Review for McConks paddleboards
Verified ownerAmazing board and very high quality. So happy
Verified ownerReally enjoying the board. I’ve had it out a few times now on lakes, river and sea and it has performed well on all of them. Really stable board, even managed to get paddling with our dog aboard too!
Verified ownerBeing a shorter, larger lady I wanted a touring board that I knew I could get back onto and wouldn't be too hard to control and this board ticked all the boxes. I've been out on it a few times now and I love it! Great extra touches too, the additional handles make it easier to move the board on land and lots of bungees make carrying lots on water a doddle. I am a very happy paddler!!
Verified ownerAfter trying a few McConks boards, I chose this board as I just seemed to connect with it, and it just felt right. Maybe it's because I'm a lighter paddler, but I found the narrower board great for getting a good paddle stroke in.
What people think of McConks as a company
| 5 star | 96% | |
| 4 star | 3% | |
| 3 star | 1% | |
| 2 star | 0% | |
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Five Star reviews for McConks paddleboards
| 5 star | 96% | |
| 4 star | 3% | |
| 3 star | 1% | |
| 2 star | 0% | |
| 1 star | 0% |
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Amazing board and very high quality. So happy
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Really enjoying the board. I’ve had it out a few times now on lakes, river and sea and it has performed well on all of them. Really stable board, even managed to get paddling with our dog aboard too!
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Being a shorter, larger lady I wanted a touring board that I knew I could get back onto and wouldn’t be too hard to control and this board ticked all the boxes. I’ve been out on it a few times now and I love it! Great extra touches too, the additional handles make it easier to move the board on land and lots of bungees make carrying lots on water a doddle. I am a very happy paddler!!
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After trying a few McConks boards, I chose this board as I just seemed to connect with it, and it just felt right. Maybe it’s because I’m a lighter paddler, but I found the narrower board great for getting a good paddle stroke in.
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I’ve upgraded from the old MCconks 12.5 to the New 14 foot go explore .And when I first got on it was quicker more speed .When I stood up it was very stable and it really goes quick once you start paddleing .I like the new blue colour scheme also .
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After using the old version of the 14ft tourer for the last three years, this is a much improved version all around. It feels different thanks to its slight V shaped bow which I personally think, through weight shift, also helps edge the board when turning. It also cleanly cuts through the water although not had it long enough to test the difference in improved efficiency against the old version. Both gear bungees front and back are improved and have quick release clasps helping ties down bags and kit on the deck. all in all, a very stable and efficient tourer that stands up to all conditions from smooth canals, faster rivers and exposed coastal journeys
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The perfect board for a larger paddler! In search of adventure and more stability I stumbled across mconks 10.8isup all rounder and instantly fell in love. As a disabled paddler standing has always been a challenge. The stability of this board filled me with confidence and has me on my feet at every opportunity. Its maneuvers well in the water. Its easy to carry as its not to bulky. The unique shape means I can forward roll up and down the board and step back turn as it’s intended of course. Having 3 removable fins was a big selling point for me! I often paddle in ‘interesting’ places so being able to remove or switch out fins is essential. My only niggle is the screw mechanism on the inflation pin but that’s due to my dexterity…ill adapt!
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This board just glides it is a pleasure to paddle also a prefect board to instruct from.
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The Go Mega board is an amazing craft the build quality is top level.
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I have been waiting for this board for a while now and it is SOOOOOO worth the wait. It just tacks so well and glides through the water even with a nice chop on the water. There is loads of room too we had a seat (McConks again and that’s so good too), a bin, a dog, 7 year old and myself and the board didn’t flex at all and was stable even with us all moving around. There are some really nice touches to this board as well, such as removable handle covers so they can be cleaned. The front has shaping like the bottom of a boat which really helps cut through waves. My favourite touch is the colour scheme, it’s just so tidy and unmistakably a McConks board which makes it a little bit special. It’s just perfect for us and look forward to using it again and again.
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Absolutely love it!! Moved my paddling experience to max!
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Very stable, aesthetically pleasing, easy to use
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I’ve had a surfboard for years, and as a family we used to go surfing with the kids during the summer months. As the kids grew up and left home the poor surfboard sat there in the garage unused, and quite possibly feeling unloved. Years passed and it never got used. Skip to this summer (2022) and a chance visit to South Devon. We went to the beach and there in front of my eyes, were paddle boarders. All shapes and sizes but they had these boards that, unlike my hard surfboard, could be inflated and deflated at will and easily transported in a bag. Not only did it look easy to transport, but it also looked easy to do. It was then I had an epiphany, I want a paddleboard. It would certainly be easy to transport, and I could do it at the seaside, in local rivers and on local lakes. I was sold!! I went home and immediately sold my surfboard and went in search for a board.
after a lot of searching, researching and head scratching, I found a board I liked and went and did a lesson/tour in Bath with a company that used them. Loved it!! This was the board I wanted however, the chap taking the lesson said get yourself a good fitting Buoyancy aid so I did, and after chatting to a chap at the shop, excitement got the better of me and I bought a board that wasn’t the one I had intended on buying. Whilst it felt ok, and looked pretty good, there was something about it that just wasn’t right for me.
I started to wonder about it and started looking around again. As a member of a lake that has McConks boards as rentals, I had seen them but had never thought about them as an option.
One day my son hired one and we went out together. It seemed a pretty sturdy board and had everything on it that the first board I’d seen had, wide, thick and plenty of storage space PLUS a GoPro mount!!!
I started to research them and found them to be a local company with good environmental ethics and a great board package.
After speaking to them for a bit, I couldn’t make up my mind on the 11’4 or the bigger 12’8. After speaking to Mr McConk himself, we decided as I was going on holiday very soon, to try the 12’8 and if I wasn’t happy I could swap it for the 11’4. Deal done.
I ordered the board, it arrived very quickly and, surprisingly to me, it came with a paddle in a separate bag!!! Not what I’d expected at all. Unpacking it, everything was really good quality with attention to detail. Everything about it felt quality.
I took it on holiday to Salcombe, with my sons, and we paddled up and down the estuary and I felt it easy to paddle and really stable and safe on it.
Whilst this board was a little pricier than my original one, it is far superior to the 11’4 I bought and I feel you get what you pay for and I happy with it.
I would also say, the other thing with McConks is the support I’ve had from them and the community they have. I feel like I have bought a fantastic product and have become part of a family. The information and articles shared within the community make it feel special and that I’m definitely part of a family.I love my McConks 12’8 Go Explore, wish I’d bought it first as it is my forever board.
If you’re looking for a great board, great service and be part of something bigger buy a McConks. You won’t regret it.
My only regret is I didn’t find them sooner. -
a very well made paddle board. I should of brought a McConks board first instead of buying a poor quality one.
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This is a tough board that just glides through the water, and like it says go anywhere; sea, river, canals
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Absolutely love my new board. ❤️
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Love the board! Great design and a stable comfortable board thats still manoeuvrable and fun to play on ?
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Very please with our paddle board, feels well made and handles well. Weve been using ours for 2 summers with no problems. Had a few questions before purchase that were answered in quickly and were very helpful.
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Very happy with this board, purchased after having lessons on the go anywhere, tried a few other makes but didn’t like them as much. Went for this as I find its great for a couple of hours on the sea or a full day out on the river. Nice and stable, moves well through the water and able to carry enough kit for a day out and more. Add to this the great customer service and I couldn’t be happier with my decision.
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Amazing boards. Had ours for a few years now and use them loads. Great for river day trips which what we do most but definitely capable of more. Also great for messing around with small people on holiday and doing shorter picnic adventurers. Andy was so helpful when we bought – lots of advice, no pressure to decide. He’s also super helpful when consumables need replacing or if you lose a fin! All round great product from great company.
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A perfect board for touring or fir just short trips. Extremely stable and quick through the water. Very well made and comes with a selection of leashes for your safety on various waters.
I even use this board to teach persons for Improver Sessions. -
We decided to buy a SUP back in the early summer of 2020 when everything was a little bit crazy. A friend had recommended McConks kit to us so we started chatting with Andy by email to identify which would be the best board for us. The 12’8” seemed the best fit for us and McConks kept us informed through all the delivery uncertainties at that time and managed to deliver the board just in time for our eagerly awaited holiday.
Two and a half years later, and I can confirm that the board is everything we hoped for and more. We’ve used on our local river, on some big lakes and on the Welsh and Scottish coast. It’s very versatile, covering distance easily on flat water, feeling reassuringly stable in big seas and it handles well for some fun in the surf. We haven’t tried touring yet, but there would be plenty of space for camping kit.
The build quality seems excellent, both of the board and the rest of the package. We went for the carbon paddle upgrade and it is certainly a pleasure to use through a long day. The triple action pump upgrade is worth it too; this is a big board with a lot of volume to fill. Even the dry bag seems to be higher quality than many similar products out there. We’ve lost a small fin and bolt or two due to careless kids’ use, but McConks replaced them very quickly for us.
Looking forward to many more adventures!
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I have had my Mc Conks “GO Explore” 12’8 for 2 years now and from the very first time i stepped on it i understood the benefits of a quality Board vs lower quality ,not necessarily cheaper boards.
For the first time hitting waves on the sea was not a problem this board is so super stable and gives you great confidence.
I bored my mates so much that after having a go on mine they both bought their own and they rave about them too.
The build quality is clearly top notch with lots of little details that show Mc Conks know what a great SUP should have ,like plenty of storage ,great carry straps, camera mounts and nice grippy platform.
Almost forgot to say that the storage bag is the best that i have seen ,easy access ,strong with shoulder straps and wheels.
Buy with complete confidence. -
V stable board delighted with purchase
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This has to be the go to board for use on rivers , lakes and sea. Copes well in anything from surf to a day’s touring on the river.
The bag makes transporting the board easy and there is a practical pocket on the front is a great addition.
Pre sales advice was excellent without feeling pressured to buy. Fast and efficient delivery.
When I lost a fin, thorough my own mistake it was replaced promptly and with no quibble.
Would buy again! -
I bought the 12’8 as my first paddle board in September 2020 after a lot of research and dreaming. I wanted a board that was ethical in production, performed well and was value for money. I spoke to Andy directly, took his advice and visited the demo centre in the Cotswolds. It ticked all the boxes. I ordered it on a pre order and couldn’t wait to get out on it.
I’ve not looked back. It is stable, glides smoothly over the water. It is perfect for long paddle adventures. In fact I love it so much I’ve recommended it to friends and friends of friends who’ve also bought from McConks.
We are now a 3 board family (all 12’8s).and have now had 2 full years of year round paddles.
The customer service has been excellent and any issues have been handled efficiently. I would highly recommend any of the McConks products – and the board selector feature on the website is a great way of finding out which board is right for you – so helpful if you’re starting out as a complete newbie to all things SUP.
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I got the 12.8 last year and Waited to get a full season befor reviewing
Firstly the board. Love it! Top quality in the build.
Used it numerous times on the sea, lakes and rivers and never let me down. On a sea trip I even had a foldable BBQ, charcoal and food all secured in a dry bag, fun paddle then a beach BBQ. Great that storage straps front and back.Nice and stable except for when the kids play “let’s knock Dad off his board”
Storage bag has ample space so never an issue to pack away. Also impressed that comes with a quick release belt so right from the start they are already taking your safety seriously.
McConks – Excellent service. I got mine when the all the decent manufacturers were having supplies issues due to COVID. They kept me in the loop and always came back to me within a reasonable time. Yes I had to wait but if you wanted quality that was the market at the time.
Also did something for me which totally shows the customer service. In a rookie error I forgot to fasten the valve cover and lost it on a paddle. I asked Andy via email how can I go about getting a new one. Could have got one from Amazon but wanted a genuine one so the colours march. Expecting them to come back with a price, he found a used one and sent it in the post. They took the time to look and and send one out free. Still on my board and jus that little things showed the right customer service ethos.I went on to buy a dry bag and carbon paddle.
In summary, great board with service to match. I also own another McConks board and would thoroughly recommend the 12″8, the 11″6 and McConks
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I’ve had a surfboard for years, and as a family we used to go surfing with the kids during the summer months. As the kids grew up and left home the poor surfboard sat there in the garage unused, and quite possibly feeling unloved. Years passed and it never got used. Skip to this summer (2022) and a chance visit to South Devon. We went to the beach and there in front of my eyes, were paddle boarders. All shapes and sizes but they had these boards that, unlike my hard surfboard, could be inflated and deflated at will and easily transported in a bag. Not only did it look easy to transport, but it also looked easy to do. It was then I had an epiphany, I want a paddleboard. It would certainly be easy to transport, and I could do it at the seaside, in local rivers and on local lakes. I was sold!! I went home and immediately sold my surfboard and went in search for a board.
after a lot of searching, researching and head scratching, I found a board I liked and went and did a lesson/tour in Bath with a company that used them. Loved it!! This was the board I wanted however, the chap taking the lesson said get yourself a good fitting Buoyancy aid so I did, and after chatting to a chap at the shop, excitement got the better of me and I bought a board that wasn’t the one I had intended on buying. Whilst it felt ok, and looked pretty good, there was something about it that just wasn’t right for me.
I started to wonder about it and started looking around again. As a member of a lake that has McConks boards as rentals, I had seen them but had never thought about them as an option.
One day my son hired one and we went out together. It seemed a pretty sturdy board and had everything on it that the first board I’d seen had, wide, thick and plenty of storage space PLUS a GoPro mount!!!
I started to research them and found them to be a local company with good environmental ethics and a great board package.
After speaking to them for a bit, I couldn’t make up my mind on the 11’4 or the bigger 12’8. After speaking to Mr McConk himself, we decided as I was going on holiday very soon, to try the 12’8 and if I wasn’t happy I could swap it for the 11’4. Deal done.
I ordered the board, it arrived very quickly and, surprisingly to me, it came with a paddle in a separate bag!!! Not what I’d expected at all. Unpacking it, everything was really good quality with attention to detail. Everything about it felt quality.
I took it on holiday to Salcombe, with my sons, and we paddled up and down the estuary and I felt it easy to paddle and really stable and safe on it.
Whilst this board was a little pricier than my original one, it is far superior to the 11’4 I bought and I feel you get what you pay for and I happy with it.
I would also say, the other thing with McConks is the support I’ve had from them and the community they have. I feel like I have bought a fantastic product and have become part of a family. The information and articles shared within the community make it feel special and that I’m definitely part of a family.I love my McConks 12’8 Go Explore, wish I’d bought it first as it is my forever board.
If you’re looking for a great board, great service and be part of something bigger buy a McConks. You won’t regret it.
My only regret is I didn’t find them sooner. -
Having now had this board for over a year, I can safely say it is an absolutely amazing board. I have used it on numerous 5-6 mile coastal trips in a variety of conditions, including a skill session in 6ft swell and 20 mph winds, and it has been brilliant. I stopped using the 2 side fins about 8 months ago and it doesn’t feel any less stable. I have also upgraded to a full carbon paddle as well. The board tracks well and is pretty quick for a wide board. Highly recommended
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We’ve owned our go explore board for a few years now. Our boys were 5 and 8 at the time and they both took to paddle boarding like a duck to water. The board, the support from McConks and the experience have all been superb. I rarely recommend to other people, but McConks is the exception. We all love paddling our paddleboard, on the sea, lake or a river. Sometimes we go two up without issue, even with my slightly excessive weight. Highly recommended.
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Bought a pair for myself and my son last year for paddling on rivers. Very stable but still with a good turn of speed. Son’s even done an amount of what water on his, Yat on the Wye and Derwent down into Matlock. And it came with a leash and belt so super easy to paddle safely without the leash getting in the way. And te solid carry case has kept them in excellent condition.
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This is a cracking touring board. I’ve used it on the coast is reasonable swell 1m + and wind and its good, stable, tracks well, lots of space for gear and doesn’t weigh too much.
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Decided to buy this board after using it in my beginners’ lessons. I’m fairly tall so wanted to have a longer board. It handles well (it was pretty windy last time I went paddling!) and the accessories are all of good quality.
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I have had this board for 2 years and I am very, very pleased with it. In terms of features and build quality I think it is equivalent to (or better than), other boards costing significantly more, a fact which has made SUP’ing friends with more expensive boards quite jealous! I have done several long coastal paddles around Pembrokeshire and the Gower, the board is very stable, well balanced and tracks well, all contributing to greater range. The removable side bite fins add flexibility to the set up allowing adjustment to the conditions. I have also done numerous river and lake trips, here the board glides with minimum effort, a 23km paddle down the Charente earlier this year was a pleasure! Having a board with this many handles is a real advantage when it comes to getting it in and out of the water. The transport bag is excellent, plenty big enough for the essentials and more without a squeeze (I got 2 x wet suits, a spare paddle, and buoyancy aid in there as well during the trip to France). I think this board represents excellent value for money, pair it with the right paddle and you’ll go a long way!
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Have used this board many time over the last year since I bought it. Very stable, glides well and good quality materials. Have used it both on canals and the sea in France. Buying direct, also means great service.
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I bought this last year it is amazing board I’m a heavy guy and carry a lot of kit on the front deck as I am training to be a paddle sports leader. It tracks beautifully and I find it very stable with so much deck space available even when loaded up there is plenty of room to move to trim the board for the conditions. I paddle in mixed group in terms of craft so if it goes on the water and is paddle it’s in the group. Nothing quite like two people and a 17-foot canoe on your paddle board so you can drain the water out and get the paddler back in their craft dry and safe.
on the see, rivers or the lake district it has performed over and over again stability, control, tracking and speed are all exceptional without having multiple boards for different days. -
Love this board! I bought a 12′ 8″ for my wife a few years back and she loves it. We were swapping back and forth on it and it was so smooth through the water that I decided to get a second one for myself. I had used other brands previously (my friends) but honestly the shape and length of this suited me perfectly. I use it on lakes, rivers and the sea and it is equally brilliant in each case. I even use it for surfing in white water and it is so much fun. Build quality is excellent and proven by a close encounter with a bus one day when I was carrying it to the beach and a bus clipped it, sending it flying down the road. Nothing but a scuff from where it hit the tarmac on landing, and that cleaned up! Next step I am considering a inflatable sail to see how it handles windsurfing – All in all a brilliant board. I have been a fan of McConks since they started up and even as a small family business, they stand up against the multinational brands. I research the bizingo out of anything I spend hard earned money on and they are of the best quality. Yes there are cheaper boards out there and more expensive to, the cheaper are generally poor quality, will be line a banana on the water and literally blow up if over inflated. McConks are rated to 27PSI which is MASSIVE! in SUP terms. Rock solid on the water, top construction internally which is what all the top boards use. The cheap boards are basically an expensive lilo, you see them at the beach and they are rubbish. MCConks will last a lifetime and maintain their value. Don’t hesitate!
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The board is fantastic, quick, stable, smooth through the water and more than capable of handling a bigger paddler like me along with capacity for camping kit.
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Ideal touring board; stable but with good glide. Plenty of handles for carrying/ manoeuvring. Comes witha top quality bag. I have x2 of these boards; bought one for my son after he lusted after my board, also bought a whitewater sup. I have x2 of these boards; bought one for my son after he lusted after my board, also bought a whitewater sup.
Same quality as the more expensive brands and much better than boards of a similar price.
McConks give great service as well; swift delivery, easy contact, prompt replies and very helpful. Genuinely a family operation.McConks;My “go to” choice.
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My first board was a McConks 10’6” Go Anywhere – really nice board, but after a while I decided that something bigger and more focused towards touring would suit my paddling better. Having been very happy with the Go Anywhere (and the support from McConks when I bought it) I sold it to a friend and bought the Go Explore.
Really enjoying it. It’s a well-built robust board, with the build quality I would expect from a premium manufacturer like McConks. The design is well thought out, with well placed handles and plenty of storage space front and rear. It glides and tracks well, so is great on longer trips. It is very stable even when there’s a bit of chop on the water. The accessories that come with it (leash, bag etc) are also great quality and well designed.
The only downside is that being a bigger board than my last one, it takes a bit longer to pump up! I’m very happy with this board and would recommend it 100%.
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Signed up to SUP lessons last year, and got to try lots of different boards, and by far this was my favourite.
Bought my own when the lessons ended and been out constantly with it in the open water, and would recommend it to anyone.
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Excellent quality and a pleasure to use. Been using it regularly all year round and still in very good condition and no issues.
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Delivered yesterday and I was on the water within an hour. Love my new Go Explore 12 8. It glides and tracks beautifully. Going to get a load of use for sure. Thanks
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On my 3rd board this 12.8 is by far the best board so happy with it and I’ve tried other boards took my time which I preferred this won hands down build quality is perfect too and speedy and glides tracks all I wanted love it ?????
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Solid and stable. So much better than an entry level 10″6. I love this board and feel like I can travel smoother, further and faster. So much more stable; I now (mostly) only fall off when I want to! I can be a lot braver when having a go at stepback turns now!
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Just love it! Nice stable board and a bag that you can wheel about and big enough for additional kit into
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I used this board for the first time yesterday on a 5.72 mile round trip from Lulworth cove to Durdle Door, Bath hole and back and found it to be an absolutely awesome ride. Very stable and tracking was excellent. It also handled to slight swell with comparative ease. It was a real pleasure to paddle and I cannot wait to get back on it
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Absolutely love this board! So stable and such a pleasure to paddle!
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Exactly as described! This is a robust well designed board for the serious tourer. we were looking for multi day touring boards and came to Mcconks for them after being recommended by a friend. We have used these boards extensively in the past two years, day touring and multiple day unsupported coastal touring in Scotland and the Mediterranean . They have been repeatedly inflated , deflated stuffed in bags chucked in vehicles , loaded with drybags, ( and our dog) survived impromptu landing on rocky shorelines, roasted in 35 degree heat and used for protection from biting sub zero Scottish snow!storms!
Quality kit ! we wanted boards we could have confidence in for our adventures , these SUPi’s have given us that in bucket loads.
Thanks -
I have now had by Go Explore 14′ board for over 18months and have been truly delighted with it. I use it extensively on the Kennet & Avon Canal, River Avon around Bath, Cotswold Water Park and in Poole Harbour on the south coast. In all these locations it has proven a delight to paddle and navigate. I have invested in two dry bags for fore and aft storage for day and overnight expeditions and have both hand and electric car pumps for bankside inflation.
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I have been on a few overnight SUP adventures but the iSUP or Hardboard I already own didn’t fully deliver. After looking online for a number of months, reading various reviews I decided to ask on a McConk forum & the honesty of the community on there helped sway me. The 14’ tourer was the one I chose. I’ve used it for a few long days both with a lot of kit & also with nothing. It feels super stable & very strong. I can’t wait to use it for multi-day events as soon as possible! Great bit of kit & would recommend it & the McConk brand all day long! ??
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What a board! Stick a single touring fin in and go for a social paddle, it tracks surprisingly well for an 11ft board. Being very stable it’s a great board for lure fishing off. Just seems perfectly balanced for being silly on and making full use of the deck pad and kicker, and it’s much more predictable than some other boards around this length i have been on. Not got to use it as much as I would like as the kids have also declared it their favourite. They like all the handles, and enjoy having infinite fin configurations to chose from. I have only managed one whitewater session so far, so spent more time getting back on than riding waves, the real benefit of all the handles became apparent! It’s a very well made board, which with its limited printed graphics will age gracefully as it gets bumped and bruised. Customer service Mcconks provide is second to none.
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My first McConks board. Really good board, I use it for instructing as well as a bit of touring and river. I like the additional hand holds that other don’t have.
Stable board great to use. -
First SUP I’ve actually owned, but this is a really well made, versatile board. The multiple handles are really handy in a number of situations and it’s a pleasure out on the water.
There were shipping delays and some confusion with the order but McConks were super helpful throughout and Andy bent over backwards to make sure I had a board when I needed it.
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Excellent piece of kit. Well made and very durable in all waters. Kids love having fun on it along with Cindy the dog who sits very proudly on it Saying, “look at me everyone!”
Highly recommended. -
I’ve had my 11.4 for 3 years and it’s been used regularly on local rivers all over Cornwall and France. And I love my board. It’s well built, stable and fairly fast. Looking forward to doing some long distance overnight trips next year for another perspective on SUP exploring. My grandsons also love being on board with granddad.
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Love my board! I have lots of fun using it. My partner can sit on the front of the board whilst I paddle at the back 🙂 suitable for total beginners (like me!) Easy to inflate, transport and carry. Would highly recommend!
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Have used this board many time over the last year since I bought it. Very stable, glides well and good quality materials. Going for this as the slightly shorted explorer board, also means manoverability is great. Have used it both on canals and the sea in France. Buying direct, also means great service.
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I absolutely love this board! I had a 10’8 board before, which was good, but I much prefer this. I’ve been paddling for a little while but not ages, so I wanted something a little faster than the Go Anywhere board but nothing too sleek and tippy – this hits the spot. When I was considering the upgrade, Andy at McConks advised me to try them both and suggested a centre where I could compare them. It was a no brainer and that’s the sort of service that will keep me loyal to these guys – they really care.
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Bought my board eighteen months ago after considerable research. McConks were very helpful and responsive to my questions and some delivery issues in the immediate aftermath of Covid. I would certainly buy from them again if I ever need a new board. Having said that I doubt that I will be needing a new board any time soon. The one I have is excellent, sturdy and well made. Despite my being a newbie to the sport and considerably older than most I had no difficulty using it on the flatter water for which it is designed. It is reasonably stable, it is quick and effortless to paddle and it tracks well. Just what I wanted.
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Great board for stepping up from a beginner or general purpose board. I wanted the compact size mainly for day touring and because I’m not huge (5’3″) and it doesn’t disappoint as there is plenty of room for kit, front and back yet it’s still easy to manoeuvre with more speed than a general board. I’ve taken it on the sea and rivers with various flow and its managed really well and seems very robust. My adult son has only paddled a handful of times but now prefers this board, despite it being more ‘tippy’ than a general purpose board. Great board and very good value.
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Excellent quality board. My friend’s cheaper boards are already falling apart while this is going strong. Well made and excellent communication from the McConks team. A bit thinner which is a good challenge for balance on rougher waters but super fun. Do recommend!
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Excellent board and service, it’s so good we bought another one a few months later.
It’s a great size and buoyancy for one person + kit, but could also easily take 2 x people. Build quality so far seems excellent.
The only negative point is the bag broke within a few months of owning it, but the actual board is great. -
Fabulous board, great quality, robust and stable but also very manoeuvrable and good fun in choppy waters. I have had it now for nearly 3 years and it is still in perfect conditions.
The accessories it comes with are very good quality, the bag is perfect for traveling, sturdy and the wheels are great.
Andy cares a lot for his customers and will always reply very quickly to any enquiries.
I cannot see myself changing brand any time soon!
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These boards are just great. Versatile durable and easy to transport. We have used them to tour around the Scillies and scotland. Good glide, robust and still going strong after 3 years. Not the fastest, but great from Ato B in sea and rivers.
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I love this board, it is perfect for anyone who is starting paddle boarding and also for those more advanced. It is wide enough for beginners and I find it very stable.
Also the accessories it comes with are very good quality, the bag is perfect for traveling as it is robust and the wheels are very useful.
It is clear that as a family run UK company they focus on quality and customer satisfaction.
In terms of customer service, Andy cares very much and replies to enquiries straight away. When I bought this board, I had also bought the seat that can be mounted to sit down, however it then turned out that this board doesn’t have the correct d-rings to fit the seat: Andy was very understanding, he sent me a refund for the seat but also spare d-rings and glue so that I could stick them on the board and still use the seat.
Since I bought the board, I have recommended McConks to everybody and I cannot see myself changing brand any time soon.
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Love my board, it’s awesome. Clearly been designed and built well by people who love this sport. I paddle all year, generally in the sea but have had great fun in rivers and canals as well. I’m 5”11 and around 90kg and have great balance on it, yet still fun.
Team McConks customer service has been spot on, communication was prompt when needed, and resolved a delivery issue promptly.
Above and beyond is the information / advice videos they put out, loved these in my research stage!
Thank you team M
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The board is a great all rounder used in the canals, rivers and Sea in my local area. It seems far more stable at the higher PSI capacity than cheaper boards.
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Excellent build quality, very well thought out design, great non-slip deck, stable, manoeuvrable, very good value and tremendous fun.
Being new to SUP there are probably others better qualified than me to do a review. This is only the second board we’ve used, having learned to paddle this week on holiday, and so we don’t have much to compare it with. That said the quality of the board and paddle are plain to see.
We had our maiden voyage today at Chelmarsh Sailing Club in Shropshire and Ellen was off like a rocket – the stability of the ride was very confidence-inspiring. After about 500m of paddling I found the sweet spot and was able to drive the board in a straight line without swapping sides and I even managed to sink a rail consistently.
I really like the kick-pad at the back of the board and I spent a happy half hour practising step back turns (although in reality I was practising self-rescue more often than not). When I got it right it was very rewarding as the board just flew around.
We went for the carbon fibre shaft/nylon blade paddle upgrade which I feel was money well spent as the paddle felt nicely balanced. I would have liked a better blade but it wasn’t an option. It would be useful if there were index marks on both joints to speed up assembling the paddle although adding my own was simple enough.
Everything packs up neatly in the bag which also seems robust and the wheels are really useful.
We paid extra for the better hand pump. It took me about 6 minutes to get up to 19. The pump is all plastic but seemed to the job fine.
Dealing with McConks was very easy, I like the fact that they are direct to customer and speaking to an experienced paddler at the club, both the company and their boards have an excellent reputation.
As you can probably tell by now, I think the board is great. As absolute beginners we both found it really easy to paddle and I feel that there is plenty of room to grow with the board as we improve.
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Excellent build quality, very well thought out design, great non-slip deck, stable, manoeuvreable and great fun.
My wife and I learned to paddle on holiday in Cornwall
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I bought this board after a lot of research, and absolutely love it. Paddles in a straight line easily, relatively light given the size, and super stable. Everything that comes with it is great quality. Very happy, thanks! 🙂
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Having started SUP’ing on a 10’6” board from another company (not blue or green), then trying a longer touring board (from a different galaxy), I decided I wanted the best of both worlds!
Enter McConks! I’d seen them online and talked about them with a friend who’d met Andrew, but there was none to try within and hour and a half of me. A few messages later and I was trying the 11’4” Go Explore.
Now, if I’m brutally honest, I wasn’t sure about this board on my first time out (on glass like water), but I took it out a second time (7-9mph winds) and started to fall in love! Turns out I’d just had a bad day and I was so worried about falling in on the first trip that it turned my legs to jelly! After that and a good talking to by myself, Andrew and another instructor friend, I took it out, threw myself off it, got back on and never looked back!
I love this board! I weigh about 90kg (honest!… ok, sometimes nearer 93… 95 then!) and am 5’11”. I’m as supple as a concrete lintel. I inflate the board to 18psi and away I go. It feels super rigid and I’m told by people paddling next to me that it sits really well in the water. It’s got D rings aplenty and plenty of storage space and the deck pad feels super grippy.
Everything about the board and the rest of the kit feels premium quality (I opted for the carbon/bamboo 3 piece paddle) and I love it!
Price wise, I genuinely believe that McConks are consistently £200 cheaper than other manufacturers at the same or similar standard. Couple that with fantastic communication and customer service and I believe you could do a lot worse with more money!
A GREAT FAMILY RUN, ETHICAL COMPANY WITH GREAT PRODUCTS!!
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Incredibly stable and fast. Looking forward to taking it on some big adventures!
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Fantastic smooth and quick board. Very well made, lots of attachment points and handles. Good grip on the deck and paddles so well. Very stable considering its width. Often chosen by paddlers over the other boards I have.
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McConks 12′ 8″ Go Anywhere Explorer iSUP.
After taking the advice from a few mates and chatting to Andy McConk (Andy was really helpful and enthusiastic about iSUP’s) I decided to go for the McConks 12′ 8″ Go Anywhere Explorer as I live next to a couple of large coastal lagoons and wanted something that would be good for both exploring and fishing.
I’ve been out on it a few times and I’m really happy with the build quality and performance. Before I bought the board I was a bit worried about the build quality but my qualms were totally unfounded as it’s bombproof and rock solid. Performance wise the board glides and tracks in a straight line very well (even in a choppy cross sea) but is still easy to manoeuvre.
10/10 for a top quality board at a sensible price with great customer service. -
Got to use my new Go Explore SUP last weekend and I’m completely addicted. Even got up at 6am yesterday to squeeze a cheeky session before work. The Board and package is simply first class as was the advice and service from Andy.
If you are looking for a high quality SUP at a sensible price, I would not hesitate to highly recommend McConks. Thank you -
Hi Andy
I first wrote to you last year (2018) but didn’t get round to posting the content in the reviews. (Ok, so I couldn’t be bothered to look how to do it – but hey, I was on holiday!) So for what it’s worth, this is what I wrote last year.
“Like so many of your reviewers I’m sure, I agonised over the decision before taking the plunge with you. I’d been on Red boards before, liked them but balked at paying four figures for what I wanted.
I wanted to tell you I’ve just had a great day out on a board in the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro [come in, I wrote this last October – it was warm then!]. The weather was great (26C), water clear and sky blue. Nigh on perfect. I was on a Starboard 12’ or something like that. So why am I writing to you?
Well at home in cold and autumnal Suffolk I’ve got my new(ish) 12’8” Go Explore and I wish it was here.
When I got my Go Explore I had it out in our estuary quicker than I could fall off it. Which was quickly – I’m a 56 year old newbie after all. It went where I wanted it to, tracked well and wasn’t knocked off course by crosswinds. My daughter said “this is easy” then fell off – that’ll teach her – but she really liked the simplicity and the ‘point and go’ ease of manoeuvring.
So back to Montenegro and the first chance for a comparison paddle since taking delivery from you. Well. Ok, so the Starboard was a hire board, but it was well cared-for and well-inflated for my weight of 95kg. And I had a carbon paddle (remarkably similar to mine at home, except I’d gone for the bamboo facing).
As for handling, well it wandered around like a Spaniel following a scent, despite a similar three fin set up. My stroke is not the culprit; the instructor told me it was very good. But the board was distracted by gusts and cross chop; it felt less refined. What?! I can’t quite put my finger on it; I think it’s a similar thickness to my Go Explore but the rails seem to bow out and as a result it just felt a bit lardy. Not a technical term, I know, but how else do you describe paddleboard bloat?
So the Go Explore is much stiffer, much lighter and much better-behaved while still managing to be a long way more than £300 better value than either the Red or Starboard equivalents. “
So here I am 5 months down the line. A UK winter and a few excursions on the board older. Still love the board, still love the concept of buying direct and still giving out the website to anyone interested.
If you’re thinking of buying a SUP, but aren’t quite ready to commit to McConks, just do it. You won’t regret it.
More power to your elbow Andy!
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Excellent bit of kit.
Took my new Go Explore out earlier in a good 15-20 knot breeze with 0.5m chop with the seat on the front for the kids.
The seat worked really well with a 6 and 3 year old taking turns. The front of the board was awash most of the time but the seat held the kids in place and I didn’t have to worry that they’d move and tip both of us off!
They both loved it and a special seat for them has gone down really well.
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I purchased the 10ft 8 go anywhere board after looking around different companies and trying out both Red and Jobe boards. I found the customer service excellent and delivery was quick. I have used it twice in Cornwall now in both good and awful weather, and found it to be an excellent board. I upgraded to the high power pump and the board takes about 10-15 minutes to inflate and probably 10 minutes to deflate. Next week I will try it out in Weymouth on a 121 lesson with Elaine Farquharson (Sup coach) but I am sure it will be great. Great board
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Excellent SUP for a hesitant beginner. I am +6′, 100kg and yet the board is very stable. When you inflate it, it is surprisingly solid yet weighs very little. Plenty of capacity for lots of stuff, shoes, kids, wives etc and the odd thing is the stability remains the same. It is a fairly broad board so manoeuvring is maybe a tad slow, but probably perfect for the beginner. McConks give nothing but excellent service. I had a problem with the board and it was sorted by McConks within a day – I really could not fault their customer service, they really want you to get the best out of the product and will go the extra mile to help. Can only praise McConks SUP products and their general service.
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One of the best boards I’ve used. There’s a nice teardrop shape and great features. It’s clearly been well thought out in the design stages. The bag provided is one of the best I’ve seen – plenty of storge space and ventilation – which I think is often overlooked with sup packages.
The boats inflates nicely, tracks well on the water and having the choice of different sized fins (optional extras) really opens up different areas of exploration. As all
3 fins are removable it makes transporting several boards on a roof rack etc really easy as they all stack together.
Highly (and regularly) recommended as an all rounder board… -
My family enjoy holidaying on and near the water. Late last year we tried out paddle boarding and were hooked. I spent quite some time investigating options to buy and I found the whole world of inflatable SUP to be quite confusing with everyone claiming they had the perfect product at the cheapest price.
Over time I started to work out what the key features were that really mattered and narrowed down to a few brands. I then made enquiries with McConks with some questions, possibly silly ones, and was so pleased to receive patient and detailed responses to my queries, without any kind of pushiness.
Following these discussions, I bought one of their boards. I am yet to use it (not brave enough in the current weather) but the quality of the equipment is great. McConks pride themselves on working very carefully on the details of the design and it does show. The board itself is great but the accessories are as well – really well thought out (particularly the bag) and high quality.
A post-sale enquiry was handled just as efficiently as all my pre-sale questions – that is the sort of thing that separates the men from the boys when it comes to true customer care.
I thoroughly recommend McConks. If anyone else is at that same point of indecision that I was at, I would strongly suggest getting in touch with them for some pressure-free advice.
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Overall package top notch. This is my 2nd purchase ( already own a 10’8 ) and i can confirm carry case is robust and had stood up brilliantly to four years of lakes, beaches and being thrown in the back of the car! Paddle board takes about 30mins to inflate – invest in a rechargable inflator/deflator and have a cup of tea whilst you wait. Once inflated i have never had an issue, these boards are super stable and surprisingly sturdy, i was initially suspicious of an inflatable vs a solid board – but have no fear these SUPs are the best. Deflating <10mins, hose down and bag her up and youre ready for your next paddle. Pack comes with puncture repair kit. I would advise getting a good inflator and some spare fin screws – i lost two in rivers thanks to weeds – and you dont want to try paddling without a fin!
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The short version of this review is that I have consistently been really happy both with board and the service McConks have provided, including their ethical and value based approach and their transparency around this.
The longer version – the pump, board, paddle and bag are are all great (many of my friends with cheaper boards had bags that have just disintegrated or whose wheels just can’t go over rocky terrain making the boards much less usable). I also brought a heavy duty dry bag which has enjoyed adventures round the world but still looks like new (despite my abuse….)
But more than the product quality, I have always had fantastic service from McConks that reflects their considered and humanity orientated approach (with a dash of humour). To give a couple of examples about the service –
Initially there was a delay with the board arriving (not McConks’ fault but a challenge of deliveries during the heights of COVID) – the communication around this was fast, considerate and honest and they kindly upgraded my paddle as an apology for the delay (new paddle was so pretty I was tempted to hang it on the wall rather than take it out!). A second example is that when I lost a fin (my fault not a design flaw), they were super quick in replying and giving advice about which fin was needed as a replacement and kindly gave me free postage as a spontaneous bonus treat despite me asking to pay for it.Prior to purchasing I looked into the company and their environmental approach and was really pleased that this is something they articulate thinking about at a micro and macro level. They want you to have a board that lasts – so they design ones that do.
In essence, this is a company I would support and indorse not just for the quality of the product but also, and if not more so, because of their ethics and approach – paddleboarding and the freedoms it gives are even more enjoyable when you are paddling on something that represents values you believe in – Thank you again.
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I cannot recommend this board (or Company to be fair) enough. This is my second Mcconks board (first was the Mk1 version which I upgraded) and honestly, it is just perfect! The fin systems are super simple to use (and tweak) and the board itself is super strong and sturdy, and yet super lightweight. The bag is quite spacious (for a board that packs down surprisingly small), but super high quality and I can’t complain at all, as it means I can actually use this bag to take my board (and all other items needed) on holiday and only have to pack/check in one bag!
The attention to detail is something to note too… camera mount screw on the front (as let’s face it, you need to get the “looking up selfie” for Insta on those blue sky days don’t you), multiple useful gear loops and handles, useful bungie cord on the front and the little “step” on the back makes pivot turns…. Well easier!! Also comes with repair patch and valve removal tool and a quick release safety belt with cord (an absolute must on moving water). I guess I’m saying you can just really tell that corners haven’t been cut to save a quid or two, and a lot of thought and experience has gone into this.
Customer service wise, not sure you will find a company that genuinely cares more. I have spoken to the team a few times now over the years and they are super knowledgable and simply just want you to be happy using their products (surpassed my expectations on two occasions now).
I honestly couldn’t be happier with my board (or mcconks carbon paddle) and I will no doubt have another at some point as the kids grow up/ can convince the wife it’s not as hard/scary as she thinks ha! Thank you Mcconks for doing what you do!
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After years of wanting a paddleboard I finally took the leap and chose McConks after reading some positive reviews and really wanting to spend my money supporting a small family-run UK-based business. I absolutely love my 10 6 Go Anywhere board. It’s hard-wearing, suitable on flat water and chopper stuff, easy to set up and loads of fun to use! The customer service is brilliant too – the user guide with appropriate safety advice is ace. I can highly recommend!
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First timer at paddle boar2 years ago – decided to purchase my own , after excellent word and mouth recommendation- bought from Mcconks. Great customer service and I’m really pleased with all the items received- 10:6 SUP paddle anywhere board- with strap ,carbon paddle, three fins, bag and both electric and manual pumps . The sturdy board is fantastic quality with a later free addition of an waist belt . The bag can be carried as a back pack or wheeled and it’s is huge ,however light and well ventilated – plenty of room for storing all your equipment. I use both pumps depending on where I’m launching the board.I’m am really pleased with the board and the regular updates/ information sent from Mcconks.Have and will continue to recommend Mcconks SUP boards .
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I did a tonne of research online before buying this SUP. I wanted a good quality board and being a heavier person needed one that would be rigid enough for me. The McConks Go Anywhere 10’6” seemed perfect and after using on inland flat water, rivers and the sea it has proved to be absolutely excellent. The build quality is outstanding and despite heavy use over the last 2 years it’s still as good as new.
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I have had my go anywhere 10’6 inflatable SUP for 2 years now and it has proved itself exceptionally well in the waters of the Outer Hebrides where it has been bounced off rocks multiple times. There are minimal signs of it’s use despite it being bashed and dragged across the beach and loch shores by my kids. It feels incredibly stable in the water, so much so my very nervous 14 year daughter will happily spend hours on it. The accessories that come with the board are of a very good quality and the customer service has been great at McConks. I chose this SUP based on reviews I found online. I’m always nervous going by online reviews but on this occasion I was very glad I did. I would absolutely recommend McConks SUPs as they are fantastic pieces of equipment at a great price.
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This is the second board we have bought – that’s how happy we are with the product! The bundles are excellent value and the quality of the parts and build top notch. We have used the bags for local adventures and also taken then to Greece in airlines for summer holidays – all held up well to wear and tear. The board tracks well and is versatile on flat water and a bit of small surf. The big winner has been the customer service – getting small spare parts was easy – and when we had one warrantee claim Andy and the team stood behind their product 100% – fast and full resolution. That for me says everything and justifies the purchase choice.
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After reading about the McConks brand and boards online I bought my first board from them 4 years ago. It was such a great board that when I was ready to buy a second I came straight back to them. Customer service is faultless and Andy was great with any advice I needed. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy again, I recently purchased waist belts from McConks (my boards didn’t come with them a few years back and there were many cheaper alternatives online) but as I really trust the brand and support so it was obvious to come back.
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One of the best boards on the market. I was lucky enough to borrow a quiver of Go Anywhere boards to give taster sessions to nurses from my local hospital. I was very impressed with both the 10’6 and 10’8 versions of this board. They are quick to inflate. Using the double action pump, I had 4 boards pumped to 18psi+ in less than 20 minutes. You could put more in it, but it really doesn’t need it, as I’m 18 stone (113kg) and 6’2 (188cm) and 18psi was more than enough to keep the board stiff and straight with me stood on it. The pads and rails are really well stuck down and don’t start coming loose as you get with some of the lesser quality boards, the deck pad is also super comfortable even on longer trips. Fin positioning is good with a US fin box allowing you to not only move the fin around depending on conditions, but change fins for different terrains. For personal use, I went for the carbon paddle which is super light and super stiff and highly recommend it.
The boards are absolutely awesome, they are an ethical and sustainable brand, but what I like most about the McConks brand is the customer service. They are very passionate about everything they do and this comes across in their products but also, if you are really unlucky and have a problem, they will bend over backwards to help you sort it.
You’d be hard pressed to find a better inflatable sup or company to buy it from
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Go Anywhere really covers it.
This board has toured lakes, run rivers, surfed (albeit less successfully for me than my son but that’s not the boards fault).
Over the summer heat wave the whole family just used it as a lake soda to cool us down of an evening.
It’s bomb proof, hard wareing. It’s also the best board and the best value you can get in the SUP world. -
We bought this on a recommend and have been very impressed. It has been inflated and deflated all summer for 3 years and shows no signs of wear. Big enough the take the kids with me but small enough to surf on when I’m by myself. Highly recommended for all round SUP fun
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Fantastic paddle board for river, loch and sea paddling. Really good advice and customer support afterwards. Will definitely get me next board from McConks, thinking a GoExplore 12’8 or 14.
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I purchased this board after trying both a Red and a Jobe. A couple of people then suggested McConks and after reading the reviews I decided to go for the 10ft 6 as my first board. So far I have used it on the sea in Cornwall and Weymouth, at times in some pretty strong winds and chop and it has been great, feels a bit tippy sometimes, however that is probably more down to my inexperience rather than the board as out of the wind in mild chop I have no problem at all staying upright. Build quality is excellent and it inflated to 18psi in 10-15 minutes with the upgrade pump. I have a 7 inch fin so maybe with a 9 inch it will be better in the sea ?. My wife also uses it, but prefers calmer sea and minimal wind. It appears to track really well in all conditions I have used it in and when kneeling I can really get some speed up. The bag it comes with is excellent quality and everything fits in, even the 2 piece paddle. Unpacking it to inflate is easier than packing it up after. It is a shame that you have to keep your thumb on the valve to deflate it (unless I am doing something wrong). I am now thinking of upgrading to the 12ft 6 for a quicker ride and maybe the kayak seat. Great board though
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Very versatile board – light and easy to manoeuvre – very high quality materials.
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Great board, practically indestructible and incredibly stable for new paddlers.
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After many hours of searching and hiring various makes of boards we settled on two 10’6 McConks GoAnywhere boards. We even hired a McConks to test before we purchased. Firstly Andy and the service are second to none and the board, paddle and all the bits are outstanding. In the weeks since we took delivery we’ve been on the sea at Abersoch, flat and rough water, Bala lake and soon off to Barmouth. The whole expereince from the bags, pumping (keeping me fit) and riding the boards has been excellent. The kids are growing in confidence and teaching their old man techniques and style. Brilliant product and a company that deserves to do well. Only problem is my 4 year old wants his own board now!
Amazing board and very high quality. So happy
Really enjoying the board. I’ve had it out a few times now on lakes, river and sea and it has performed well on all of them. Really stable board, even managed to get paddling with our dog aboard too!
Being a shorter, larger lady I wanted a touring board that I knew I could get back onto and wouldn’t be too hard to control and this board ticked all the boxes. I’ve been out on it a few times now and I love it! Great extra touches too, the additional handles make it easier to move the board on land and lots of bungees make carrying lots on water a doddle. I am a very happy paddler!!
After trying a few McConks boards, I chose this board as I just seemed to connect with it, and it just felt right. Maybe it’s because I’m a lighter paddler, but I found the narrower board great for getting a good paddle stroke in.
I’ve upgraded from the old MCconks 12.5 to the New 14 foot go explore .And when I first got on it was quicker more speed .When I stood up it was very stable and it really goes quick once you start paddleing .I like the new blue colour scheme also .
After using the old version of the 14ft tourer for the last three years, this is a much improved version all around. It feels different thanks to its slight V shaped bow which I personally think, through weight shift, also helps edge the board when turning. It also cleanly cuts through the water although not had it long enough to test the difference in improved efficiency against the old version. Both gear bungees front and back are improved and have quick release clasps helping ties down bags and kit on the deck. all in all, a very stable and efficient tourer that stands up to all conditions from smooth canals, faster rivers and exposed coastal journeys
The perfect board for a larger paddler! In search of adventure and more stability I stumbled across mconks 10.8isup all rounder and instantly fell in love. As a disabled paddler standing has always been a challenge. The stability of this board filled me with confidence and has me on my feet at every opportunity. Its maneuvers well in the water. Its easy to carry as its not to bulky. The unique shape means I can forward roll up and down the board and step back turn as it’s intended of course. Having 3 removable fins was a big selling point for me! I often paddle in ‘interesting’ places so being able to remove or switch out fins is essential. My only niggle is the screw mechanism on the inflation pin but that’s due to my dexterity…ill adapt!
This board just glides it is a pleasure to paddle also a prefect board to instruct from.
The Go Mega board is an amazing craft the build quality is top level.
I have been waiting for this board for a while now and it is SOOOOOO worth the wait. It just tacks so well and glides through the water even with a nice chop on the water. There is loads of room too we had a seat (McConks again and that’s so good too), a bin, a dog, 7 year old and myself and the board didn’t flex at all and was stable even with us all moving around. There are some really nice touches to this board as well, such as removable handle covers so they can be cleaned. The front has shaping like the bottom of a boat which really helps cut through waves. My favourite touch is the colour scheme, it’s just so tidy and unmistakably a McConks board which makes it a little bit special. It’s just perfect for us and look forward to using it again and again.
Absolutely love it!! Moved my paddling experience to max!
Very stable, aesthetically pleasing, easy to use
I’ve had a surfboard for years, and as a family we used to go surfing with the kids during the summer months. As the kids grew up and left home the poor surfboard sat there in the garage unused, and quite possibly feeling unloved. Years passed and it never got used. Skip to this summer (2022) and a chance visit to South Devon. We went to the beach and there in front of my eyes, were paddle boarders. All shapes and sizes but they had these boards that, unlike my hard surfboard, could be inflated and deflated at will and easily transported in a bag. Not only did it look easy to transport, but it also looked easy to do. It was then I had an epiphany, I want a paddleboard. It would certainly be easy to transport, and I could do it at the seaside, in local rivers and on local lakes. I was sold!! I went home and immediately sold my surfboard and went in search for a board.
after a lot of searching, researching and head scratching, I found a board I liked and went and did a lesson/tour in Bath with a company that used them. Loved it!! This was the board I wanted however, the chap taking the lesson said get yourself a good fitting Buoyancy aid so I did, and after chatting to a chap at the shop, excitement got the better of me and I bought a board that wasn’t the one I had intended on buying. Whilst it felt ok, and looked pretty good, there was something about it that just wasn’t right for me.
I started to wonder about it and started looking around again. As a member of a lake that has McConks boards as rentals, I had seen them but had never thought about them as an option.
One day my son hired one and we went out together. It seemed a pretty sturdy board and had everything on it that the first board I’d seen had, wide, thick and plenty of storage space PLUS a GoPro mount!!!
I started to research them and found them to be a local company with good environmental ethics and a great board package.
After speaking to them for a bit, I couldn’t make up my mind on the 11’4 or the bigger 12’8. After speaking to Mr McConk himself, we decided as I was going on holiday very soon, to try the 12’8 and if I wasn’t happy I could swap it for the 11’4. Deal done.
I ordered the board, it arrived very quickly and, surprisingly to me, it came with a paddle in a separate bag!!! Not what I’d expected at all. Unpacking it, everything was really good quality with attention to detail. Everything about it felt quality.
I took it on holiday to Salcombe, with my sons, and we paddled up and down the estuary and I felt it easy to paddle and really stable and safe on it.
Whilst this board was a little pricier than my original one, it is far superior to the 11’4 I bought and I feel you get what you pay for and I happy with it.
I would also say, the other thing with McConks is the support I’ve had from them and the community they have. I feel like I have bought a fantastic product and have become part of a family. The information and articles shared within the community make it feel special and that I’m definitely part of a family.
I love my McConks 12’8 Go Explore, wish I’d bought it first as it is my forever board.
If you’re looking for a great board, great service and be part of something bigger buy a McConks. You won’t regret it.
My only regret is I didn’t find them sooner.
a very well made paddle board. I should of brought a McConks board first instead of buying a poor quality one.
This is a tough board that just glides through the water, and like it says go anywhere; sea, river, canals
Lovely board
Absolutely love my new board. ❤️
Love the board! Great design and a stable comfortable board thats still manoeuvrable and fun to play on ?
Very please with our paddle board, feels well made and handles well. Weve been using ours for 2 summers with no problems. Had a few questions before purchase that were answered in quickly and were very helpful.
Very happy with this board, purchased after having lessons on the go anywhere, tried a few other makes but didn’t like them as much. Went for this as I find its great for a couple of hours on the sea or a full day out on the river. Nice and stable, moves well through the water and able to carry enough kit for a day out and more. Add to this the great customer service and I couldn’t be happier with my decision.
Amazing boards. Had ours for a few years now and use them loads. Great for river day trips which what we do most but definitely capable of more. Also great for messing around with small people on holiday and doing shorter picnic adventurers. Andy was so helpful when we bought – lots of advice, no pressure to decide. He’s also super helpful when consumables need replacing or if you lose a fin! All round great product from great company.
A perfect board for touring or fir just short trips. Extremely stable and quick through the water. Very well made and comes with a selection of leashes for your safety on various waters.
I even use this board to teach persons for Improver Sessions.
We decided to buy a SUP back in the early summer of 2020 when everything was a little bit crazy. A friend had recommended McConks kit to us so we started chatting with Andy by email to identify which would be the best board for us. The 12’8” seemed the best fit for us and McConks kept us informed through all the delivery uncertainties at that time and managed to deliver the board just in time for our eagerly awaited holiday.
Two and a half years later, and I can confirm that the board is everything we hoped for and more. We’ve used on our local river, on some big lakes and on the Welsh and Scottish coast. It’s very versatile, covering distance easily on flat water, feeling reassuringly stable in big seas and it handles well for some fun in the surf. We haven’t tried touring yet, but there would be plenty of space for camping kit.
The build quality seems excellent, both of the board and the rest of the package. We went for the carbon paddle upgrade and it is certainly a pleasure to use through a long day. The triple action pump upgrade is worth it too; this is a big board with a lot of volume to fill. Even the dry bag seems to be higher quality than many similar products out there. We’ve lost a small fin and bolt or two due to careless kids’ use, but McConks replaced them very quickly for us.
Looking forward to many more adventures!
I have had my Mc Conks “GO Explore” 12’8 for 2 years now and from the very first time i stepped on it i understood the benefits of a quality Board vs lower quality ,not necessarily cheaper boards.
For the first time hitting waves on the sea was not a problem this board is so super stable and gives you great confidence.
I bored my mates so much that after having a go on mine they both bought their own and they rave about them too.
The build quality is clearly top notch with lots of little details that show Mc Conks know what a great SUP should have ,like plenty of storage ,great carry straps, camera mounts and nice grippy platform.
Almost forgot to say that the storage bag is the best that i have seen ,easy access ,strong with shoulder straps and wheels.
Buy with complete confidence.
V stable board delighted with purchase
This has to be the go to board for use on rivers , lakes and sea. Copes well in anything from surf to a day’s touring on the river.
The bag makes transporting the board easy and there is a practical pocket on the front is a great addition.
Pre sales advice was excellent without feeling pressured to buy. Fast and efficient delivery.
When I lost a fin, thorough my own mistake it was replaced promptly and with no quibble.
Would buy again!
I bought the 12’8 as my first paddle board in September 2020 after a lot of research and dreaming. I wanted a board that was ethical in production, performed well and was value for money. I spoke to Andy directly, took his advice and visited the demo centre in the Cotswolds. It ticked all the boxes. I ordered it on a pre order and couldn’t wait to get out on it.
I’ve not looked back. It is stable, glides smoothly over the water. It is perfect for long paddle adventures. In fact I love it so much I’ve recommended it to friends and friends of friends who’ve also bought from McConks.
We are now a 3 board family (all 12’8s).and have now had 2 full years of year round paddles.
The customer service has been excellent and any issues have been handled efficiently. I would highly recommend any of the McConks products – and the board selector feature on the website is a great way of finding out which board is right for you – so helpful if you’re starting out as a complete newbie to all things SUP.
I got the 12.8 last year and Waited to get a full season befor reviewing
Firstly the board. Love it! Top quality in the build.
Used it numerous times on the sea, lakes and rivers and never let me down. On a sea trip I even had a foldable BBQ, charcoal and food all secured in a dry bag, fun paddle then a beach BBQ. Great that storage straps front and back.
Nice and stable except for when the kids play “let’s knock Dad off his board”
Storage bag has ample space so never an issue to pack away. Also impressed that comes with a quick release belt so right from the start they are already taking your safety seriously.
McConks – Excellent service. I got mine when the all the decent manufacturers were having supplies issues due to COVID. They kept me in the loop and always came back to me within a reasonable time. Yes I had to wait but if you wanted quality that was the market at the time.
Also did something for me which totally shows the customer service. In a rookie error I forgot to fasten the valve cover and lost it on a paddle. I asked Andy via email how can I go about getting a new one. Could have got one from Amazon but wanted a genuine one so the colours march. Expecting them to come back with a price, he found a used one and sent it in the post. They took the time to look and and send one out free. Still on my board and jus that little things showed the right customer service ethos.
I went on to buy a dry bag and carbon paddle.
In summary, great board with service to match. I also own another McConks board and would thoroughly recommend the 12″8, the 11″6 and McConks
I’ve had a surfboard for years, and as a family we used to go surfing with the kids during the summer months. As the kids grew up and left home the poor surfboard sat there in the garage unused, and quite possibly feeling unloved. Years passed and it never got used. Skip to this summer (2022) and a chance visit to South Devon. We went to the beach and there in front of my eyes, were paddle boarders. All shapes and sizes but they had these boards that, unlike my hard surfboard, could be inflated and deflated at will and easily transported in a bag. Not only did it look easy to transport, but it also looked easy to do. It was then I had an epiphany, I want a paddleboard. It would certainly be easy to transport, and I could do it at the seaside, in local rivers and on local lakes. I was sold!! I went home and immediately sold my surfboard and went in search for a board.
after a lot of searching, researching and head scratching, I found a board I liked and went and did a lesson/tour in Bath with a company that used them. Loved it!! This was the board I wanted however, the chap taking the lesson said get yourself a good fitting Buoyancy aid so I did, and after chatting to a chap at the shop, excitement got the better of me and I bought a board that wasn’t the one I had intended on buying. Whilst it felt ok, and looked pretty good, there was something about it that just wasn’t right for me.
I started to wonder about it and started looking around again. As a member of a lake that has McConks boards as rentals, I had seen them but had never thought about them as an option.
One day my son hired one and we went out together. It seemed a pretty sturdy board and had everything on it that the first board I’d seen had, wide, thick and plenty of storage space PLUS a GoPro mount!!!
I started to research them and found them to be a local company with good environmental ethics and a great board package.
After speaking to them for a bit, I couldn’t make up my mind on the 11’4 or the bigger 12’8. After speaking to Mr McConk himself, we decided as I was going on holiday very soon, to try the 12’8 and if I wasn’t happy I could swap it for the 11’4. Deal done.
I ordered the board, it arrived very quickly and, surprisingly to me, it came with a paddle in a separate bag!!! Not what I’d expected at all. Unpacking it, everything was really good quality with attention to detail. Everything about it felt quality.
I took it on holiday to Salcombe, with my sons, and we paddled up and down the estuary and I felt it easy to paddle and really stable and safe on it.
Whilst this board was a little pricier than my original one, it is far superior to the 11’4 I bought and I feel you get what you pay for and I happy with it.
I would also say, the other thing with McConks is the support I’ve had from them and the community they have. I feel like I have bought a fantastic product and have become part of a family. The information and articles shared within the community make it feel special and that I’m definitely part of a family.
I love my McConks 12’8 Go Explore, wish I’d bought it first as it is my forever board.
If you’re looking for a great board, great service and be part of something bigger buy a McConks. You won’t regret it.
My only regret is I didn’t find them sooner.
Having now had this board for over a year, I can safely say it is an absolutely amazing board. I have used it on numerous 5-6 mile coastal trips in a variety of conditions, including a skill session in 6ft swell and 20 mph winds, and it has been brilliant. I stopped using the 2 side fins about 8 months ago and it doesn’t feel any less stable. I have also upgraded to a full carbon paddle as well. The board tracks well and is pretty quick for a wide board. Highly recommended
We’ve owned our go explore board for a few years now. Our boys were 5 and 8 at the time and they both took to paddle boarding like a duck to water. The board, the support from McConks and the experience have all been superb. I rarely recommend to other people, but McConks is the exception. We all love paddling our paddleboard, on the sea, lake or a river. Sometimes we go two up without issue, even with my slightly excessive weight. Highly recommended.
Bought a pair for myself and my son last year for paddling on rivers. Very stable but still with a good turn of speed. Son’s even done an amount of what water on his, Yat on the Wye and Derwent down into Matlock. And it came with a leash and belt so super easy to paddle safely without the leash getting in the way. And te solid carry case has kept them in excellent condition.
This is a cracking touring board. I’ve used it on the coast is reasonable swell 1m + and wind and its good, stable, tracks well, lots of space for gear and doesn’t weigh too much.
Decided to buy this board after using it in my beginners’ lessons. I’m fairly tall so wanted to have a longer board. It handles well (it was pretty windy last time I went paddling!) and the accessories are all of good quality.
I have had this board for 2 years and I am very, very pleased with it. In terms of features and build quality I think it is equivalent to (or better than), other boards costing significantly more, a fact which has made SUP’ing friends with more expensive boards quite jealous! I have done several long coastal paddles around Pembrokeshire and the Gower, the board is very stable, well balanced and tracks well, all contributing to greater range. The removable side bite fins add flexibility to the set up allowing adjustment to the conditions. I have also done numerous river and lake trips, here the board glides with minimum effort, a 23km paddle down the Charente earlier this year was a pleasure! Having a board with this many handles is a real advantage when it comes to getting it in and out of the water. The transport bag is excellent, plenty big enough for the essentials and more without a squeeze (I got 2 x wet suits, a spare paddle, and buoyancy aid in there as well during the trip to France). I think this board represents excellent value for money, pair it with the right paddle and you’ll go a long way!
Have used this board many time over the last year since I bought it. Very stable, glides well and good quality materials. Have used it both on canals and the sea in France. Buying direct, also means great service.
I bought this last year it is amazing board I’m a heavy guy and carry a lot of kit on the front deck as I am training to be a paddle sports leader. It tracks beautifully and I find it very stable with so much deck space available even when loaded up there is plenty of room to move to trim the board for the conditions. I paddle in mixed group in terms of craft so if it goes on the water and is paddle it’s in the group. Nothing quite like two people and a 17-foot canoe on your paddle board so you can drain the water out and get the paddler back in their craft dry and safe.
on the see, rivers or the lake district it has performed over and over again stability, control, tracking and speed are all exceptional without having multiple boards for different days.
Love this board! I bought a 12′ 8″ for my wife a few years back and she loves it. We were swapping back and forth on it and it was so smooth through the water that I decided to get a second one for myself. I had used other brands previously (my friends) but honestly the shape and length of this suited me perfectly. I use it on lakes, rivers and the sea and it is equally brilliant in each case. I even use it for surfing in white water and it is so much fun. Build quality is excellent and proven by a close encounter with a bus one day when I was carrying it to the beach and a bus clipped it, sending it flying down the road. Nothing but a scuff from where it hit the tarmac on landing, and that cleaned up! Next step I am considering a inflatable sail to see how it handles windsurfing – All in all a brilliant board. I have been a fan of McConks since they started up and even as a small family business, they stand up against the multinational brands. I research the bizingo out of anything I spend hard earned money on and they are of the best quality. Yes there are cheaper boards out there and more expensive to, the cheaper are generally poor quality, will be line a banana on the water and literally blow up if over inflated. McConks are rated to 27PSI which is MASSIVE! in SUP terms. Rock solid on the water, top construction internally which is what all the top boards use. The cheap boards are basically an expensive lilo, you see them at the beach and they are rubbish. MCConks will last a lifetime and maintain their value. Don’t hesitate!
The board is fantastic, quick, stable, smooth through the water and more than capable of handling a bigger paddler like me along with capacity for camping kit.
Ideal touring board; stable but with good glide. Plenty of handles for carrying/ manoeuvring. Comes witha top quality bag. I have x2 of these boards; bought one for my son after he lusted after my board, also bought a whitewater sup. I have x2 of these boards; bought one for my son after he lusted after my board, also bought a whitewater sup.
Same quality as the more expensive brands and much better than boards of a similar price.
McConks give great service as well; swift delivery, easy contact, prompt replies and very helpful. Genuinely a family operation.
McConks;My “go to” choice.
My first board was a McConks 10’6” Go Anywhere – really nice board, but after a while I decided that something bigger and more focused towards touring would suit my paddling better. Having been very happy with the Go Anywhere (and the support from McConks when I bought it) I sold it to a friend and bought the Go Explore.
Really enjoying it. It’s a well-built robust board, with the build quality I would expect from a premium manufacturer like McConks. The design is well thought out, with well placed handles and plenty of storage space front and rear. It glides and tracks well, so is great on longer trips. It is very stable even when there’s a bit of chop on the water. The accessories that come with it (leash, bag etc) are also great quality and well designed.
The only downside is that being a bigger board than my last one, it takes a bit longer to pump up! I’m very happy with this board and would recommend it 100%.
Signed up to SUP lessons last year, and got to try lots of different boards, and by far this was my favourite.
Bought my own when the lessons ended and been out constantly with it in the open water, and would recommend it to anyone.
Excellent quality and a pleasure to use. Been using it regularly all year round and still in very good condition and no issues.
Delivered yesterday and I was on the water within an hour. Love my new Go Explore 12 8. It glides and tracks beautifully. Going to get a load of use for sure. Thanks
On my 3rd board this 12.8 is by far the best board so happy with it and I’ve tried other boards took my time which I preferred this won hands down build quality is perfect too and speedy and glides tracks all I wanted love it ?????
Solid and stable. So much better than an entry level 10″6. I love this board and feel like I can travel smoother, further and faster. So much more stable; I now (mostly) only fall off when I want to! I can be a lot braver when having a go at stepback turns now!
Just love it! Nice stable board and a bag that you can wheel about and big enough for additional kit into
I used this board for the first time yesterday on a 5.72 mile round trip from Lulworth cove to Durdle Door, Bath hole and back and found it to be an absolutely awesome ride. Very stable and tracking was excellent. It also handled to slight swell with comparative ease. It was a real pleasure to paddle and I cannot wait to get back on it
Absolutely love this board! So stable and such a pleasure to paddle!
Exactly as described! This is a robust well designed board for the serious tourer. we were looking for multi day touring boards and came to Mcconks for them after being recommended by a friend. We have used these boards extensively in the past two years, day touring and multiple day unsupported coastal touring in Scotland and the Mediterranean . They have been repeatedly inflated , deflated stuffed in bags chucked in vehicles , loaded with drybags, ( and our dog) survived impromptu landing on rocky shorelines, roasted in 35 degree heat and used for protection from biting sub zero Scottish snow!storms!
Quality kit ! we wanted boards we could have confidence in for our adventures , these SUPi’s have given us that in bucket loads.
Thanks
I have now had by Go Explore 14′ board for over 18months and have been truly delighted with it. I use it extensively on the Kennet & Avon Canal, River Avon around Bath, Cotswold Water Park and in Poole Harbour on the south coast. In all these locations it has proven a delight to paddle and navigate. I have invested in two dry bags for fore and aft storage for day and overnight expeditions and have both hand and electric car pumps for bankside inflation.
I have been on a few overnight SUP adventures but the iSUP or Hardboard I already own didn’t fully deliver. After looking online for a number of months, reading various reviews I decided to ask on a McConk forum & the honesty of the community on there helped sway me. The 14’ tourer was the one I chose. I’ve used it for a few long days both with a lot of kit & also with nothing. It feels super stable & very strong. I can’t wait to use it for multi-day events as soon as possible! Great bit of kit & would recommend it & the McConk brand all day long! ??
What a board! Stick a single touring fin in and go for a social paddle, it tracks surprisingly well for an 11ft board. Being very stable it’s a great board for lure fishing off. Just seems perfectly balanced for being silly on and making full use of the deck pad and kicker, and it’s much more predictable than some other boards around this length i have been on. Not got to use it as much as I would like as the kids have also declared it their favourite. They like all the handles, and enjoy having infinite fin configurations to chose from. I have only managed one whitewater session so far, so spent more time getting back on than riding waves, the real benefit of all the handles became apparent! It’s a very well made board, which with its limited printed graphics will age gracefully as it gets bumped and bruised. Customer service Mcconks provide is second to none.
My first McConks board. Really good board, I use it for instructing as well as a bit of touring and river. I like the additional hand holds that other don’t have.
Stable board great to use.
First SUP I’ve actually owned, but this is a really well made, versatile board. The multiple handles are really handy in a number of situations and it’s a pleasure out on the water.
There were shipping delays and some confusion with the order but McConks were super helpful throughout and Andy bent over backwards to make sure I had a board when I needed it.
Excellent piece of kit. Well made and very durable in all waters. Kids love having fun on it along with Cindy the dog who sits very proudly on it Saying, “look at me everyone!”
Highly recommended.
I’ve had my 11.4 for 3 years and it’s been used regularly on local rivers all over Cornwall and France. And I love my board. It’s well built, stable and fairly fast. Looking forward to doing some long distance overnight trips next year for another perspective on SUP exploring. My grandsons also love being on board with granddad.
Love my board! I have lots of fun using it. My partner can sit on the front of the board whilst I paddle at the back 🙂 suitable for total beginners (like me!) Easy to inflate, transport and carry. Would highly recommend!
Have used this board many time over the last year since I bought it. Very stable, glides well and good quality materials. Going for this as the slightly shorted explorer board, also means manoverability is great. Have used it both on canals and the sea in France. Buying direct, also means great service.
I absolutely love this board! I had a 10’8 board before, which was good, but I much prefer this. I’ve been paddling for a little while but not ages, so I wanted something a little faster than the Go Anywhere board but nothing too sleek and tippy – this hits the spot. When I was considering the upgrade, Andy at McConks advised me to try them both and suggested a centre where I could compare them. It was a no brainer and that’s the sort of service that will keep me loyal to these guys – they really care.
Bought my board eighteen months ago after considerable research. McConks were very helpful and responsive to my questions and some delivery issues in the immediate aftermath of Covid. I would certainly buy from them again if I ever need a new board. Having said that I doubt that I will be needing a new board any time soon. The one I have is excellent, sturdy and well made. Despite my being a newbie to the sport and considerably older than most I had no difficulty using it on the flatter water for which it is designed. It is reasonably stable, it is quick and effortless to paddle and it tracks well. Just what I wanted.
Great board for stepping up from a beginner or general purpose board. I wanted the compact size mainly for day touring and because I’m not huge (5’3″) and it doesn’t disappoint as there is plenty of room for kit, front and back yet it’s still easy to manoeuvre with more speed than a general board. I’ve taken it on the sea and rivers with various flow and its managed really well and seems very robust. My adult son has only paddled a handful of times but now prefers this board, despite it being more ‘tippy’ than a general purpose board. Great board and very good value.
Excellent quality board. My friend’s cheaper boards are already falling apart while this is going strong. Well made and excellent communication from the McConks team. A bit thinner which is a good challenge for balance on rougher waters but super fun. Do recommend!
Excellent board and service, it’s so good we bought another one a few months later.
It’s a great size and buoyancy for one person + kit, but could also easily take 2 x people. Build quality so far seems excellent.
The only negative point is the bag broke within a few months of owning it, but the actual board is great.
Fabulous board, great quality, robust and stable but also very manoeuvrable and good fun in choppy waters. I have had it now for nearly 3 years and it is still in perfect conditions.
The accessories it comes with are very good quality, the bag is perfect for traveling, sturdy and the wheels are great.
Andy cares a lot for his customers and will always reply very quickly to any enquiries.
I cannot see myself changing brand any time soon!
These boards are just great. Versatile durable and easy to transport. We have used them to tour around the Scillies and scotland. Good glide, robust and still going strong after 3 years. Not the fastest, but great from Ato B in sea and rivers.
I love this board, it is perfect for anyone who is starting paddle boarding and also for those more advanced. It is wide enough for beginners and I find it very stable.
Also the accessories it comes with are very good quality, the bag is perfect for traveling as it is robust and the wheels are very useful.
It is clear that as a family run UK company they focus on quality and customer satisfaction.
In terms of customer service, Andy cares very much and replies to enquiries straight away. When I bought this board, I had also bought the seat that can be mounted to sit down, however it then turned out that this board doesn’t have the correct d-rings to fit the seat: Andy was very understanding, he sent me a refund for the seat but also spare d-rings and glue so that I could stick them on the board and still use the seat.
Since I bought the board, I have recommended McConks to everybody and I cannot see myself changing brand any time soon.
Love my board, it’s awesome. Clearly been designed and built well by people who love this sport. I paddle all year, generally in the sea but have had great fun in rivers and canals as well. I’m 5”11 and around 90kg and have great balance on it, yet still fun.
Team McConks customer service has been spot on, communication was prompt when needed, and resolved a delivery issue promptly.
Above and beyond is the information / advice videos they put out, loved these in my research stage!
Thank you team M
The board is a great all rounder used in the canals, rivers and Sea in my local area. It seems far more stable at the higher PSI capacity than cheaper boards.
Excellent build quality, very well thought out design, great non-slip deck, stable, manoeuvrable, very good value and tremendous fun.
Being new to SUP there are probably others better qualified than me to do a review. This is only the second board we’ve used, having learned to paddle this week on holiday, and so we don’t have much to compare it with. That said the quality of the board and paddle are plain to see.
We had our maiden voyage today at Chelmarsh Sailing Club in Shropshire and Ellen was off like a rocket – the stability of the ride was very confidence-inspiring. After about 500m of paddling I found the sweet spot and was able to drive the board in a straight line without swapping sides and I even managed to sink a rail consistently.
I really like the kick-pad at the back of the board and I spent a happy half hour practising step back turns (although in reality I was practising self-rescue more often than not). When I got it right it was very rewarding as the board just flew around.
We went for the carbon fibre shaft/nylon blade paddle upgrade which I feel was money well spent as the paddle felt nicely balanced. I would have liked a better blade but it wasn’t an option. It would be useful if there were index marks on both joints to speed up assembling the paddle although adding my own was simple enough.
Everything packs up neatly in the bag which also seems robust and the wheels are really useful.
We paid extra for the better hand pump. It took me about 6 minutes to get up to 19. The pump is all plastic but seemed to the job fine.
Dealing with McConks was very easy, I like the fact that they are direct to customer and speaking to an experienced paddler at the club, both the company and their boards have an excellent reputation.
As you can probably tell by now, I think the board is great. As absolute beginners we both found it really easy to paddle and I feel that there is plenty of room to grow with the board as we improve.
Excellent build quality, very well thought out design, great non-slip deck, stable, manoeuvreable and great fun.
My wife and I learned to paddle on holiday in Cornwall
I bought this board after a lot of research, and absolutely love it. Paddles in a straight line easily, relatively light given the size, and super stable. Everything that comes with it is great quality. Very happy, thanks! 🙂
Having started SUP’ing on a 10’6” board from another company (not blue or green), then trying a longer touring board (from a different galaxy), I decided I wanted the best of both worlds!
Enter McConks! I’d seen them online and talked about them with a friend who’d met Andrew, but there was none to try within and hour and a half of me. A few messages later and I was trying the 11’4” Go Explore.
Now, if I’m brutally honest, I wasn’t sure about this board on my first time out (on glass like water), but I took it out a second time (7-9mph winds) and started to fall in love! Turns out I’d just had a bad day and I was so worried about falling in on the first trip that it turned my legs to jelly! After that and a good talking to by myself, Andrew and another instructor friend, I took it out, threw myself off it, got back on and never looked back!
I love this board! I weigh about 90kg (honest!… ok, sometimes nearer 93… 95 then!) and am 5’11”. I’m as supple as a concrete lintel. I inflate the board to 18psi and away I go. It feels super rigid and I’m told by people paddling next to me that it sits really well in the water. It’s got D rings aplenty and plenty of storage space and the deck pad feels super grippy.
Everything about the board and the rest of the kit feels premium quality (I opted for the carbon/bamboo 3 piece paddle) and I love it!
Price wise, I genuinely believe that McConks are consistently £200 cheaper than other manufacturers at the same or similar standard. Couple that with fantastic communication and customer service and I believe you could do a lot worse with more money!
A GREAT FAMILY RUN, ETHICAL COMPANY WITH GREAT PRODUCTS!!
Incredibly stable and fast. Looking forward to taking it on some big adventures!
Fantastic smooth and quick board. Very well made, lots of attachment points and handles. Good grip on the deck and paddles so well. Very stable considering its width. Often chosen by paddlers over the other boards I have.
McConks 12′ 8″ Go Anywhere Explorer iSUP.
After taking the advice from a few mates and chatting to Andy McConk (Andy was really helpful and enthusiastic about iSUP’s) I decided to go for the McConks 12′ 8″ Go Anywhere Explorer as I live next to a couple of large coastal lagoons and wanted something that would be good for both exploring and fishing.
I’ve been out on it a few times and I’m really happy with the build quality and performance. Before I bought the board I was a bit worried about the build quality but my qualms were totally unfounded as it’s bombproof and rock solid. Performance wise the board glides and tracks in a straight line very well (even in a choppy cross sea) but is still easy to manoeuvre.
10/10 for a top quality board at a sensible price with great customer service.
Got to use my new Go Explore SUP last weekend and I’m completely addicted. Even got up at 6am yesterday to squeeze a cheeky session before work. The Board and package is simply first class as was the advice and service from Andy.
If you are looking for a high quality SUP at a sensible price, I would not hesitate to highly recommend McConks. Thank you
Hi Andy
I first wrote to you last year (2018) but didn’t get round to posting the content in the reviews. (Ok, so I couldn’t be bothered to look how to do it – but hey, I was on holiday!) So for what it’s worth, this is what I wrote last year.
“Like so many of your reviewers I’m sure, I agonised over the decision before taking the plunge with you. I’d been on Red boards before, liked them but balked at paying four figures for what I wanted.
I wanted to tell you I’ve just had a great day out on a board in the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro [come in, I wrote this last October – it was warm then!]. The weather was great (26C), water clear and sky blue. Nigh on perfect. I was on a Starboard 12’ or something like that. So why am I writing to you?
Well at home in cold and autumnal Suffolk I’ve got my new(ish) 12’8” Go Explore and I wish it was here.
When I got my Go Explore I had it out in our estuary quicker than I could fall off it. Which was quickly – I’m a 56 year old newbie after all. It went where I wanted it to, tracked well and wasn’t knocked off course by crosswinds. My daughter said “this is easy” then fell off – that’ll teach her – but she really liked the simplicity and the ‘point and go’ ease of manoeuvring.
So back to Montenegro and the first chance for a comparison paddle since taking delivery from you. Well. Ok, so the Starboard was a hire board, but it was well cared-for and well-inflated for my weight of 95kg. And I had a carbon paddle (remarkably similar to mine at home, except I’d gone for the bamboo facing).
As for handling, well it wandered around like a Spaniel following a scent, despite a similar three fin set up. My stroke is not the culprit; the instructor told me it was very good. But the board was distracted by gusts and cross chop; it felt less refined. What?! I can’t quite put my finger on it; I think it’s a similar thickness to my Go Explore but the rails seem to bow out and as a result it just felt a bit lardy. Not a technical term, I know, but how else do you describe paddleboard bloat?
So the Go Explore is much stiffer, much lighter and much better-behaved while still managing to be a long way more than £300 better value than either the Red or Starboard equivalents. “
So here I am 5 months down the line. A UK winter and a few excursions on the board older. Still love the board, still love the concept of buying direct and still giving out the website to anyone interested.
If you’re thinking of buying a SUP, but aren’t quite ready to commit to McConks, just do it. You won’t regret it.
More power to your elbow Andy!
Excellent bit of kit.
Took my new Go Explore out earlier in a good 15-20 knot breeze with 0.5m chop with the seat on the front for the kids.
The seat worked really well with a 6 and 3 year old taking turns. The front of the board was awash most of the time but the seat held the kids in place and I didn’t have to worry that they’d move and tip both of us off!
They both loved it and a special seat for them has gone down really well.
I purchased the 10ft 8 go anywhere board after looking around different companies and trying out both Red and Jobe boards. I found the customer service excellent and delivery was quick. I have used it twice in Cornwall now in both good and awful weather, and found it to be an excellent board. I upgraded to the high power pump and the board takes about 10-15 minutes to inflate and probably 10 minutes to deflate. Next week I will try it out in Weymouth on a 121 lesson with Elaine Farquharson (Sup coach) but I am sure it will be great. Great board
Excellent SUP for a hesitant beginner. I am +6′, 100kg and yet the board is very stable. When you inflate it, it is surprisingly solid yet weighs very little. Plenty of capacity for lots of stuff, shoes, kids, wives etc and the odd thing is the stability remains the same. It is a fairly broad board so manoeuvring is maybe a tad slow, but probably perfect for the beginner. McConks give nothing but excellent service. I had a problem with the board and it was sorted by McConks within a day – I really could not fault their customer service, they really want you to get the best out of the product and will go the extra mile to help. Can only praise McConks SUP products and their general service.
One of the best boards I’ve used. There’s a nice teardrop shape and great features. It’s clearly been well thought out in the design stages. The bag provided is one of the best I’ve seen – plenty of storge space and ventilation – which I think is often overlooked with sup packages.
The boats inflates nicely, tracks well on the water and having the choice of different sized fins (optional extras) really opens up different areas of exploration. As all
3 fins are removable it makes transporting several boards on a roof rack etc really easy as they all stack together.
Highly (and regularly) recommended as an all rounder board…
My family enjoy holidaying on and near the water. Late last year we tried out paddle boarding and were hooked. I spent quite some time investigating options to buy and I found the whole world of inflatable SUP to be quite confusing with everyone claiming they had the perfect product at the cheapest price.
Over time I started to work out what the key features were that really mattered and narrowed down to a few brands. I then made enquiries with McConks with some questions, possibly silly ones, and was so pleased to receive patient and detailed responses to my queries, without any kind of pushiness.
Following these discussions, I bought one of their boards. I am yet to use it (not brave enough in the current weather) but the quality of the equipment is great. McConks pride themselves on working very carefully on the details of the design and it does show. The board itself is great but the accessories are as well – really well thought out (particularly the bag) and high quality.
A post-sale enquiry was handled just as efficiently as all my pre-sale questions – that is the sort of thing that separates the men from the boys when it comes to true customer care.
I thoroughly recommend McConks. If anyone else is at that same point of indecision that I was at, I would strongly suggest getting in touch with them for some pressure-free advice.
Overall package top notch. This is my 2nd purchase ( already own a 10’8 ) and i can confirm carry case is robust and had stood up brilliantly to four years of lakes, beaches and being thrown in the back of the car! Paddle board takes about 30mins to inflate – invest in a rechargable inflator/deflator and have a cup of tea whilst you wait. Once inflated i have never had an issue, these boards are super stable and surprisingly sturdy, i was initially suspicious of an inflatable vs a solid board – but have no fear these SUPs are the best. Deflating <10mins, hose down and bag her up and youre ready for your next paddle. Pack comes with puncture repair kit. I would advise getting a good inflator and some spare fin screws – i lost two in rivers thanks to weeds – and you dont want to try paddling without a fin!
The short version of this review is that I have consistently been really happy both with board and the service McConks have provided, including their ethical and value based approach and their transparency around this.
The longer version – the pump, board, paddle and bag are are all great (many of my friends with cheaper boards had bags that have just disintegrated or whose wheels just can’t go over rocky terrain making the boards much less usable). I also brought a heavy duty dry bag which has enjoyed adventures round the world but still looks like new (despite my abuse….)
But more than the product quality, I have always had fantastic service from McConks that reflects their considered and humanity orientated approach (with a dash of humour). To give a couple of examples about the service –
Initially there was a delay with the board arriving (not McConks’ fault but a challenge of deliveries during the heights of COVID) – the communication around this was fast, considerate and honest and they kindly upgraded my paddle as an apology for the delay (new paddle was so pretty I was tempted to hang it on the wall rather than take it out!). A second example is that when I lost a fin (my fault not a design flaw), they were super quick in replying and giving advice about which fin was needed as a replacement and kindly gave me free postage as a spontaneous bonus treat despite me asking to pay for it.
Prior to purchasing I looked into the company and their environmental approach and was really pleased that this is something they articulate thinking about at a micro and macro level. They want you to have a board that lasts – so they design ones that do.
In essence, this is a company I would support and indorse not just for the quality of the product but also, and if not more so, because of their ethics and approach – paddleboarding and the freedoms it gives are even more enjoyable when you are paddling on something that represents values you believe in – Thank you again.
I cannot recommend this board (or Company to be fair) enough. This is my second Mcconks board (first was the Mk1 version which I upgraded) and honestly, it is just perfect! The fin systems are super simple to use (and tweak) and the board itself is super strong and sturdy, and yet super lightweight. The bag is quite spacious (for a board that packs down surprisingly small), but super high quality and I can’t complain at all, as it means I can actually use this bag to take my board (and all other items needed) on holiday and only have to pack/check in one bag!
The attention to detail is something to note too… camera mount screw on the front (as let’s face it, you need to get the “looking up selfie” for Insta on those blue sky days don’t you), multiple useful gear loops and handles, useful bungie cord on the front and the little “step” on the back makes pivot turns…. Well easier!! Also comes with repair patch and valve removal tool and a quick release safety belt with cord (an absolute must on moving water). I guess I’m saying you can just really tell that corners haven’t been cut to save a quid or two, and a lot of thought and experience has gone into this.
Customer service wise, not sure you will find a company that genuinely cares more. I have spoken to the team a few times now over the years and they are super knowledgable and simply just want you to be happy using their products (surpassed my expectations on two occasions now).
I honestly couldn’t be happier with my board (or mcconks carbon paddle) and I will no doubt have another at some point as the kids grow up/ can convince the wife it’s not as hard/scary as she thinks ha! Thank you Mcconks for doing what you do!
After years of wanting a paddleboard I finally took the leap and chose McConks after reading some positive reviews and really wanting to spend my money supporting a small family-run UK-based business. I absolutely love my 10 6 Go Anywhere board. It’s hard-wearing, suitable on flat water and chopper stuff, easy to set up and loads of fun to use! The customer service is brilliant too – the user guide with appropriate safety advice is ace. I can highly recommend!
First timer at paddle boar2 years ago – decided to purchase my own , after excellent word and mouth recommendation- bought from Mcconks. Great customer service and I’m really pleased with all the items received- 10:6 SUP paddle anywhere board- with strap ,carbon paddle, three fins, bag and both electric and manual pumps . The sturdy board is fantastic quality with a later free addition of an waist belt . The bag can be carried as a back pack or wheeled and it’s is huge ,however light and well ventilated – plenty of room for storing all your equipment. I use both pumps depending on where I’m launching the board.I’m am really pleased with the board and the regular updates/ information sent from Mcconks.Have and will continue to recommend Mcconks SUP boards .
I did a tonne of research online before buying this SUP. I wanted a good quality board and being a heavier person needed one that would be rigid enough for me. The McConks Go Anywhere 10’6” seemed perfect and after using on inland flat water, rivers and the sea it has proved to be absolutely excellent. The build quality is outstanding and despite heavy use over the last 2 years it’s still as good as new.
I have had my go anywhere 10’6 inflatable SUP for 2 years now and it has proved itself exceptionally well in the waters of the Outer Hebrides where it has been bounced off rocks multiple times. There are minimal signs of it’s use despite it being bashed and dragged across the beach and loch shores by my kids. It feels incredibly stable in the water, so much so my very nervous 14 year daughter will happily spend hours on it. The accessories that come with the board are of a very good quality and the customer service has been great at McConks. I chose this SUP based on reviews I found online. I’m always nervous going by online reviews but on this occasion I was very glad I did. I would absolutely recommend McConks SUPs as they are fantastic pieces of equipment at a great price.
This is the second board we have bought – that’s how happy we are with the product! The bundles are excellent value and the quality of the parts and build top notch. We have used the bags for local adventures and also taken then to Greece in airlines for summer holidays – all held up well to wear and tear. The board tracks well and is versatile on flat water and a bit of small surf. The big winner has been the customer service – getting small spare parts was easy – and when we had one warrantee claim Andy and the team stood behind their product 100% – fast and full resolution. That for me says everything and justifies the purchase choice.
After reading about the McConks brand and boards online I bought my first board from them 4 years ago. It was such a great board that when I was ready to buy a second I came straight back to them. Customer service is faultless and Andy was great with any advice I needed. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy again, I recently purchased waist belts from McConks (my boards didn’t come with them a few years back and there were many cheaper alternatives online) but as I really trust the brand and support so it was obvious to come back.
One of the best boards on the market. I was lucky enough to borrow a quiver of Go Anywhere boards to give taster sessions to nurses from my local hospital. I was very impressed with both the 10’6 and 10’8 versions of this board. They are quick to inflate. Using the double action pump, I had 4 boards pumped to 18psi+ in less than 20 minutes. You could put more in it, but it really doesn’t need it, as I’m 18 stone (113kg) and 6’2 (188cm) and 18psi was more than enough to keep the board stiff and straight with me stood on it. The pads and rails are really well stuck down and don’t start coming loose as you get with some of the lesser quality boards, the deck pad is also super comfortable even on longer trips. Fin positioning is good with a US fin box allowing you to not only move the fin around depending on conditions, but change fins for different terrains. For personal use, I went for the carbon paddle which is super light and super stiff and highly recommend it.
The boards are absolutely awesome, they are an ethical and sustainable brand, but what I like most about the McConks brand is the customer service. They are very passionate about everything they do and this comes across in their products but also, if you are really unlucky and have a problem, they will bend over backwards to help you sort it.
You’d be hard pressed to find a better inflatable sup or company to buy it from
Go Anywhere really covers it.
This board has toured lakes, run rivers, surfed (albeit less successfully for me than my son but that’s not the boards fault).
Over the summer heat wave the whole family just used it as a lake soda to cool us down of an evening.
It’s bomb proof, hard wareing. It’s also the best board and the best value you can get in the SUP world.
We bought this on a recommend and have been very impressed. It has been inflated and deflated all summer for 3 years and shows no signs of wear. Big enough the take the kids with me but small enough to surf on when I’m by myself. Highly recommended for all round SUP fun
Fantastic paddle board for river, loch and sea paddling. Really good advice and customer support afterwards. Will definitely get me next board from McConks, thinking a GoExplore 12’8 or 14.
I purchased this board after trying both a Red and a Jobe. A couple of people then suggested McConks and after reading the reviews I decided to go for the 10ft 6 as my first board. So far I have used it on the sea in Cornwall and Weymouth, at times in some pretty strong winds and chop and it has been great, feels a bit tippy sometimes, however that is probably more down to my inexperience rather than the board as out of the wind in mild chop I have no problem at all staying upright. Build quality is excellent and it inflated to 18psi in 10-15 minutes with the upgrade pump. I have a 7 inch fin so maybe with a 9 inch it will be better in the sea ?. My wife also uses it, but prefers calmer sea and minimal wind. It appears to track really well in all conditions I have used it in and when kneeling I can really get some speed up. The bag it comes with is excellent quality and everything fits in, even the 2 piece paddle. Unpacking it to inflate is easier than packing it up after. It is a shame that you have to keep your thumb on the valve to deflate it (unless I am doing something wrong). I am now thinking of upgrading to the 12ft 6 for a quicker ride and maybe the kayak seat. Great board though
Very versatile board – light and easy to manoeuvre – very high quality materials.
Great board, practically indestructible and incredibly stable for new paddlers.
After many hours of searching and hiring various makes of boards we settled on two 10’6 McConks GoAnywhere boards. We even hired a McConks to test before we purchased. Firstly Andy and the service are second to none and the board, paddle and all the bits are outstanding. In the weeks since we took delivery we’ve been on the sea at Abersoch, flat and rough water, Bala lake and soon off to Barmouth. The whole expereince from the bags, pumping (keeping me fit) and riding the boards has been excellent. The kids are growing in confidence and teaching their old man techniques and style. Brilliant product and a company that deserves to do well. Only problem is my 4 year old wants his own board now!