Is the Atcha 86 or Atcha 96 better for me?

The Atcha 86 (8'6 x 34 inches) is the more agile, playful choice for experienced river paddlers who want to surf waves and throw technical moves. The Atcha 96 (9'6 x 36 inches) is larger with more volume, better for big water, high flows, and paddlers who want maximum stability. If playfulness is the priority, choose the 86. If stability and volume matter most, choose the 96.

What fins are compatible with the Atcha 86?

The Atcha 86 uses Hala's patented StompBox 2.5 retractable fin system. Center fins: 4.5-inch StompFin for technical rivers, shallow water, and a playful feel; or 9-inch StompFin for deeper water and stronger tracking. Optional side-bite click fins: 4.5-inch Hard, Low-Pro 1.5-inch, or Pocket. All fins spring back automatically on rock contact.

What skill level and water conditions is the Atcha 86 designed for?

The Atcha 86 is a Class II-IV technical whitewater board built for intermediate and advanced river SUP paddlers who prioritize surfing waves, carving ferries, and technical maneuvers. Its shorter length and full-board rocker make it highly maneuverable on moving water. It is best suited to paddlers already comfortable on rivers.

Hala Atcha 8'6 inflatable paddle board full kit in teal, and dark blue. Includes the board, travel bag, hand pump, StompBox retractable fin system, repair kit, and additional fins for versatile river surfing and whitewater performance.

Top-down view of the Hala Atcha 8'6 inflatable paddle board in teal, and dark blue. Featuring a textured deck pad, Hala and Atcha branding.

Bottom view of the Hala Atcha 8'6 inflatable paddle board, featuring purple Hala and yellow Atcha branding. Equipped with the Stompbox 2.5 retractable fin system and two side bite river fins.

Hala StompBox 2.5 kit installed on the Hala Atcha 8'6 inflatable paddleboard, featuring an automatic retractable fin system for superior performance in shallow and rocky waters.

Hala 4.5-inch green Gummy Side Bite fins, designed for added stability and control in whitewater or surf conditions.

Exploded view of the Hala StompBox 2.5 fin system, showing individual components including the purple retractable fin, spring mechanism, screws, and fin box housing.

White Hala Gear dual-action hand pump with black handles and hose, used for inflating stand-up paddleboards.

Hala travel bag in gray and blue with wheels and backpack straps, designed for easy transportation of a paddle board.

Hala Gear

Hala Atcha 86

Name: Hala Atcha 86
Brand: Hala Gear
SKU: HB25-AT86
Price: 1399.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$1,399.00

(4.9)

The River Party Machine. The Atcha 86's 8'6" × 34" shape is built for paddlers who want to surf every feature and throw technical moves on Class II–IV rivers. Nimbler than the Atcha 96, with the same patented StompBox 2.5 retractable fin system and full-board rocker that has made the Atcha series the standard for inflatable whitewater SUPs.

The 2025 version raises the bar: an updated rocker profile makes it easier to park on a wave and stay there, a redesigned pointed nose climbs over river features instead of slamming into them, and refined fin placement improves both speed and surfability. Stable up to 250 lbs, built to reward aggressive paddling at any weight.

Hala's patented StompBox 2.5 retractable fin stays spring-loaded at full depth — zero bounce, zero catching on rocks. It deflects automatically and springs back before your next stroke, giving you locked-in drive through technical lines and real surf hold on a wave. Two removable 4.5" gummy side-bite click fins are included. Fin options and board comparisons are below.

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Features

Double-layered side walls
PVC stringer for increased rigidity
Welded seams
StompBox 2.5 retractable center fin
4.5" gummy side-bite fins
Hand pump
Rolling bag
Repair kit

StompBox Center Fin

The Hala Gear StompBox 2.5 provides excellent tracking and safety on the river. Float right over any obstacle, knowing that your center fin won't hold you up. With a newly designed spring fin system, the StompBox 2.5 will retract and pop the fin back into place quicker than ever for maximum tracking performance. The StompBox can be easily removed for repair or transport.

Sidebite Click Fins

Curate your boards performance with sidebite fins. You can run your SUP with or without the included 4.5" side fins, or explore several other options of size and material!

Hala Atcha 86 board schematic showing top and bottom view layout of the 8'6 x 34 inch inflatable SUP

Hala Atcha 86 board dimensions: 8'6 length, 34 inch width

Video

Game Changing Technology

StompBox

The Hala Gear Stompbox 2.5 - unmatched tracking and safety on the river. Float over any obstacle knowing that your center fin won't catch. The newly improved spring fin system pops your center fin back into place quicker than ever for maximum tracking performance. The Stompbox can be easily removed for transport, storage and repair.

Industry leading quality + construction

5-year warranty

Hala Gear offers an industry-leading 5-year warranty on every SUP. We use quality materials and a unique construction process to create top-of-the-line boards that are built to last.

Every seam is double-glued and mechanically welded to guarantee durability for decades to come. No matter how many times you roll your board, how you store it, or where you paddle, your SUP will withstand any adventure.

Attention to every detail

It's in our DNA

You'd be amazed how much of a difference centimeters will make when adjusting SUP rocker. In 2025, Hala Gear SUP is making high-performance and purpose-built boards that are better than anything we've ever put out there.

Each board excels at its intended
purpose, and each small design improvement adds up to Hala raising the bar and resetting the standard in whitewater performance and inflatable
board design.

New Atcha 86 features for 2025: Pointed Nose climbs over river piles, Full-Board Rocker improves surfability without losing speed, Padded Grab Handles on nose and tail, Improved Fin Placement reoptimized for better drive and surf

2025 highlights

StompBox 2.5

Patented retractable fin springs back on rock contact automatically — no catching, no stopping.

Double-Wall Construction

Glued and welded side walls for maximum rigidity and long-term durability on demanding whitewater.

PVC Stringer

Adds torsional stiffness for quick edge-to-edge response when surfing river waves.

Welded Seams

Every seam is double-glued and mechanically welded — backed by an industry-leading 5-year warranty.

Surf-Optimized Rocker

Shorter length and full-board rocker built for Class II–IV surfing, ferrying, and technical river moves.

4.5" Gummy Side Fins

Included side-bite click fins for lateral hold and sharper carving performance on river features.

Fin compatibility

StompBox 2.5 — Center Fins

9" Spring StompFin (Included)Ships with every StompBox 2.5 board. Springs back automatically on rock contact — no need to pull it manually. All-around river fin for Class II–IV.
9" Tracking StompFin (Optional upgrade)More downriver drive and straight-line tracking in deeper water. Best for big-volume rivers and expedition runs.
4.5" StompFin (Optional upgrade)Shallow sections, technical rocky lines, and a surfy, playful feel. Also springs back on contact.

Side-Bite Click Fins

4.5" Gummy (Included)Ships with every StompBox board. Soft compound for grip without catching on rocks.
4.5" Hard (Optional)Firmer side bite for maximum carving grip, lateral stability, and edge hold on moving water.
2" Gummy (Optional)Low-profile gummy for shallow, rocky lines where you want side hold without the snag risk.
Low-Pro 1.5" (Optional)Minimal drag profile for very shallow sections and tight rocky corridors.
Pocket (Optional)Ultra-low profile for the shallowest approaches and the most technical rocky lines.

Click fins seat and hold without tools — just push to click. Grub screws and a surf key are included and recommended: a hard strike from behind the board can trigger the click-release mechanism (that is how you remove them), so tightening the grub screws prevents accidental release in aggressive water.

Center Fin Quick Comparison

Fin	Status	Water	Best for
9" Spring StompFin	Included	Medium–deep	All-around Class II–IV river paddling
9" Tracking StompFin	Optional	Deep	Expedition runs, flatwater, big-volume rivers
4.5" StompFin	Optional	Shallow	Rock gardens, technical lines, surfy feel

Side-Bite Click Fin Quick Comparison

Fin	Status	Depth	Best for
4.5" Gummy	Included	Full (4.5")	All-around — grip without rock snag risk
4.5" Hard	Optional	Full (4.5")	Carving, surfing, maximum lateral drive
2" Gummy	Optional	Low (2")	Shallow rocky lines — side hold without snagging
Low-Pro 1.5"	Optional	Very low (1.5")	Vergy shallow, tight rocky corridors
Pocket	Optional	Ultra-low (~1")	Shallowest approaches, technical rocky lines

All side-bite fins use the same click-in box. Grub screws and surf key included with board — use them on rivers to prevent accidental release.

Hala SUP board comparison chart: Charge series Atcha 86 (8'6 x 34 inch, freestyle, more nimble) vs Atcha 96 (9'6 x 36 inch, dynamic, more stable). Expedition series Radito (10 ft x 34 inch, agile, more nimble) vs Rado (10'10 x 35 inch, steady, more stable). Cruise series Straight Up (10 ft x 33 inch, versatile, more nimble) vs Hoss (10'10 x 35 inch, stable, more stable).

Compare all Hala SUP models

Series	Board	Size	Character	Best for
Charge	Atcha 86	8'6" × 34"	Freestyle / nimble	River surfing, technical moves, lighter paddlers
Charge	Atcha 96	9'6" × 36"	Dynamic / stable	Big water, high flows, heavier paddlers
Expedition	Radito	10'0" × 34"	Agile / nimble	Rivers, lakes, lighter paddlers, responsive touring
Expedition	Rado	10'10" × 35"	Steady / stable	Multi-day trips, heavy gear loads, larger paddlers
Cruise	Straight Up	10'0" × 33"	Versatile / nimble	All-around use, flatwater, light rivers, yoga, fishing
Cruise	Hoss	10'10" × 35"	Stable / steady	Beginners, yoga, fishing, widest most stable platform

Best whitewater board on the market

The new design of the atcha 8 6 is amazing. It is extremely maneuverable, super fun catching eddies and great for surfing. The quality of this board is worth every penny and the stomp box technology makes padding shallow rivers care-free. Nice work Hala!

Awesome feedback, Claire. Thank you!

Aggressive, but stable

Hala makes incredible boards and treated me very well when I had to replace my last board after six awesome years. My new board is the shorter option and is definitely more aggressive but still super stable. I took it out to the lake to try it out and managed to stay on top in the wind, along with three very energetic dogs. Can't wait to try surfing it on the river.

Hi there! Thank you so much for leaving a review for the Atcha 86. We think you'll continue to be amazed by how the 86 stikes the perfect balance between agression and stability in various water. Surf's up!

Love the 2025 model

I like a board that moves easily and the new 86 maneuvers beautifully. It’s incredibly responsive to subtle changes in the water and my paddling technique. It’s got all the agility and playfulness that I love about my 711 with more speed. It cuts cleanly through wave trains and eddy lines. It’s easier to sink the tail and play around in ways I haven’t been able to on other boards. All around, it’s a fun ride for sure. The new Atchas also look great on the water. I love the high contrast. But does anyone paddle a Hala because it’s pretty? Performance matters most and the new Atchas deliver. I can’t wait to see all the fancy things other paddlers can do on the new models.

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Blog posts

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The Best Inflatable Whitewater SUP Boards: A Guide From the People Who Built the Category

We've been building inflatable whitewater SUPs since 2011 - longer than any other brand in the sport. The dimensions we settled on for the first Atcha - 9'6" long and 36" wide - became the template...