Hala Atcha 96

This is not my first Atcha 9'6". I've been riding the past model for years, the one with the 4.5" fin, so I'm not new to Hala boards. But I'm new to this revised model, and it truly changes the game. It's a totally different board.

The rocker on this one lets it swallow waves and holes in a way my old board would never have been able to do. It felt like cheating riding it. The stability, and the fact that I no longer need fixed side fins, that's the biggest thing for me. The old 4.5" fin didn't give me enough traction on its own, so I had to add fixed fins on the sides, and those little ones were the ones catching rocks. Now with the 9" retractable fin, I can ride anywhere, any slope, any drop, without fear of being stuck.

It was truly a pleasure. I feel like I wanna paddle every day. This thing is a blessing.

I have been a Hala athlete since 2015, and I wanted to share my enthusiasm for the new board design.
While my previous Hala Atcha featured extra rocker that performed perfectly in heavy whitewater, this new design’s more pointed nose is even better for slicing through large waves. It provides an ideal balance of stability, durability, and responsiveness. I have been sharing the board with fellow paddlers, and everyone who has tested it has gone on to purchase one for themselves.
With winter snow accumulation in Colorado at record lows, the Stompbox will be essential for extending the upcoming season. This patented system allows the board to navigate very shallow water effectively, making it an exceptional tool for the conditions ahead.

The 2025 Atcha is a must have for whitewater SUP enthusiasts! The Hala team updated the rocker, enhanced the shape of the nose, and refreshed the color scheme. The updated rocker accelerates the paddler in the waves providing a feeling of charging through the river. The enhanced nose shape breaks through the waves on the river so the paddler is not thrown forward. The new color scheme looks sharp on the river. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your whitewater board, or add another board to your quiver, the 2025 Atcha is the cat’s meow!

Wow - honestly just wow. The changes made to this year's line up are insane!
Better stability, better tracking, more rocker, more punch and less board stall in waves/holes. Lovely colour scheme - it's like falling in love with sup all over again 🥰

I’m in love with this board! I bought it last year and have been able to spend a full season with it. This thing is like a Ferrari on the water compared to other boards I’ve tried. It turns on a dime and maneuvers like a champ. Initially I found my balance on it to be a little shaky because it handles so differently, but once I got some time in with it, there’s absolutely no turning back! I mainly use it on the Boise River which has some shallow parts… on my previous board with a fixed fin, I would be puckering going through rapids or little drops waiting for my fin to hit and send me Supermanning over the front. The Stomp Box and retractable fin system is an absolute game-changer! I have so much more confidence to hit bigger waves and navigate shallower sections, it’s truly unbelievable how much a difference this thing has made on my paddleboarding experience! Kudos Hala, so glad I pulled the trigger and I can’t wait for more years of adventuring with my Hala Atcha! Pic attached shows just how confident I am on this thing now.. we had a recent Witches in the Water event and I wore a fully inflatable costume with zero issues! ‘Nuff said… if you are trying to improve your skill or challenge yourself on more complex water features, this the board you want!

I learned and grew as a whitewater paddler on the Atcha 9’6. The retractable fin was a game changer from my first board. It provided me with stability and the confidence to keep pushing myself higher. As I have grown I have started playing with the 7’11 as well, but the 9’6 is still my go to board for big water, safety boating and racing.

I am loving my Hala Atcha! The retractable fin makes running the river at lower flows or in muddy water a little more fun as I don’t have to worry that every fin tap on a rock is going to throw me. Fills my freetime with adventure!

The only board I trust on Class V whitewater. It'll make you look like a pro even as a beginner!

The Atcha 96 is my favorite for whitewater SUP river trips! Nothing can compare to the stability and agility. I feel so much more confident in my river skills on this board than the shorter 86 (which I love for surfing at park & plays, and that board is pushing me to get better and better!) This is my second 96 - the new removable stomp box is awesome and I also like all of the updates like extra handles and d-rings. Bonus - this size sup can actually fit diagonally inside an elevator at hotels!

The delivery was on time, which was very important in this case, so that the board could take the flight back to Germany. My first trip was on a small river called Zorge in the Harz Mountains/Germany. It had a lot of flat sections which were no problem with the stompbox. So far I am very satisfied.

Loving the new board, especially set up with the 4" fin on our shallow drop and pool southeastern rivers!

Awesome

The atcha 9 6 has been by go to board for most rivers. It is what I learned on and what I took on the Grand Canyon. It is stable and reliable. The newly designed 9 6 is extremely maneuverable, surfs even better than the old style and punches through waves seamlessly. A must have board! 10/10 recommend. The quality is insane and the customer service is stellar.

If you need to bust through rapids, there’s no rapid the Atcha can’t bust through. It’s a master rapid buster. Wam, bam, thank you Hala! Five stars.

This board brings a new dynamic to whitewater! One of the hardest decisions I have to make before heading to the river is "which board shall I ride today?" This is a mix between the old 8'6 and 9'6 with playful maneuvering and rapid crushing fun!

The new design is SICK!!! The rocker is Ridonculous!!! Way more than any other River SUP I’ve seen. Super stable and incredibly playful. Carves smoothly through eddy lines like a hot knife through butter. Fits on waves that previous 96s did not and makes paddling through big waves effortless. If you’re thinking of upgrading you should!

The new design on the Atcha’s is awesome! Coming from being on a Rivershred the last 4 seasons, this new Hala is lighter, more responsive and more stable as you get near the tail. Looking forward to many more river miles on this craft…Thanks Hala!

Down river beast!
Stable, responsive, and way too much fun. I'm a relative novice to SUP. This board makes me look and feel like a pro. I'm a raft guide and kayaker, this is my new favorite river craft!
Thanks Hala, keep it up; the stompbox is a game changer!

I'm a whitewater professional, and on the river all year. I love my Hala Atcha because it extends my season for fun on the river! Thanks Hala for making a great product. Scott Welch owner of Kaweah Whitewater Adventures

Can't say enough good things about the rocker. 10 /10!

We love this board so much that we have 2! We use it on the river and for a lazy float on the lake. The stomp box is great when the river is shallow and eases initial set up. We love the look of it too!

This board is more a reflection of the great customer service and support that Hala has. I had issues with the deck padding in my previous board and after a couple of conversations, the great folks at Hala decided to just warranty it so they could get it back and do some analysis to prevent future issues like this. Live the new board, feels a bit lighter and more nimble when freestyling. Always my down river go to!

I bought my first Hala board in 2016 and decided I needed another because I loved it so much. Now I have an extra for friends. The quality of this board is top notch, and the Stomp Box is unmatched to any other board on the market. I take mine on lazy rivers, rushing rapids and even pack it up to hike to remote alpine lakes that have never been paddled before. Everyone I paddle with always wants one after they try mine out. Look no further than the Hala Atcha

Absolutely love this board! The retractable fin is amazing and I don’t want to be on a river without it again! The 9’6” Atcha has is unmatched!