REASONS TO BUY
Stable
No middle strap (for SUP yoga)
REASONS TO AVOID
No middle strap (for use when carrying)
Pump nozzle is not universal
NRS Mayra Review
A stable board that lacks transportability, this model is best suited for SUP yoga
Credit: NRS
By Shey Kiester ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ July 10, 2017
Our Verdict
The NRS Mayra is one of our favorites for lazy days lounging on the water. We loved taking a book out with us on this model or doing some light SUP yoga on calm days. While thinner than most other models, this board makes up for it with a wider waist that provides plenty of stability. Of course, all of this stability comes at a price, and this board is one of the least maneuverable in the review. This is the model we'd recommend if you're planning on using the board as a more stationary platform for yoga or lounging around and can sacrifice quick maneuvers and high speeds.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Among the most stable boards in our review, the NRS Mayra is a showstopper when it comes to activities like SUP yoga, whitewater, or after work beers on the water. However, this stability comes with the sacrifice of glide performance, which this model lacks.
The NRS model was easy to inflate, but its pump lacks a universal model, which means if you're hiking in, you'll need to bring this pump and the pumps for any other boards.
Stability
This metric is by far the Mayra's strongest suit. Although this model is an inch less thick than most contenders, its wider waist makes up for it. At 34" wide, this model has two inches extra width over any other model in our lineup, which makes it easy to make movements and shift weight when riding on the board. We loved having our furry friends along for the ride on this model, and it made SUP yoga fun and easy.
Glide Performance
With such a high stability score, this board predictably has trouble performing in the glide metric. Its blunt nose and wide waist make this thing feel like a bus when trying to reach higher speeds. However, if you're planning on sitting in one place for awhile out on the water, then this shouldn't be a factor.
The NRS featured a single fin, but its wide design made it stable. Plus, it comes with a narrower fin if you are floating in the shallower water.
Maneuverability
The blunt nose and wide waist that reduce this board's ability to glide smoothly and track in a straight also make it difficult to turn it quickly or maneuver through tight spaces. The extra surface area prevents quick and nimble movements. For its intended purpose as a stable platform for yoga or relaxing on the water, most users shouldn't need the ability to squeeze through tight spaces.
Ease of Transport
Although NRS provides a high-quality bag that is reminiscent of a river bag and is built to last, the Mayra loses points in this category because it is the only board in our review that lacks a center handle. This crucial handle makes carrying the board by yourself much easier, and we found that this board was nearly impossible to portage.
Ease of Inflation
The Mayra is one of the few boats that sticks out in this department and unfortunately, it is not in a good way. Although the included pump is among the stronger pumps in the review, the nozzle is the only one in the test that is not universally fitting. This means that none of the other pumps in this test will fit this model, and the Mayra's pump can not be used with any of the other models. While not too big of a deal if you only have one board, this can be annoying with more than one board, because it requires you to lug different pumps around.
The universal nozzle that is common to most pumps is shown on the left, compared with the non-universal nozzle of the NRS model
Value
This board is on the pricer end of the lineup of models in our review. However, because this board fills an important niche and satisfies the needs of SUP yoga enthusiasts, we feel that the price is consistent with what you'll get in this package. Figure out a way to carry this board to and from the water, and it is sure to last season after season.
Dog + SUP = Love
Credit: Quinn Dannies
Conclusion
The NRS Mayra is a purpose-built board, and it shows. Although this board does not top every metric, it crushes the one that is important for its designed purpose. If you're planning on doing more than a few sun salutations out on the water and aren't planning on pushing your SUP on long-distance missions, this is the board for you.
—Shey Kiester
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