Body Glove Performer 11 Review

If you're hunting for a board to quickly pump up and paddle, the Body Glove Performer 11' will fit the bill. At 34 inches wide and designed to support up to 320 pounds, this board is a good candidate to support you and your kid, pet, or gear. It's a nice option for beginners or anyone who wants to have a board on-hand for visitors. If you're unsure if SUP boarding is for you and you just want to get out on the water quickly, the Body Glove will get you there.

Performance Comparison

Stability

The Body Glove Performer has a single, detachable center fin that attaches to the board using a simple clip system found on many of the affordable boards we've tested. This board is easy to paddle and feels stable when loaded with an additional rider or pet when on calm water, but it rocks and rolls when paddling through choppy conditions. In boat waves, if the nose of the board is directed towards the waves, it will ride up and over rather than cutting through.

Glide Performance

The heavy, 3-piece paddle that comes with the Performer has a good shape but is not powerful enough to propel this board efficiently. The board feels thick and floaty while paddling. We could feel the drag even though it's designed with a 4.5-inch nose rocker. That said, the single fin helps to reduce the amount that the board shifts from side to side while paddling. Body Glove could significantly improve this board by adding two side fins to enhance glide performance and tracking.

The shape of the Body Glove Performer is similar to that of touring boards. It has a pointed nose and measures 34 inches at the center. The overall width and lack of significant rocker increase drag. Testers noticed it required more paddle strokes and effort to propel it than other boards in this range.

Maneuverability

Wider, longer boards take more effort and time to turn. Those with more fins are better at tracking but slower to turn. Looking at the shape of the Body Glove Performer, it's apparent that turning is not its best feature. Even in calm conditions, it takes a few more paddle strokes than thinner, lighter boards to change directions.

The deck pad runs all the way to the back of the board and provides a good grip for adjusting your stance or stepping back for turns. It does not feature a dedicated footrest for step-back turns, but larger, more powerful paddlers could raise the nose to do so. Bottom line: this board is not designed to be maneuvered around quickly.

Ease of Use

The board, pump, and aluminum 3-piece paddle all fit easily into the bag for this board. Inflation with the electric pump takes about 10 minutes, which is average for a board of this size. The paddle pieces attach using metal pins.

For carrying, there is just one center handle that doubles as a paddle holder. Putting this 24-pound board in and out of the water and lifting it on top of a vehicle would be easier with nose and tail handles and at least one handle on the side. The bungees on the front and back of the board can be used to hold things while carrying or paddling. With everything packed in the bag, the total carrying weight for the Performer is 32 pounds. The hip belt and chest strap provide additional security, and the padded straps offer cushioning. Smaller paddlers could adjust the backpack bag reasonably well to sit correctly on their backs, but it hit the back of their heads if tightened correctly.

Body Glove has chosen to include an electric pump that plugs into your car lighter, and it weighs far less than traditional manual pumps. We could use it easily, and it worked well to inflate the board while other gear got sorted out. However, we wish a wall plug was also included. That said, the inflation tube attachment is standard, so if you prefer a manual pump or know you'll be somewhere where power isn't available, you could inflate it that way.

Construction Quality

To increase rigidity, the Body Glove Performer is built with triple-layer stringers and side rails. The triple-layer PVC is standard for entry-level boards, and there is a rubber nose bumper to reduce the risk of damage. This design is how Body Glove can keep the cost and weight down on this board. As with all SUP boards, use it with care, and store it somewhere shady and cool if you decide to keep it inflated between paddles. The included paddle is heavy, and we noticed a bit of wiggle during use. If it's in your budget, we recommend upgrading your paddle. (See our favorite SUP paddles in our dedicated review.)

Should You Buy the Body Glove Performer 11'?

If you want to get out on the water right away and top-tier performance isn't required, grab a Body Glove Performer and go have some fun with your kids and pets. It's priced perfectly as an entry-level board, is easy to find, and will perform well enough to allow beginner paddlers to enjoy their local lake or pond. Body Glove could certainly improve this board by adding two side fins to compliment the center detachable fin, but for casual use and new paddlers, we don't think you'll be disappointed.

What Other Inflatable SUPs Should You Consider?

The Body Glove Performer is a no-hassle board that will allow beginner paddlers and families to get out on the water. It's generally available at well below its list price and has all you need to develop your skills as a stand-up paddleboarder. That said, this board still costs a chunk of change. If you want better performance at a much lower price point, the Funwater 11 can't be missed. Our favorite board, the Bote Breeze Aero, also comes at a great price and performed excellently across all our tests.