Right out of the gates (tailgate of my truck) I was excited about the Body Glove Performer 11 inflatable SUP. It was light and it came with an electric pump, both of which saved my arms for the gear test. And I needed the energy because these days paddling a kayak feels as natural as breathing or walking. But on a SUP I feel like a baby deer learning to take its first steps. I'm sure many of you feel that way, and hey, isn't that just part of the fun?
So if you're in the market for an inflatable SUP, first of all you're in great company. They are popular and interest in them is on fire lately. I talk about my paddling experience on the Meramec River in St. Louis. I hope this SUP review will help you figure out if this is the right board for you.
ABOUT THE BODY GLOVE PERFORMER 11 SUP
Price: $999 USD
Length: 11′
Width: 34″
Weight: 24 LBS (11 KG)
Capacity: 320 LBS (145 KG)
In terms of features, the 2022 update has an increased average width. It also has triple-layer stringers and side rails. For durability, it has a drop-stitch construction and a reinforced nose bumper. There's also a toe point on the noise, an action-camera mount, front cargo bungees, an EVA traction pad, a carry handle that doubles as a water bottle holder, cooler D-ring attachment points, and a durable triple-fin design. The Performer 11 package includes a three-piece paddle, the aforementioned electric pump, a high-pressure dual-action hand pump, a coil-ankle leash, a cellphone dry bag, a repair kit, and a storage backpack.
An additional intriguing benefit is that Body Glove is partnered with One Tree Planted. As the name suggests, for each Performer 11 sold, they will plant one tree.
Before we go any further (don't tune this out!)…
I wanted to give a quick shout-out to the American Canoe Association (ACA) free online paddling course. Paddling is generally safe and enjoyable, but when things do go wrong, they can escalate quickly. Often, a bit of key information can make the difference between an inconvenience and a disaster. And did I mention it was free? If you're reading this blog then that means you're probably already at your computer, so I highly recommend you click this link and take the course, maybe right after learning about the Performer 11.
How portable is the Body Glove Performer 11?
As I mentioned in the introduction, this board is light. I mean, 24 pounds is like a big bag of groceries, only shoved into an easy-to-carry backpack. Not only is it easy to lug around, it's also easy to inflate since the Body Glove package comes with that electric pump, which I used to take it all the way to 15 psi.
If you wanted to inflate it faster, you could use the hand pump to get it most of the way there and then top it off with the electric pump to add those last few, and hardest to inflate, pounds per square inch. Or, if you really want to get pumped by pumping, you could just sweat it out by doing the whole thing manually. I was much too lazy to do this, but it's not a bad warm up and it certainly doesn't hurt the beach-bod.
How wide is the Body Glove paddle board?
The Performer 11 SUP is 34 inches wide. This makes it a relatively wide paddleboard, which naturally translates into increased stability. That being said, it's not a floating dock. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want to paddle a floating dock all day. This thing has some stability, but it is still a stand up paddleboard and therefore, it is challenging and requires some focus/core-strength, especially with a bit of current like I had on the Meramec river.
How does the Body Glove Performer perform?
It's right there in the name but there's still a bit of nuance to be discussed. The Body Glove Performer 11 is designed to be an all-around performer, but not to excel in any one area. It has that moderate stability I just talked about, it cruises along nicely but isn't a speed demon, it tracks well but could probably do better with a longer center fin (but that could create a problem in shallow or rocky waters), it spins well when you want it to, and it's quite versatile in terms of conditions. I took this guy on some Class 1 river current and it performed beautifully. So overall, the Performer performed well across the board (get it?), even though the paddler himself has some work to do.
What features does the Performer 11 SUP have?
You get one heck of a package with the Performer 11. The board itself isn't particularly feature-rich, but the ones it does have are valuable. Something that all paddleboard and kayak companies should take note of is the action-camera mount. This thing is screwed in solid and not going anywhere, no matter the chop. The deck bungees are standard, but certainly still nice to see.
One of the more unique features is the dual-action handle. If you're heading out for a paddle of any worthwhile length then you have to stay hydrated. But how? The grab handle on the Performer 11 turns into a water bottle holder, thereby solving this age-old dilemma in a pretty creative way. Another little hack that SUP peeps have figured out is to attach a cooler to the board for further access to refreshments (of all kinds) and to have a makeshift seat for comfier breaks.
You can also attach rod-holders to the cooler if that's your fancy. So the built-in D-rings are a small touch that really open the door to accessorizing an otherwise straight-forward board. And finally, the EVA traction pad worked wonderfully for me. In the 6 hours I spent on the Meramec River, my feet didn't slip once. That's a big win. These traction pads are fairly standard on high-quality paddleboards but it still has to get the job done.
It's also worth talking about the paddle that comes with the Performer 11 package. It is a three-piece design and can adjust to a wide-range of lengths in order to accomodate paddlers between 5′ 2″ to 6′ 5″. I would say that for most people, this paddle will feel perfectly adequate and may be all they ever need. But if you're a little more dialed-in or looking to take your craft to the next level, then you will likely want to upgrade to something a little lighter and with that high-performance feel.
What is the weight limit for the Body Glove Performer 11?
The Body Glove Performer 11 SUP can support a maximum weight of 320 pounds. Not too shabby for an inflatable. Just keep in mind that this accounts for your own body weight plus whatever you happen to bring in that optional cooler.
Is the Body Glove Performer 11 worth it?
$999 USD is not a purchase to take lightly. However, I was certainly impressed by the extent of the Performer 11 package. For that investment, you get everything you need to go paddling except for a lifejacket. The electric pump and paddle are particular value-boosting stand-outs. I also have to say that the board design is really slick. You should never buy a SUP solely based on looks, but if it has everything else you need then this sure is a sweet bonus.
Who is the Performer 11 SUP for?
This is a versatile paddleboard. It's for anyone who wants to go out on flatwater to enjoy the day, or challenge themselves on a river with light or even moderate current (like I personally experienced). The kids will also have a great time tuckering themselves out without losing sight of their parents (who I'm sure won't mind the break). As I mentioned in the performance section, the Performer 11 doesn't excel at any particular metric, but it does a fine job at everything you could reasonably ask of it. As long as you're not looking for an unflippable platform, or a high-efficiency touring board, then you won't regret picking up this inflatable SUP.
I hope you enjoyed this review. If you want to see more from my adventure on the Meramec River, check out my Paddle Tales video here. And for more reviews, tips, and other paddle outings, head over to PaddleTV.
