Hala Atcha 86-R
Preorder estimated to ship March 15, 2027. Orders placed directly with Hala Gear through this page are preorders.
Prefer to order locally? Contact your local Hala dealer to arrange a special order. Dealer availability may begin as early as March 15, 2027; confirm timing with your dealer. Find your local Hala dealer on our retailer map.
Designed with Rama. A short board with a steady feel. The Atcha 86-R is a limited-edition whitewater SUP Hala developed with whitewater rider Kazunori "Rama" Hirama. The R is for Rama. This 8'6" companion to the 96-R brings his Japanese whitewater SUP style into a compact platform: a wider surf-style stance and deliberate front-to-back weight shifts to steer.
In testing, the 86-R felt more stable and approachable in straightforward rapids than riders expected from a board this short. Its distinct shape and rocker profile encourage deliberate footwork, while an extended deck pad gives you room to widen your stance and move forward and back as you work your line.
Inspired by Japanese freestyle riders, the wider tail, 12 cm (4.7") wider than the Atcha 86's at 1 ft from the tail (69 cm vs 57 cm), creates a platform for stability and experimentation. Matching 1.5" raised stomp pads at the nose and tail and a raised foot index at the tail give your feet clear placement cues. The tail stomp pad gives you a place to plant your back foot as you shift your weight, pivot and try new moves, while the full-length deck pad lets you move freely between stances.
Expect the rails to ask more of you. With the wider tail, water does not release off the back of the board the way it does on the Atcha 86, so the 86-R does not carve from a neutral stance. To engage a rail you drive it deliberately: weight back to free the nose, then press through the inside foot. The payoff is a more secure platform in pushy water and more room to experiment; the trade is that passive edging gets a slower response than on the Atcha 86.
The 86-R is for paddlers who want short-board size with a steadier feel through read-and-run rapids. It felt less quick during technical maneuvers than the standard Atcha 86, which remains the choice for riders who prioritize rapid responses and playful technical moves. Choose the R for its distinct riding style and room to move. For more of Rama's river riding, see his river SUP Instagram.
Measures 8'6" × 34" × 6". Recommended inflation pressure: 15 to 18 PSI, 20 PSI max. Includes a pump, bag, fins and repair kit. Paddle sold separately.
Preorder from Hala Gear, estimated to ship March 15, 2027. Or contact your local Hala dealer for a special order, available as early as March 15, 2027. Preorder policy
🏄 Fin System & Upgrade Options
Center Fin: StompBox 2.5 System
The Atcha 86-R uses Hala's patented StompBox 2.5 fin box. Spring pressure holds the fin at full depth. It deflects on rock contact and snaps back before your next stroke.
| Fin | Size | Status | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| StompBox 2.5 with 9" SpringFin | 9" | Included | Steady tracking through read-and-run rapids: all-around river paddling |
| Tracking StompFin | 9" | Sold separately | Flatwater, fishing, expedition: improved tracking anywhere, fully retracts |
| 4.5" StompFin | 4.5" | Sold separately | Tracking without depth: simple and quick side to side |
▶ See the StompBox 2.5 in action
Side-Bite Fins: Click System
Two 4.5" gummy click fins included. Swap without tools. Grub screws lock them in for aggressive whitewater.
| Fin | Size | Status | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gummy Click Fin | 4.5" | Included ×2 | All-around grip and flex |
| Hard Click Fin | 4.5" | Sold separately | Carving, max lateral drive |
| Gummy Click Fin | 2" | Sold separately | Shallow, rocky river lines |
| Low-Pro Click Fin | 1.5" | Sold separately | Very shallow technical corridors |
| Pocket Click Fin | ~1" | Sold separately | Shallowest runnable lines |
▶ How to install your Click Fins
📐 Full Specs & What's Included
Atcha 86-R Specifications
| Length | 8'6" |
|---|---|
| Board weight | 25 lbs |
| Rider capacity | 250 lbs |
| Volume | 266 L |
| Width | 34" |
| Tail width (1 ft from tail) | 69 cm (27.2"), 12 cm (4.7") wider than the Atcha 86 |
| Thickness | 6" |
| Max PSI | 20 PSI |
| Recommended inflation pressure | 15 to 18 PSI |
Board features
- Developed with Kazunori "Rama" Hirama
- Full-length Diamond Groove 4mm EVA deck pad
- Tail 12 cm (4.7") wider than the Atcha 86 (69 cm vs 57 cm, measured 1 ft from the tail), inspired by Japanese freestyle riders, for stability and experimentation
- Matching 1.5" raised stomp pads at the nose and tail, plus a raised foot index at the tail, for clear foot placement cues during deliberate weight shifts
- Rocker-stiffening stringer
- Easy-carry soft nose and tail handles, two grab handles and padded step-flat center handle
- Shock cord quick stash, soft centralized rigging points and tail D-ring
- Removable StompBox 2.5 retractable fin system
- 9" center retractable StompFin and two removable 4.5" gummy side-bite ClickFins
- 5-year board warranty
What's Included
- Hala Atcha 86-R inflatable SUP
- Hand pump
- Carry bag
- 9" center retractable StompFin
- Two removable 4.5" gummy side-bite ClickFins
- Fin key
- Repair kit
A paddle is not included and is sold separately.
⚖️ Compare with the Standard Atcha 86
The 86-R is a specialty board, not a replacement. Here is how it rides next to the standard Atcha 86.
| Atcha 86 | Atcha 86-R | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Hala's short freestyle river surfer | Developed with Kazunori "Rama" Hirama |
| Feel | Nimble, quick edge to edge | More stable and approachable in straightforward rapids |
| Technical moves | Quicker | Less quick, more deliberate |
| Tail | 57 cm (22.4") wide 1 ft from the tail | 69 cm (27.2") wide 1 ft from the tail, 12 cm (4.7") wider, with matching raised stomp pads at the nose and tail and a raised foot index |
| Best for | River surfing, technical play | Short-board paddlers who want a steadier platform and a wide-stance style |
| Availability | Core lineup | Limited production run |
Want the quickest edge-to-edge response for freestyle and surf moves? See the standard Atcha 86 →
⚖️ Compare All Hala Boards
Not sure which Hala board is right for you? Here's the full lineup side-by-side.
| Series | Board | Size | Character | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charge | Atcha 86 | 8'6" × 34" | Freestyle / nimble | River surfing, technical moves |
| Charge | Atcha 96 | 9'6" × 36" | Dynamic / stable | Big water, high flows, first river board |
| Charge (Limited) | Atcha 96-R | 9'6" × 36" | Line-holding / footwork-driven | Weight-shift steering, ferries, fast downriver lines |
| Charge (Limited) | Atcha 86-R ◄ you're here | 8'6" × 34" | Steady / approachable | Short-board control in straightforward rapids |
| Adventure | Radito | 10' × 34" | Agile / expedition | River + lake crossover, multi-day floats |
| Adventure | Rado | 10'10" × 35" | Steady / expedition | Multi-day trips, SUP fishing, heavy loads |
| Cruise | Straight Up | 10' × 33" | Versatile / fun | Flatwater, light rivers, all-around paddling |
| Cruise | Hoss | 10'10" × 35" | Stable / steady | Beginners, yoga, fishing, max stability |
Choose options
Game Changing Technology
StompBox
Hala's patented StompBox 2.5 holds your center fin at full depth with spring pressure. When it hits a rock, it deflects and pops back into place, so you keep tracking without stopping to reset. The StompBox removes easily for transport, storage and repair.
Built to last
5-year warranty
The Atcha 86-R is backed by Hala's 5-year board warranty.
Designed with Rama
Built around a riding style
A few centimeters of rocker change how a board rides. For the 86-R, Hala and Rama reshaped the rocker and tail to trade some of the standard 86's quickness for a steadier ride in straightforward rapids.
That gives you more time to read the water and set your stance. It isn't meant to replace the standard Atcha 86. It rewards a different way of paddling.
Board highlights
Designed With Rama
The 8'6" companion to the 96-R, developed with whitewater rider Kazunori "Rama" Hirama around the wide-stance, weight-shift style of Japanese whitewater SUP.
Steady Short Board
More stable and approachable in straightforward rapids than you might expect from an 8'6".
Deliberate Handling
Less quick than the standard 86 in technical moves, so it rewards committed, deliberate turns.
Wider Tail
A tail 12 cm (4.7") wider than the Atcha 86's, measured 1 ft from the tail, with a raised stomp pad and a raised foot index gives you a stable platform to plant your back foot and pivot.
Room to Move
Full-length deck pad with raised nose and tail stomp pads for clear foot placement as you shift your stance.
StompBox 2.5
Patented retractable center fin springs back on rock contact, plus two 4.5" gummy side-bite click fins.
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 |
| Charge | Atcha 86-R | 8'6" × 34" | Steady / deliberate footwork | Limited run, wider tail, straightforward rapids with deliberate weight shifts |
| Charge | Atcha 96-R | 9'6" × 36" | Holds a line / pivots on command | Limited run, wider tail, a distinct front-to-back footwork style |
| Adventure | Radito | 10'0" × 34" | Agile / nimble | Rivers, lakes, SUP fishing, lighter paddlers, multi-day floats |
| Adventure | Rado | 10'10" × 35" | Steady / stable | Multi-day trips, SUP fishing, heavy gear loads |
| Cruise | Straight Up | 10'0" × 33" | Versatile / nimble | Flatwater, light rivers, all-around paddling |
| Cruise | Hoss | 10'10" × 35" | Stable / steady | Beginners, yoga, fishing, widest most stable platform |
Common questions
Is the Atcha 86-R or Atcha 86 better for me?
The Atcha 86-R is for paddlers who want short-board size with a steadier feel through read-and-run rapids. Hala developed it with whitewater rider Kazunori "Rama" Hirama, and in testing it felt more stable and approachable in straightforward rapids than riders expected from a board this short. Its tail is 12 cm (4.7 inches) wider than the Atcha 86's at 1 ft from the tail (69 cm vs 57 cm). The standard Atcha 86 remains the choice for riders who prioritize rapid responses and playful technical moves.
What fins come with the Atcha 86-R?
The Atcha 86-R ships with Hala's patented StompBox 2.5 retractable fin system: a 9-inch center retractable StompFin and two removable 4.5-inch gummy side-bite ClickFins. Optional upgrades include the 9-inch Tracking StompFin, the 4.5-inch StompFin, and 4.5-inch Hard, 2-inch Gummy, Low-Pro 1.5-inch and Pocket side-bite fins.
When does the Atcha 86-R ship?
The Atcha 86-R is a limited-edition board. Orders placed directly with Hala Gear are preorders estimated to ship March 15, 2027. To order locally, contact your local Hala dealer to arrange a special order; dealer availability may begin as early as March 15, 2027.
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