ISLE Pioneer 3 & Pioneer Pro 2: A New Perspective on Stand-Up Paddling
Looking for something to mix things up on the water? Maybe cold or dry weather has left you with nothing but flat water to paddle, or an injury has temporarily kept you out of your kayak. Whatever the reason, it might be time to give stand-up paddleboarding a try.
I used to be one of those kayakers who only kayaked. Raft? Only if I was in the back and getting paid. Canoe? No thanks. Hike? Maybe to the put-in. Camp? Sure, on a multi-day trip. Bike? What, no shuttle available? SUP? What’s up with you?
I took my hiatus from kayaking during the SUP revolution and never really got into the sport. However, as I’ve returned to paddling with a little more age, hopefully a little more wisdom, and a newfound appreciation for the outdoors, I’ve developed a greater respect for anything that gets people outside enjoying nature and time on the water.
So, when I got the opportunity to try out the Pioneer 3 and Pioneer Pro 2 paddle boards from ISLE, I was stoked to give them a paddle.
My first impression came before I even hit the water. Setup was incredibly easy, although I highly recommend adding the electric pump to your gear collection. Once inflated and on the water, I was genuinely impressed by the boards’ rigidity, stiffness, and responsiveness.
ISLE’s new InfinityFiber Technology™, which increases board rigidity by more than 300%, essentially takes the inflatable SUP experience to another level. These boards feel much closer to a traditional hardboard than what you might expect from an inflatable.
If you’ve ever wondered whether to buy an inflatable SUP or a traditional hardboard, ISLE makes a pretty compelling argument for the inflatable. You get the convenience and portability of an inflatable package without sacrificing too much of the rigidity and performance you’d typically associate with a hardboard.
The Pioneer 3 is a great board in its own right, but stepping up to the Pioneer Pro 2, you can really appreciate the difference. The additional rigidity from the InfinityFiber Technology is noticeable underfoot and translates into a more responsive feel on the water.
This video shows the highlights of the SUP by designer Jimmy Blakeney.
As a kayaker, I’m comfortable on the water, and balance has generally come naturally to me. Still, transitioning from a seated paddling position to standing on a board had me a little apprehensive at first. Fortunately, both the Pioneer 3 and Pioneer Pro 2 proved to be stable, forgiving, and easy to paddle. I was comfortable on the boards in no time.
I can see these boards being a great addition to any paddler’s quiver. They’re perfect for a day on the lake or at the beach with family, a change of pace from your kayak, or even a way to cross-train and spend more time on the water when whitewater isn’t an option.
Sometimes it’s nice to slow things down, take in your surroundings, and simply enjoy being on the water without worrying about the next rapid, play feature, or shuttle.
Whether you’re looking for a new way to enjoy the outdoors, a little cross-training, or simply a beautiful way to glide across the water, the ISLE Pioneer Pro 2 deserves a spot on your radar. I went into this review as a kayaker who had largely overlooked SUP. I came away with a new appreciation for the sport and a couple of boards that made a pretty convincing case for getting out there and giving it a try.