Who is Glide SUP?
Founders: Ken Driscoll
Where: Salt Lake City, UT
When: 2008
Welcome to our Glide SUP company overview page! On this page, we’ll get into some backstory of Glide as a company and provide a brief review of each paddle board in their line-up.
Glide began in 2008 after founder and professional whitewater kayaker Ken Driscoll made the switch to Stand Up Paddleboarding following a severe kayaking injury. Ken’s experience and expertise in performance boat design and drive to create tough-as-nails performance Stand Up Paddle Boards have led Glide for the last 17 years.
Glide’s paddle boards quickly became a favorite among outfitters and guides for their paddling performance and extreme durability. Ken even produced a series of “Will it Break Wednesdays” videos on YouTube where they try (unsuccessfully) to break their paddle boards by having them fall off moving cars, throwing them off waterfalls, and more.
Why do we love Glide SUPs and recommend them?
There are four reasons why we love Glide SUPs and have no hesitation recommending them to you.
First, as you can guess from the intro above, they are supremely durable. Glide’s construction has always been high quality, but their new “3.0” construction is truly incredible. The new Glide AeroMatrix core uses cross-woven drop stitching inside the board to increase rigidity and reduce weight along with a new dual-layer fusion PVC shell. The new 3.0 construction shed up to three pounds of weight compared to the previous version. That’s not all, either. Glide’s ThermoFuse rails blend dual-heat-welded seams with a third layer of PVC reinforcement for maximum longevity and durability that you can actually see. When deflating Glide’s iSUPs, the rails keep standing on their own, even with an electric pump pulling out the air!
Next is how well these boards perform on the water. Glide has several iSUPs for all-around use, yoga, fishing, touring, and whitewater. Each of these models paddles excellently with the right blend of features like stability, maneuverability, and tracking to suit each model. Ken’s board designs go through small tweaks and changes with every generation to constantly improve on this performance.
In addition to how these SUPs feel on the water, Glide also includes a very generous and high-quality accessory kit with each one. Each iSUP comes with a complete accessory kit with pump, leash, paddle, and fins, but it doesn’t stop there. Almost all Glide SUPs come with an inflatable kayak seat designed for comfort and ergonomics, and the fishing SUPs include accessories like adjustable rod holders and accessory mounting feet.
Last, but certainly not least, Glide SUPs offer one of the best dollar-for-dollar values available today. Not only is each board built incredibly well, not only do they come with excellent accessory kits, but Glide also warranties them for 5 years – one of the longest manufacturer warranties in the industry!
So, I guess the only question left is which Glide SUP(s) are you getting?
Glide SUP Reviews – The Boards
O2 Retro 3.0 all-around iSUP (See Full Review)
The O2 Retro 3.0 is Glide’s flagship all-around paddle board. It’s designed for ease of use and stability, but retains excellent paddling performance on the water. With a 33.5” width and full-length deck pad, this wider all-around SUP is perfect for beginners or sharing with a friend. But the Retro also has a spry feeling on the water thanks to the tapering tail shape.
The 3.0 construction makes the Retro lighter than ever, but keeps the board rigid when you’re paddling it. Welded rails and dual-layer PVC shell give you peace of mind while out on the water and will keep the Retro paddling for years to come.
In addition to the board itself, Glide includes a high-quality inflatable seat and you can add a second paddle blade to their comfortable fiberglass/nylon paddle for a full kayak conversion.
O2 Angler 3.0 fishing iSUP (See Full Review)
If you like the idea of hauling in lunkers from those hard-to-reach fishing holes, the Glide O2 Angler 3.0 is the SUP for you. The O2 Angler is purpose-built for SUP fishing, and excels on those smaller bodies of water where maneuverability is key. At 36” wide, this board is incredibly stable no matter how hard that fish is fighting.
Glide outfits the Angler with a set of accessories that are ready to get you fishing right out of the box. In addition to the standard kit of Glide accessories (like a paddle and inflatable seat), the Angler comes with two fully-adjustable fishing rod holders that mount to the Rail Blaza-compatible points on the front of the deck pad. They also have two Scotty-style mounts on the rear of the deck (in addition to two large cargo bungees) to make sure that you can bring everything you need for a successful day fishing.
O2 Lotus 3.0 yoga iSUP (See Full Review)
The Glide O2 Lotus 3.0 is designed for yogis who want to connect, relax, and workout on the water. The 34” wide board is shaped with a near symmetrical taper from nose to tail to keep it stable and consistent as you move through your flow. The soft deck pad covers the entire board and the only interruptions are a single carrying handle in the middle and a small cargo area on the nose.
But like Glide’s other iSUPs, the O2 Lotus 3.0 is built for more. It’s a great all-around cruiser SUP for those who want more stability and the ability to easily share with a friend, and the Lotus comes with Glide’s AirThrone inflatable seat and user-friendly fiberglass and nylon paddle.
O2 Mako fishing iSUP (Full Review Coming Soon)
Anglers who like to explore, reach those far-off secret spots, and want the most versatility possible in a single craft should look no further than the Glide O2 Mako. While the Mako doesn’t carry the “3.0” moniker, it is built with Glide’s latest technology including the cross-woven core and triple-layer welded rails for maximum durability.
The Mako is longer than the Angler (12’6” long) making it more efficient for paddling longer distances, but the key difference is the hole in the front of the board. That’s right, a hole. The Glide Mako is built to work with the Mako Pedal Drive unit (sold separately). Combined with the included AirThrone kayak seat, the Mako is fully convertible to a pedal-driven kayak for hands-free movement on the water. When you aren’t using the pedal drive, Glide includes a collapsible accessory bucket to turn the pedal drive port into a handy gear holder.
O2 Quest 3.0 touring iSUP (Full Review Coming Soon)
Glide’s touring SUP – the O2 Quest 3.0 – is built for effortless paddling mile after mile. This streamlined board is 12’6” long and 30” wide with a long-tapering nose to glide smoothly through the water. With the widest point just behind the center of the board, the Quest focuses on paddling efficiency first. This does make it a little less stable, but for the SUP fitness enthusiast, this helps work on stability and core strength while paddling. It also makes the Quest more maneuverable than many other 12’6 SUPs, which is great if you paddle frequently on rivers or smaller bodies of water where you may need to navigate and turn more frequently.
O2 Lochsa 3.0 whitewater iSUP (Full Review Coming Soon)
Last, but not least, in Glide’s iSUP lineup is the O2 Lochsa 3.0. This is a SUP built for adrenaline junkies. The 9’6” x 35” board is heavily rockered on the nose and tail for quick maneuvering through rocky rapids and climbing over wave trains and holes. The 3.0 construction keeps the Lochsa lightweight, but rigid and extremely durable – especially with the triple-layer rail system. The Lochsa also comes with three shorter flexible fins to give you the right balance of tracking and agility, while also keeping the fin, fin box, board, and you safe in shallow water.
Glide SUP Review: Accessories:
Glide’s accessory kits are a brilliant match for their iSUPs. Each board comes with a basic core set of high-quality accessories, and specialty boards also include additional items to get you out on the water instead of waiting for some obscure piece to arrive in the mail.
Here are our thoughts on the great accessories that come with every Glide inflatable paddle board:
- Paddle:
Glide’s three-piece paddle uses a fiberglass shaft and a reinforced nylon blade. Fiberglass is nearly as light as carbon fiber, but provides a softer feel in the water with more flex. This reduces strain on your arms and back, and keeps you paddling for longer. The nylon blade is impact-resistant and has a narrow shape to make it more versatile on the water whether you are cruising the bay or working on your cardio during a fitness session. - Pump:
Glide includes a high-volume double-action hand pump with each board. The hand pump is easy to use and can inflate the O2 Retro 3.0 in about 7-8 minutes depending on how fast you pump. Like with all iSUPs, though, we do recommend upgrading to an electric pump for hands-free inflation.
- Leash:
Glide also includes a standard 10’ coiled leash with all of their iSUPs. These work great for flatwater, however if you are paddling on the river (whether its calm or whitewater) you’ll need to change up to a quick-release system or leave the leash at home for safety. - Repair Kit:
The Glide iSUP repair kit comes with a valve wrench in case you need to adjust the tension in your valve body, and two color-matched PVC patches and PVC boat glue to fix any small leaks or tears on the body of the board. The seams of Glide’s iSUPs are triple-reinforced and heat-welded, and backed by a 5-year warranty. - Fins and other accessories:
Each Glide SUP comes with fins matched to the board itself. The Lotus and Quest come with a single 9” fin to match their single US fin boxes, while the Angler, Mako, and Retro come with a 9” center fin and 4.5” side fins. The Lochsa includes three flexible fins (4.5” and 2x 3.5”).
- Backpack:
Glide’s iSUP backpack is that right mix of durability and weight. It’s not over-built, but it holds up well over time. Additionally, the bags are sized to easily fit your board and all of the included accessories (which can not be said for all brands and boards!). The bag has both a padded backpack harness and wheels for easy transportation.
The Angler and Mako also both include several fishing-specific accessories like rod holders, rack mounts, and more.
Where To Buy a Glide Stand Up Paddle Board, Warranties, and Return Policy:
We highly recommend purchasing Glide SUPs directly from their website to ensure access to their 5-year warranty automatically with your purchase. You can also receive help directly from Glide’s customer service if you have any questions before or after your purchase.
Glide also has a 30 day return policy. You are allowed to return your paddle board within 30 days of delivery for any reason, minus a 20% restocking fee. You may also be charged an additional amount for any damage, or if the board is not in a like new condition.
Glide SUP offers free shipping to the continental US, but international shipping is available at an additional cost. Contact Glide customer service for more information on shipping charges and timelines.
Mike Carney
Latest posts by Mike Carney (see all)
- Glide SUP Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards (iSUPs) Review – 2025 - March 14, 2025
- Best Paddle Boards for Rivers and Whitewater, 2025 - March 14, 2025