Hala Atcha 96
The Original Inflatable Whitewater SUP. The Atcha 96 has been the benchmark since 2013 - the board whose 9'6" x 36" dimensions became the industry template that every competitor eventually adopted. Over 50 prototypes went into proving that shape. The StompBox retractable fin system, patented by Hala in 2015, solved the sport's central problem: fins that catch rocks. Independent reviewers now call it "quite possibly the pinnacle of design for intense whitewater paddling" (Inflatable Boarder, 2025).
The 2025 Atcha 96 is the sharpest version yet. A refined rocker profile rides high over wave trains and holes, giving you maximum control in the gnarliest conditions. When you can't go over it, the redesigned pointed nose punches cleanly through rather than slamming into steep wave faces. Full-board rocker balances surfability and speed without compromise.
Other retractable fins rely on gravity — in current, that means the fin bounces and shudders instead of holds, costing you tracking and control. The StompBox is different: active downward spring pressure keeps the fin locked at full depth at all times, deflecting off rocks automatically and springing back instantly. Zero wobble, zero bounce — consistent drive for speed, the ability to set and hold your ferry angle across fast current, and locked-in surf hold when you're threading a wave. Two removable side fins add surf-style directional control. Explore our full SUP fin selection to dial in your setup.
Whether you're charging rapids, carving waves, or pushing your limits, the Atcha 96 is built to handle it all. Want something longer for river expeditions? Check out the Rado. Looking for the smaller, shorter Atcha? See the Atcha 86. Browse all whitewater SUPs.
Charge Series: Atcha 96 or Atcha 86?
Both are Technical Whitewater boards for Class II-IV rivers with Hala's patented StompBox 2.5 retractable fin. The Atcha 96 is the larger, more stable board: 9'6" long and 36" wide, with more volume for big water, high flows, and heavier paddlers. The Atcha 86 is shorter (8'6" x 34"), lighter, and more playful, built for surfy river days and technical moves.
| Atcha 96 | Atcha 86 | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 9'6" | 8'6" |
| Width | 36" | 34" |
| Rocker | Full-board rocker | Full-board rocker |
| Style | Dynamic / More Stable | Freestyle / More Nimble |
| Series | Charge / Technical Whitewater | Charge / Technical Whitewater |
| Fin system | StompBox 2.5 | StompBox 2.5 |
Choose the Atcha 96 for big water, high flows, or when you want maximum stability and volume. Choose the Atcha 86 when surfing waves and throwing technical moves is the priority.
Compatible Fins for the Atcha 96
The Atcha 96 runs Hala's patented StompBox 2.5 center fin system. The spring holds the fin locked at full depth with zero wobble, deflects automatically on rock contact, and springs back before your next stroke.
Center Fins -- StompBox 2.5:
- 9" Spring StompFin (Included) -- Ships with every Atcha 96. The standard all-around river fin for Class II-IV. Springs back automatically on rock contact.
- 9" Tracking StompFin (Optional upgrade) -- More downriver drive and straight-line tracking for deeper water, 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. Shop 2" Gummy.
- 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 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 rear-board strike can trigger the click-release mechanism (that is how you remove them), so tightening the grub screws prevents accidental release in aggressive water.
Features
- Double-layered, glued + welded 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
Sidebite Click Fins
Choose options
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.
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
Full-length stringer adds torsional stiffness for responsive performance on technical Class II–IV rivers.
Welded Seams
Every seam is double-glued and mechanically welded — backed by an industry-leading 5-year warranty.
Full-Board Rocker
Purpose-built for Class II–IV whitewater — the nose lifts over waves and drops, not into them.
4.5" Gummy Side Fins
Included side-bite click fins add lateral hold and carving performance for river surfing.
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 |
River Boards
Accessories, Fins, Apparel, and Swag
Blog posts
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...
Read more
How to Size a SUP Paddle: The Complete Modern Guide
Getting your SUP paddle length right changes everything — your efficiency, your shoulder health, and how much fun you have on the water. Here's the modern take on sizing, including why whitewater a...
Read more
Best Inflatable SUP Boards: The Complete Buyer's Guide
Finding the best inflatable SUP doesn't have to be complicated. This guide breaks down everything you need to know — from construction quality and fin systems to board types and our top picks for e...
Read more