Each time I slid the Sea Gods paddle board out of its bag and carried it down to the shore, passersby paused to ask questions about the eye-catching artwork. Which is, truly, unlike that of any other paddle board.
From budget-friendly to high-end SUPs, there’s no shortage of choices in colors, patterns, or designs. Many SUPs tend to have water, river, or mountain-type graphics, while some have stripes or lines. There are even a few that have camo patterns or even faux wood wraps.
But when it comes to the “most beautiful” SUPs on market, Sea Gods may take the cake.
In short: We tested two different paddleboards (plus accessories!) from Sea Gods to get a feel for this brand’s board performance and style. The boards are great, have good stability, and there are a ton of different SUPs that cater to everyone from beginners to experts.
While the construction is sound and the on-water performance was good, the actual design and craft of each board far and away are what sets Sea Gods apart.
Sea Gods Paddleboard Artwork
Why are Sea Gods SUP boards so unique? The brand uses custom artwork designed by independent artists. Similar to custom topsheets on skis, the time, quality, and unique custom nature of each board are what caught our eye.
You can support and provide exposure to an independent artist of your choice — and get a quality board, whether that’s an all-arounder, one for yoga, or one for ultralight adventures.
And, the Artist Series change every year, so there’s only a certain number of boards with each artwork design. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.
Sea Gods 2022 Diatom Review
I tested out this board over the course of 5 months this summer (and early fall), in half a dozen different flat-water lakes around Colorado. In my opinion, this Sea Gods SUP is just as great for all-around, intermediate paddling as several other inflatable SUPs we’ve tested — and the artwork is just a bonus.
Specs
- Materials: 1.7mm PVC with heat-molded seams, 12800/M2 drop-stitch fabric
- Size: 10 feet by 34 inches by 6 inches
- PSI: 14-18 (max 20 PSI)
- Weight: 24 lbs.
- Accessories: Electric pump, kayak seat (we tested both)
- Pros: Spacious deckpad, stability, quality carbon paddle
- Cons: Limited on deck storage
- Best use: All-around flatwater paddling, lakes, river paddling
What We Loved
Of course, this is GearJunkie, so in testing, it’s not really about looks. This board is made well (I always check the drop-stitching, seams, attachment points, and overall SUP for any wonky construction).
The two boards we tested, the 11-foot Skylla and the Diatom (reviewed here), were really lightweight: 20-24 pounds, minus any accessories. The fin box is universal, and the inflation connection supports most electric pumps if you choose to use one.
One of the things I noticed early on is the Sea Gods SUP comes with a really nice carbon paddle, one of the best paddles we’ve seen so far included with a stock SUP package. It’s a three-piece carbon fiber shaft with a nylon blade, and it’s got great rigidity and is performance-quality.
Finally, I also enjoyed this brand’s board bags. They have roller wheels on one side, so they’re easy to transport from a home to car, such as in an urban setting like on a sidewalk. But the bags also are covered in grab handles and pack down well, so they are easy to transport backpack-style, too.
About the Artist: Sea Gods 2022 Diatom
“Markovka is a Russian-based surface designer who creates unique ornaments, detailed floral designs, and various other nature-inspired illustrations. Her patterns are dreamy and full of tangled lines and fantasy plants. Markovka has a passion for nature and color that distinguishes her work,” writes Sea Gods.
The detailed floral patterns in mandala style on the Diatom grace not just both sides of the board, but also the EVA deckpad as well. Every square inch pops with pattern and color. And the artist even incorporated the mermaid and trident Sea Gods logo.
Sea Gods SUP Conclusion
We had a blast testing out the Sea Gods 2022 Diatom and Skylla SUPs over the course of this summer (and fall). If you haven’t yet found a SUP on the market that fits your personality, Sea Gods probably has a SUP for you. Some have called them the best-looking SUPs in the industry, but along with that, we found they perform great as well.
If you are more of an occasional paddler, we recommend the Diatom, which the brand touts as the “top iSUP in Canada.” If you are more of an intermediate or like paddling longer distances, go for the touring model, the Skylla.
Its artist series designs change every season — and based on the current artist series and the fun we had on our first Sea Gods boards, we can’t wait to see what’s coming in 2023.
Check Diatom Availability at Sea Gods
