Duotone Raven Bamboo

Duotone Raven Bamboo SUP 12'6" x 28.5"

The Duotone Raven Bamboo SUP is a fast, efficient hard touring board for paddlers who want to cover distance with less effort while keeping a calm, stable feel underfoot. At 12'6" long and 28.5" wide, it sits in that useful space between a full race board and a traditional touring SUP: quick enough to feel rewarding, but not so narrow that every paddle stroke becomes a balance exercise.

This is the board for paddlers who enjoy longer routes, cleaner glide and a more connected feel on the water. It suits sheltered coastal exploring, lakes, canals, rivers and flatter open water sessions where you want to paddle further, maintain speed and carry light kit without moving to a full-blown race shape.

If you are comparing it with inflatable touring boards, the Raven Bamboo offers the key advantage of a composite hard board: a more direct, efficient feel. There is no inflation, no flex underfoot and less energy lost through the board. Every stroke translates more cleanly into forward movement, which matters over longer distances.

Who is the Duotone Raven Bamboo for?

The Raven Bamboo is best suited to paddlers who already enjoy SUP and want more glide, speed and distance than a general all-round board can offer. It is a strong choice for intermediate paddlers moving into longer touring, fitness paddlers who want a smoother board for regular training, and experienced paddlers who want a fast but manageable 12'6" hard board.

It may not be the right first board for someone who wants maximum stability, very easy family use or simple storage at home. If you need something compact for holidays or small-car transport, an inflatable paddleboard may still make more sense. If you have the storage and transport sorted, the Raven Bamboo rewards you with a more refined paddling experience.

Why choose the Raven Bamboo?

The Raven Bamboo takes inspiration from Duotone’s raceboard development but makes the shape more accessible for everyday touring. The narrow piercing nose helps the board cut cleanly through the water, while the longer 12'6" waterline keeps it moving efficiently between strokes. The 28.5" width keeps the board confident and useable without turning it into a wide, slow cruiser.

The slightly recessed deck, wider tail and high-apex rails help the board feel settled beneath your feet. That means you can focus on rhythm, scenery and distance rather than constantly correcting your balance. For customers looking for one premium hard board for fitness, exploring and faster touring, this is where the Raven Bamboo makes a lot of sense.

Full Custom Bamboo construction

The Raven Bamboo uses Duotone’s Full Custom Bamboo construction, combining a lightweight CNC-shaped EPS core with a composite bamboo/PVC sandwich build. In plain English, that gives the board a stiff, lively feel without making it overly heavy or dull underfoot.

The benefit on the water is simple: the board responds quickly when you paddle, trim your weight or step back to turn. That makes the Raven Bamboo feel efficient on flat water and more composed when conditions become lightly textured.

Performance on the water

The Raven Bamboo is not trying to be a twitchy race board. It is a fast tourer with enough width and volume to keep longer paddles enjoyable. The piercing nose helps reduce drag, the straight mid-section helps the board track, and the refined tail releases water cleanly so the board does not feel stuck or sluggish at cruising speed.

For a paddler moving from a typical 10'6" all-round board, the difference will be very noticeable. You will get more glide per stroke, better direction holding and a calmer rhythm over distance. Compared with a narrow race board, the Raven Bamboo is more forgiving and easier to relax on, especially if you are carrying kit or paddling in mixed conditions.

Specifications

Model	Duotone Raven Bamboo SUP
Size	12'6" x 28.5"
Length	12'6" / 381 cm
Width	28.5" / 72.4 cm
Volume	275 litres
Construction	Full Custom Bamboo composite construction
Board type	Hard touring / freerace SUP
Best use	Distance paddling, fitness, touring, exploring and fast cruising
Colour	Brown bamboo finish

Package includes

• Duotone Raven Bamboo SUP board
• Touring deck bungee storage system
• Fin setup as supplied by Duotone

Please note that paddles, leashes, board bags and transport accessories are not automatically included unless clearly shown as part of the selected package or bundle. If you need a complete setup, we can help you pair the Raven Bamboo with the right SUP paddle, SUP leash and SUP transport accessories.

Buying advice

Choose the Raven Bamboo if you want a hard board that feels faster and more efficient than an inflatable touring SUP, but you do not want the nervous feel of a narrow race board. It is a particularly good option if you paddle regularly, enjoy routes rather than short beach sessions, and want a board that makes distance feel easier.

If your priority is casual family paddling, very easy stability or simple storage, look at our all-round paddleboards instead. If you are specifically comparing long-distance boards, browse our touring paddleboards and composite paddle boards to see where the Raven Bamboo fits.

Why buy from The SUP Company?

At The SUP Company, we help customers choose boards based on how they actually paddle, not just what looks good on a spec sheet. The Raven Bamboo is a premium touring board, so it is worth getting the decision right. If you are unsure whether this is the right width, shape or construction for your experience level, speak to us before buying.

You can also visit our SUP Test Centre at Woodmill to compare different board styles and get practical advice from people who work with these boards every day.

FAQs

Is the Duotone Raven Bamboo suitable for beginners?

It can work for confident beginners with good balance, but it is better suited to paddlers who already have some SUP experience and want to move into faster touring or fitness paddling. Complete beginners may find a wider all-round board easier to start with.

Is this a race board or a touring board?

The Raven Bamboo is best described as a fast touring or freerace board. It borrows ideas from raceboard design but keeps the ride more accessible and comfortable for longer, more relaxed distance paddling.

Can I use it on rivers and canals?

Yes, the 12'6" length and efficient outline make it well suited to rivers, canals and flatter inland routes. Just be mindful of tight turns, shallow sections and transport, as this is a full-size hard board rather than an inflatable.

How does it compare with an inflatable touring board?

A good inflatable touring board is easier to store and transport, but the Raven Bamboo will feel stiffer, more direct and more efficient on the water. If you have the space for a hard board and paddle regularly, the performance upgrade is significant.

What paddle should I choose with this board?

A lightweight carbon or carbon-blend paddle makes the most sense with a board like this. A heavy basic paddle will reduce the benefit of choosing such an efficient touring board, especially over longer distances.