving, it’s a board that you won’t grow out of and offers enough volume to share the ride with a child or dog so everyone can enjoy the experience.

Accessories

Paddle

Just to be clear, a paddle is not included with the Malibu 10’6 package deal so definitely remember to order one at the time of purchase so you can get straight out and enjoy!

Sroka carbon fiber paddle – not included in the package deal!

For the testing of this Sroka SUP, we had the opportunity to try out the new carbon fiber paddle of Sroka, and man, that’s such a nice light paddle! Sometimes you get a cheap aluminum paddle included in your SUP package but, most of the time, people find it too heavy and not easy to use. So we fully understand Bruno Sroka (especially since he’s a three times world champion and has lots of knowledge in this field) to leave out a cheap aluminum paddle and let the buyer chose his/her paddle. Just think about how much you’ll use the paddle while paddleboarding… It’s certainly worthy to invest in a good quality paddle! Saying that; just get the Sroka carbon fiber paddle! It even looks good with the Malibu board 🙂

Pump

Sroka has really listened when people have said they want more time on the water and less time pumping. By using a really nice dual action pump the Malibu can be up and ready to paddle in as little as 8 minutes. The dual-action pump allows both high volume and high-pressure input to really get the board up to 15-17PSI as quickly and easily as possible.

Bag

So the main reason for buying an inflatable is for its incredible portability, this is aided by the bag. This edition of the Malibu 10’6” is 20% lighter with its fusion technology making it even more portable. The backpacks are built in two colors either orange or blue to match your board. Each bag is designed to fit the board perfectly with enough space for all your accessories. The stylish bags are strong, durable, and built to last with added padded backpack straps for comfortable carrying.

Repair Kit

A small repair kit is included with every board, be sure to familiarise yourself with your repair kit and add any extra pieces you may need when disaster strikes.

Pros

• Triple-layered rails are super durable
• Fusion technology sheds precious 20% of the weight
• Included pump is fast and easy to use
• Tri fin set up is versatile and easy to use
• Great looking colorful design available in two colors

Cons

• No paddle or leash is included in the package
• Only 2 D-rings on the board

Conclusion

The Sroka Malibu 10’6” is certainly an inflatable stand up paddle board designed and built by a world champion with all the performance needed for an expert to rip, or for a beginner to hop on and cruise away with ease.

The versatility of the Malibu 10’6 is the perfect example of a paddleboard that really suits the whole family. Whether heading away on your own or with a child on board the Malibu has the stability and performance to paddle with ease.

If you want a shorter board certainly check out the Malibu 10’ from the Sroka lineup for a more compact option.

All Sroka SUP boards are covered by a 2-year warranty on the PVC and a year on manufacturing, this is sure proof of the trust they give to their materials and technologies.

If you really want one board for all, the Sroka Malibu 10’6 is a great priced all-around paddleboard still offering amazing performance and versatility for all users.