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Summary: The Hala Milligram is the best inflatable SUP river surfing board for the advanced-expert level paddler. Continue reading for the full review…
When it comes to inflatable SUPs specifically designed for river surfing, most boards are targeted toward beginner or intermediate skill levels. While inflatables are great for surfers new to the sport, they also can be good for the more experienced paddler in certain conditions. As an expert level SUP river surfer, the Milligram is the most fun inflatable I’ve surfed.
I like surfing hard boards. If you take a look at any of my videos, you’ll usually see me surfing an epoxy board. However, during low water (early and late season here in Colorado), I am pretty much guaranteed to ding my hardboard on shallow rocks. This is when inflatables and other durable boards are a lifesaver. Inflatables like the Milligram are not only durable, they pack down into a transportable size making them an easy backup board to take when I don’t know the conditions.
The Milligram has in-cut rails giving it a peanut like shape. But unlike other “nut” shaped boards, the in-cut is set close to the nose. This in-cut allows the board to have a nice amount of nose rocker, which is key for surfing small, low-flow waves and holes. The size and shape of this board is what makes it great for advanced surfers. It responds quickly and can make snappy turns on a tiny hole. And with five quick-click fin boxes, the board can be surfed as loose as you want. Long grinds or even spins are possible on this board if you have the skills.
While the Milligram is great for advanced surfers, its size makes it is difficult for beginner paddlers. The board feels quite small and squirrely in the eddy, and even smaller when on the wave. Also keep in mind that this board might be more difficult to surf for the heavier paddler (I weigh in at 160lbs). If you are a beginner or intermediate level paddler, I would recommend looking at the Badfish IRS or the Sol Jah.
The only downfall to its size is that sometimes it doesn’t have enough volume to surf the smallest or slowest waves and holes. Small and slow features tend to be the ones that are also shallow, and thus are ideal for inflatables. The balance between performance (low volume) and versatility (high volume) is struck well with the Milligram by tending mostly towards performance without sacrificing too much versatility.
Aside from the Milligram being too small to surf some of the tiny waves and holes, I don’t have any other criticisms. It’s a great board, constructed with high quality materials, from a reputable company, with excellent customer service. If you’ve been SUP river surfing for awhile and are looking for a board that won’t ding, the Milligram is a great choice.
Written by | Benjamin
Benjamin Smith is a land locked surfer living in Colorado. He gets his surfing fix on the local rivers, where he SUP surfs standing waves.
alberto
May 20, 2018 at 1:39 am
Hola, nice review. I would really apreciate if you could test inflatables boards that are sold on Europe (STARBOARD, REDPADDLE, NAISH…), as we cant buy some of the brands that you use to paddle there.
CHEERS
Benjamin
May 21, 2018 at 8:32 am
Unfortunately Starboard, Redpaddle, and Naish all lack a river surf board from their quivers. For river surfing you really need something 7′ or under. I pay for all the boards that I review (I’m not sponsored, and don’t get free boards to review). As such, I don’t purchase a board unless I’m interested in actually owning it. Those companies just don’t make boards that I find interesting for the river.
Mac
May 24, 2018 at 4:13 pm
Hello
Good review.
Live in europe to, It’s hard to find river surf sup here
I find that
https://gongsupshop.com/epages/box1707.sf/fr_FR/?ObjectPath=/Shops/box1707/Products/GON8SUPCM75
7.5 / 29 140L with a good rocker , I ‘am 176 lb
What do you think about that?
have a good day
Benjamin
May 24, 2018 at 7:41 pm
I’ve wanted to try a Gong SUP for awhile now, but they are hard to get in the US! That board looks good, and would suit your weight for river surfing as long as you’re not a beginner.
Tony
May 28, 2018 at 6:37 pm
Thanks for the review. What do you think about the Badfish Cobra? I tried the older model once and it was great. It is 6’6 and super wide with lots of volume. I’m not as interested in sup with a paddle, but more for standard river surfing, and it was easy to pop up on. I could possibly use the paddle sometimes too, and would like to try that as well, but have never really done that. This is just my second year river surfing. The only downside is it’s not inflatable, but I really liked it because it wasn’t super long liken the inflatables so I could turn more and not catch the nose so much. Just curious about your thoughts. Thanks!
Benjamin
June 3, 2018 at 8:54 pm
The Cobra is a pretty big board to surf without a paddle. You can checkout my review for it here. What waves do you plan on surfing with it? If you’re into inflatables, there are a few different short inflatables SUPs you could look at: Sol Jah, Badfish IRS (new or old), or the Hala Milligram.
Hirsch Roland
October 18, 2018 at 12:44 am
Thank to your review I just ordered the Hala Milligram even though I consider my self an intermediate river surfer. So far I used my Hala Atcha for surfing only. It works on flat waves but takes a lot of force to turn it. I’m really looking forward to become an advanced river surfer with my new board. Keep on writing your reviews. Thanks again.