Aqua Marina Beast Review (2022) iSUP Paddleboard

The Aqua Marina Beast is a very popular board with classic allrounder dimensions.

It belongs to the manufacturer’s “All-Around Advanced” series and is the second-smallest model in this product family.

I will explain in detail in this review what features and accessories of this slightly higher quality series differ from the cheaper “All-Around” boards from Aqua Marina.

Therefore, I checked out the new model and tell you all the details of the board and the equipment and name all the strengths and weaknesses of the offer.

It is also particularly important to me to find out for whom the model is best suited, and for whom the other sizes of the board series may even be the better choice!

Look at our video review of the Aqua Marina Beast:

Short on Time? Here’s the Most Important:

The Aqua Marina Beast is a classic allrounder with completely average dimensions of 10’6″ x 32″ x 6″. The board is the second-smallest model in Aqua Marina’s newly revised “All-Around Advanced” series, which includes 3 other models besides the Beast (Coral, Magma and Atlas).

The boards of this series differ from the cheaper “All-Around” models (Breeze, Vapor, Fusion, and Monster) by a slightly higher quality construction (additionally reinforced rails), extended features (structure of the deckpad + kickpad) and by a better pump. More information can be found in the respective section!

Due to its characteristic dimensions and the typical allround design with rounded nose (board tip) and tail, the tipping stability is of course in the foreground. The board is accordingly a typical, resilient and versatile beginnner board.

However, Aqua Marina relies on the rather unusual single center fin in the plug-in fin system for all allrounders. Due to the gain in directional stability, the high stability of the boards is thereby supplemented by better straight running.

The features turn out to be quite classic. A luggage net, a central carrying loop and 4 additional D-rings for a kayak seat form a good basis for mastering varied challenges.

The elevation at the rear of the stand-up area (“kickpad”) is an exciting feature that allows you to perform spectacular turns (“pivot turn”) and maneuvers.

The Aqua Marina Beast comes with the following accessories:

Instruction manual, backpack, double stroke air pump (reversible), 3-piece and infinitely adjustable paddle, leash (safety line), removable single fin (plug-in system), repair kit incl. valve wrench.

Aqua Marina Beast Review in Detail

In the following part of the review, I go into more detail about the board and the included accessories. At the end of the article, I will answer frequently asked questions (FAQ). Since 2016, we’ve been trying to pool our ever-growing expertise for you, so you can find the right board for you even if you don’t have any previous experience!

If you have any further questions, please feel free to leave us a comment. We will try to answer you as soon as possible!

Product Specifications

Board Type	Inflatable
Brand	Aqua Marina
Skill	Beginner
Area of Application	Allround board (all-rounder)
Max. Paddler Weight	100 kg (220 lbs)
Length	320 cm (10’6″)
Width	81 cm (32″)
Thickness	15 cm (6″)
Volume	300 liters
Weight	8.7 kg (19.2 lbs)
Accessories	Instruction manual, backpack, double stroke air pump (switchable), 3-piece and infinitely adjustable paddle, leash (safety line), removable single fin (plug-in system), repair kit incl. valve key

Construction

The round nose is typical for allround boards. Due to this design and the solid width of 32 inches, the Aqua Marina Beast loses speed, but gains significantly in tipping stability. This feature makes the board especially attractive for beginners.

The tail is also rounded and runs out a little narrower (“pin tail”). This overall rounded silhouette leads to agile maneuverability, which is always an advantage, especially in varied areas of use. Due to the single fin, the board still runs quite track stable for an all-rounder.

The board tip is slightly bent upwards (“nose rocker”), which helps to keep the nose above water even in small waves. In terms of buoyancy, the single air chamber with a volume of a decent 300 liters is a solid base for slightly heavier paddlers.

Load Capacity

According to the manufacturer, the maximum load capacity of the Aqua Marina Beast is up to 310 lbs. However, for complete retention of the desired running characteristics, I think a maximum recommended user weight of 220 lbs is more realistic.

For rather unspecific uses, such as use as a swimming island or very short distances, you can certainly load the board heavier. However, it becomes increasingly sluggish and difficult to steer beyond 220 lbs. If you distribute the load evenly, you can also take a dog or a child with you on a short trip without any problems.

If you permanently need a higher load, the Magma and the Atlas from the “All-Around Advanced” series are two larger and thus more resilient models!

Areas of Application and Driving Characteristics

As already mentioned, the Aqua Marina Beast is practically the epitome of an allround board. No board type covers a wider range of applications than this one. Allrounders are the perfect compromise to be well equipped for almost any situation and any water. The board is extremely tilt-resistant and quite stiffly constructed, so that every beginner has a secure footing.

Due to the rounded shape of the tip and tail, it is easy to turn and to steer. With a little practice, you can leverage the tip out of the water and turn the board in tight spaces by dynamically shifting your weight onto the kick pad… Practice makes perfect! The performance spectrum is rounded off nicely by the single fin. This setup is optimal for longer and straighter runs.

Of course, the wide design also brings disadvantages, due to the high water resistance, you will reach only moderate speeds. If these features are particularly important to you, you should rather opt for a wide touring board.

With an optionally available kayak seat, the board is transformed into a stable SUP kayak in a short time. Many paddlers highly appreciate this option and often consider it as a decision criterion.

The Aqua Marina Beast is comfortable on many waters and copes well with light waves… That’s why it’s also a good and reliable partner for the family trip or vacation.

Material and Weight

The construction of the Aqua Marina Beast consists of a single-layer outer shell made of stable, UV-resistant PVC and the double-layer reinforced rails (sides). In addition, the side surfaces are covered with so-called “rail bands”, which makes this part even more resistant and is an important feature of the “All-Around Advanced” models.

The rails are crucial for stiffness, because when loaded from above, the trapped air tries to escape sideways. Think of it like a balloon that you press down on the table with the flat of your hand. If the sides are very stable, the air cannot expand and this leads to the high and very desirable strength.

The core is made using what is called the “dropstitch” process, where a great many polyester threads connect the top to the bottom and are also woven together…virtually all inflatable SUP boards (iSUPs) are made using this technique these days. By the way, Aqua Marina calls this combination of manufacturing processes “Dropstitch Light Technology”.

The result is the low dead weight of 19 lbs. The construction is therefore a very good middle ground between lightweight construction and good stiffness. Especially on longer trips to the water and when handling the inflated board, you will appreciate this very quickly.

Workmanship

We are generally really satisfied with the build quality of the Aqua Marina paddle boards we have tested so far. It stands in a very good relation to the price level. Of course, you have to keep in mind that hardly any other manufacturer produces and sells such large quantities, so there are bound to be outliers from time to time.

However, if you order via Amazon, you are completely safe in this respect and can rely on the well-known generous goodwill in case of complaints.

Design

Aqua Marina has unified the designs of the “All-Around Advanced” series and the boards only differ in color. The Aqua Marina Beast mainly uses different shades of blue. In the tail area of the top and sides, a strong yellow complements the look of the board.

The deckpad is additionally framed by black and white elements on the sides. The print in the nose area is reminiscent of a wave pattern of finely drawn lines. The logo, the lettering of the model and the manufacturer decorates the top and also loosens up the otherwise plain blue tread a bit.

The details to the board are printed in black in the rear area of the rails. For my taste, the design is sporty, modern and should be quite suitable for the masses. Blue is still one of the most popular colors of paddle boards and other water sports equipment.

Other Features

The Aqua Marina Beast has the following other features:

• Deck Pad: The large standing surface is made of slip-resistant EVA and provides a secure footing. The surface of the “diamond structure” is additionally textured. The small elevations are reminiscent of small stones and improve the grip again significantly.

• Central Carrying Loop: The board has a central carrying loop made of lightly padded, robust strap material, which is decorated with an Aqua Marina rubber patch. The central carrying loop also marks the optimal stance position, the so-called “sweet spot”, if you place your feet to the left and right of it, you will enjoy the greatest possible stability.

• 5 Free D-rings: At the tail is a large, sturdy D-ring to attach the included leash (safety line). This is integrated into the rubber patch of the valve. The smaller, lateral 4 D-rings on the deck pad are for mounting a kayak seat (optional).

• Single Fin: The single center fin is removable via a plug-in system (slide-in system).
• Adjustable Luggage Net: In the front area there is a black, elastic cover net, which is attached to 4 further D-rings and is additionally adjustable. The rings are edged with triangular PVC patches in matching colors. Here you can safely stow equipment or provisions. So that everything stays nice and dry, you should rather store your luggage in a waterproof dry bag.

• Kick Pad: This elevation in the rear area of the deck pad is elementary important for fast changes of direction and turning maneuvers. When you shift your weight to this point, the tip lifts out of the water, and you can easily turn the board.

Accessories

The Aqua Marina Beast comes with the following accessories:

• Aqua Marina Beast SUP Backpack (Premium Zip Backpack Size M): Inside the black backpack with a large main compartment including a full wrap-around zipper, there is a small slip pocket to hold the fin and instruction manual. The contents can be securely fixed with 2 integrated, adjustable luggage straps. To carry it, it has lightly padded adjustable straps and a chest strap in addition to 2 carrying loops (top and side). A functional, roomy entry-level model that overall makes an average impression for the price. A slightly thicker padding would certainly be desirable in terms of comfort. Dimensions: 36 x 17 x 10 inches.
• Switchable Aqua Marina Beast Double-Action Air Pump With Pressure Indicator (Liquid Air V2): With the included black and red double-stroke air pump, you can pump air into the board both when pulling up and when pushing down. If this becomes increasingly difficult towards the end, you can easily switch to the less strenuous single-stroke mode by flipping a lever. In this mode, the pump only works when you press down on the ergonomically shaped handle. From a certain threshold, the pressure gauge (pressure indicator) shows the pressure reached and you can precisely set the desired value. This air pump is slightly larger and overall better than the model (Liquid Air V1) that comes with the cheaper boards of the “All-Around” series (Breeze, Vapor, Fusion and Monster).

• 3-piece Aqua Marina Beast Paddle (Sports III): The set includes a 3-piece paddle with aluminum shaft (“Sports III”). It can be continuously adjusted from 68.9″ – 86.8″ with the help of the clamp fastener. There is a printed length scale on the handle part. The shaft is made of 0.5 inch thick aluminum and has a diameter of 1.14″. The paddle blade as well as the handle are made of plastic (reinforced polypropylene). The connection from the paddle blade part to the shaft is made by a “spring bolt” (click connection), which unfortunately has some play. A very durable but overall cheap and with 38,8 oz quite heavy paddle for beginners! Paddle blade dimensions: 15.7″ x 7.9″.
• Detachable Aqua Marina Beast Single Fin: The single large dolphin-shaped center fin is detachable and attaches to the board via the plug-in system. To install it, simply slide it into the fin box (slide-in system) and secure it with a small clip, which is also secured to a small cord to prevent loss. This system has clear advantages over the US box system (with screw and threaded plate) in terms of speed. On the other hand, there are fewer models available for retrofitting.

• Aqua Marina Beast Leash (Safety Leash): In case of a fall into the water, the board should always remain close to you, this is very important for your safety and can also prevent a loss. With the help of this safety leash, you can connect yourself to the board via the Velcro cuff at the ankle. Unfortunately, the 0.2 inches leash of this model is not spiral, but always full length 8′. This means there is a possibility that the leash will get in your way from time to time, and you might get stuck somewhere with it. Popular coiled leashes can be found here.
• Aqua Marina Beast Repairkit Including Valve Key: This small kit consists of color matching PVC patches and a valve key. Unfortunately, the glue is missing, so you can repair small damages on the board directly yourself. With the key, you can check the valve for tightness and replace it in case of a defect.

FAQ

Conclusion

The Aqua Marina Beast is a very solid all-around board and a really good choice for the price. It has been on the market for years and continues to be very popular. As with the other boards in the “All-Around Advanced” line (Coral, Magma and Atlas), I think this model is worth the extra price over the cheaper models in the “All-Around” series (Breeze, Vapor, Fusion and Monster), at least for very ambitious beginners.

These are also recommended for price-conscious beginners, but the more stable construction (additional reinforcement of the rails), the extended features (structured deckpad with kickpad) and the more powerful pump form a real added value.

The balanced dimensions and the good-natured, versatile ride make the board a reliable companion. The load capacity is still sufficient even for somewhat larger and heavier paddlers. Of course, a lighter paddle, a slightly better padded backpack and a spiral-shaped safety line (coiled leash) would be desirable, but this would certainly lead to a significantly higher price.

In any case, everything necessary for a successful start is included in the complete set. The price/performance ratio is, as usual, very good. It is not for nothing that the all-round boards from Aqua Marina have always been among the best-selling specimens and have proven their qualities for a long time.