Starboard Katana 14'0 x 20.5" Race Paddleboard

The Starboard Katana 14'0 x 20.5" is a composite race paddle board and the signature board of Shuri Araki, a multiple ISA and ICF world champion, designed with his father and coach Takuji Araki. It's built around Shuri's high-cadence paddling style: a short, quick, rhythmic stroke. Starboard describes the idea as racing through precision, efficiency and rhythm, with a fast, effortless glide inspired by the speed and sharpness of a katana sword. It comes in one size, 14'0 x 20.5", in Starboard's lightest CRS D2 construction, weighing 9.8kg.

Pre-order only. Starboard is taking pre-orders for the 2027 Katana. Order now to reserve yours, and we'll confirm the expected delivery date when we take your order.

Features and benefits

• High-cadence race design: shaped around Shuri Araki's high-cadence technique for efficiency at elite level.
• World-champion proven: Shuri Araki has raced it to multiple ISA and ICF world titles.
• Narrow Box Tail™: a tail shape patented by Takuji and Shuri Araki. It lifts the board and drives it forward, so you can pump it efficiently while it still tracks straight.
• Rearward standing position: the standing area sits further back to trim the board correctly and make full use of the Box Tail, helping turn your stroke into forward drive.
• Extreme Straight Hard Tail Rail Edges™: also patented by the Arakis. Sharp, straight edges at the tail work like small extra side fins, improving tracking and relying less on the main fin, while still letting you turn sharply at speed with good pump lift and no side-to-side sway.
• Sharp piercing nose: inspired by the katana sword, the fine nose cuts through flat water and chop, holding speed and control at a high stroke rate.
• Parallel speed outline: a parallel middle section adds stability and glide, while the narrow nose and tail add speed and paddling efficiency.
• Progressive vee tail: helps the board roll from rail to rail for quicker buoy turns and changes of direction when surfing or downwinding.
• Refined rocker: slightly less nose and tail rocker than the All Star, combined with extra vee, so it keeps its glide and still manoeuvres well.
• Dugout: the dropped standing area lowers your centre of gravity for more stability and control in choppy open water.
• Dual side drainage holes: clear water off the deck quickly so you recover fast in technical and choppy races.
• Double kick tail: a two-piece tail pad. Use the front pad for normal paddling, and step onto the rear pad when you want the tail to bite into the water, for example when surfing or in strong wind and chop.
• Multiple handle positions: screw-in modular handles let you set the carry position exactly where you want it.
• Multi-stage vee bottom: a rounded vee in the nose helps the board glide onto bumps, a vee middle section with a slight double concave improves tracking and stability, and the progressive tail vee lets it roll rail to rail for responsive buoy turns.

Construction and technology

• Carbon Reflex Sandwich D2 (CRS D2): Starboard's lightest full-carbon race construction so far, and its premium race build. Ultra-light 100g biaxial carbon gives a very high strength-to-weight ratio, extra carbon on the rails and bottom tunes the flex so the board springs forward with each stroke, and a UD 80 carbon rail band adds stiffness so more of your power reaches the water. The nose and tail are reinforced against knocks when drafting and racing, sharp edges get lightweight carbon protection, and a full PVC standing area resists heel dents. D2 is a new dual-density core that reorganises the inside of the board to save weight while keeping a strong, impact-resistant outer shell, with extra strength placed where race loads are highest.
• US fin box, 10": with a Flash Plus prepreg carbon fin.
• Warranty: Starboard hard boards carry a 1-year warranty for the original buyer, with proof of purchase from an authorised dealer.

Specifications

• Size: 14'0 x 20.5" x 11"
• Volume: 290L
• Tail width: 11.9"
• Rider weight: up to 75kg
• Weight: 9.8kg (+/- 5%)
• Construction: Carbon Reflex Sandwich D2

What's in the box

• Starboard Katana 14'0 x 20.5" board
• Board sock
• Flash Plus prepreg carbon fin with fixing screw, brass washer and 8mm grub screw
• 2 x race handles with fixing screws and washers
• Air valve and Tiki key
• Travel bag (Board Sock and Travel Bag option only)

Every board comes with a Starboard board sock. Choose the Board Sock and Travel Bag option if you also want Starboard's travel bag.

Our take

The Katana is a specialist board for light, experienced racers who paddle with a fast, short stroke and want a very light, efficient race board. If you're newer to racing, heavier than 75kg or want a more forgiving ride, the Tsurugi gives you the same idea with more width. Get in touch if you'd like to talk it through.

Want it steadier and more forgiving? Try the Starboard Tsurugi 14'0.