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Honu: portable paddleboards for boating holidays
Honu makes Australian-designed inflatable paddleboards for general paddling, touring and surf. For cruising owners, a board offers another activity at suitable stops and can be packed away between outings instead of needing the space of a rigid SUP.
Design for carrying and paddling
The brand focuses on low weight and rigidity, using woven construction and reinforcement in its designs. Lower-profile models within the range bring the paddler closer to the water.
We like that the attention goes beyond portability alone. A board needs to be manageable to bring along, but the reason to own it is the time spent paddling. Construction and shape help make those two parts of the experience work together.
A choice of boards and accessories
Honu offers all-round, touring and surf designs, alongside paddles, pumps, bags, fins and accessories. The equipment can be chosen around the activity rather than simply the first board that fits the available storage.
The brand began in Bondi in 2001 and designs in Sydney. Industrial engineer Mark Travers took over in 2019, bringing that background to its product development.
Why we feature Honu
Owners maintain engines and other systems so they can use their boats and enjoy the places they reach. A paddleboard can add something to that enjoyment without needing to be part of the vessel's operation.
We feature Honu for its clear product priorities: manageable weight, stiffness and designs for different paddling. The inflatable format makes the range practical to consider for boating holidays, while the construction focus gives buyers more to assess than colour and appearance.