First Look: The 2025 Hala Atcha 86 & 96 White Water SUP Boards

Three weeks ago, I had the privilege of being the first person in the UK to paddle the new Hala Atcha 86 and 96 white water SUP boards. Since then I’ve had 10 days on the river, pushing both boards to their limits. Not only do they look the part, but they perform exceptionally well too. This article provides an overview of the new design and key features of the 2025 models.

Stay tuned to the end to see what these board are capable of!!!

What’s Changed?

Design
Pointed Nose
Rocker
Grab Handles

Design - A Photographer’s Dream

As a photographer, I can’t lie—my favourite part about this board is the new artwork and design. The retro logo and bright colours really make it pop. Compared to the previous design, the contrast against the river and surrounding nature makes it an absolute dream to photograph.

Pointed Nose: The Game Changer

The biggest visible change is at the front—the nose is now pointed. And I mean really pointed!

You might wonder, what difference does this make? Well, when driving your line down the river and trying to punch through a hole—especially with a drybag full of gear on the front—the old Atcha could stall, causing you to lose momentum and potentially wipe out.

With the new pointed nose and additional rocker, the board now pierces through holes effortlessly.

This was demonstrated during a lap on the River Tay while comparing the boards. Devan and I spotted a sizable hole in the middle of the river, exchanged a knowing look, and charged through—me on the 86, Dev on the 96. To our surprise, we both punched through cleanly.

Seconds later, we turned to see Jess follow us on the old 86—and sure enough, she stalled, met the board, and then met the water. This moment perfectly illustrated how much of a difference the pointed nose makes in water displacement and performance.

Party in the Front and Back: The Rocker Upgrade

That’s right—added rocker. It’s a good thing Hala didn’t go with a yellow colour scheme, or these boards might have been mistaken for bananas bobbing down the river. Or did they miss a trick?

Interestingly, when placed side by side, the difference in rocker doesn’t look huge.

So what I think Hala have done is rather than simply increasing the nose and tail height, they have extended the length of which the rocker runs into the centre of the board. This subtle change significantly impacts performance.

Front Rocker:

Helps the board glide over features.
The rocker starts closer to the centre, allowing the edges to catch sooner for tighter, more stable carving.

Tail Rocker: Increased Feedback

The added tail rocker on the New 86 provides instant feedback while surfing for a more dynamic ride.
Even slight weight shifts produce an immediate response, making it more dynamic but also requiring more control. Once dialled in, it opens up tons of play opportunities on features.
On the 96, the response time is also quicker, though slightly less pronounced than on the 86.

Accessories & Features

Stomp Box 2.0 with the new stiffer purple fin, designed for added durability and performance. However, in the UK’s shallower waters, the increased stiffness may mean it's more likely to catch on rocks, so careful line choice is key.
Upgraded grab handles at the front and rear—now soft fabric with padding for easier carrying.

Summary & Final Thoughts

The 2025 Hala Atcha 86 and 96 bring significant upgrades to the white water SUP world, with a pointed nose for better hole-punching, extended rocker for smoother glide and carving, and enhanced responsiveness—especially in the tail. The new design is visually striking, making it a photographer’s dream.

Takeaways

Biggest improvement: The pointed nose significantly enhances performance in big white water.
Rocker redesign: A longer, more gradual rocker improves both stability and responsiveness.
Durability considerations: The stiffer fin is great for control but may be more prone to damage in shallow rivers.
Overall verdict: These boards deliver an exciting and refined experience for both technical paddlers and those looking for a fun, responsive ride.

With these updates, the 2025 Hala Atcha lineup takes an already solid board to the next level. It’s clear that Hala has put careful thought into performance, design, and usability, making these boards a fantastic option for white water SUP enthusiasts.

Final Thanks

I want to give a massive thank you to Hala and Jim Miller for giving me the opportunity to be the first to paddle these boards—the only final production boards in the world at the time of writing. It’s an honour!

A huge shoutout to the Hala team for designing such an incredible board. I’m looking forward to meeting Colleen and the rest of the crew when they visit Scotland later this year.

Also a huge thanks to Nookie for your continued support and keeping me dry during all my dips in the water whilst testing the board.

Finaly, thanks to my river crew—Devan Crawford, Sam Garthwait, Jess Phillips, and Niamh Lee—for making the last three weeks an absolute blast. I can’t wait to spend the rest of the year paddling one of these boards!

As promised here are some shots of what these boards are truly capable of…