Introducing StompBox 2.0: Hala's Next-Generation Retractable Fin System

When Hala Gear introduced the original StompBox retractable fin system, it changed whitewater paddleboarding forever. The idea was simple but game-changing: a fin that retracts flush with the board at the stomp of your heel, letting you run shallow rivers, scrape over rocks, and charge drops without destroying your fin or losing control.

StompBox 2.0 takes everything that made the original great and makes it better.

What is the StompBox Retractable Fin System?

Traditional inflatable SUPs use a fixed center fin that sticks down several inches below the board. On flatwater, that's fine. On a river, it's a liability — rocks, ledges, and shallow riffles can snap a fixed fin instantly or flip the board.

The StompBox solves this. Mounted in the center of the board, the StompBox fin deploys with a stomp of your back heel and retracts with another stomp. When retracted, the fin sits completely flush with the board's underside — zero drag, zero snag. When deployed, it gives you the directional stability and tracking you need to charge downriver confidently.

What's New in StompBox 2.0

The 2.0 version represents a significant re-engineering of the fin box and deployment mechanism:

• Re-optimized fin box geometry — The internal geometry of the StompBox housing has been refined for tighter tolerances, which means more responsive deployment and less wiggle when deployed.
• Improved tracking performance — StompBox 2.0 positions the fin with optimized cant angle and depth for better straight-line tracking on flatwater and more predictable behavior in current.
• Enhanced surf performance — On river waves, StompBox 2.0's re-optimized placement gives your board better rail-to-rail response when carving.
• Durability improvements — Reinforced mounting points and updated materials extend the life of the mechanism across more stomp cycles.

Which Boards Have StompBox 2.0?

All current Hala river boards ship with StompBox 2.0 installed:

• Atcha 96 — The original whitewater weapon, redesigned for maximum charging performance
• Atcha 86 — The shorter, more playful Atcha for steep creek lines and technical moves
• Rado — The expedition SUP that bridges whitewater performance with flatwater efficiency
• Radito — The compact river-expedition board for smaller paddlers and technical terrain

How to Use the StompBox

The StompBox is designed to be intuitive on the water:

1. Deploy: Stomp your back heel firmly onto the rear of the StompBox housing. You'll feel and hear a click as the fin locks into the deployed position.
2. Retract: Stomp again in the same spot. The fin retracts flush with the board bottom.
3. Shallow water: Approach shallow sections with fin retracted. Once you're through, stomp to redeploy immediately.

It becomes second nature after a few runs — most Hala paddlers stomp without even thinking about it after their first day on the water.

Compatible Fins

The StompBox 2.0 is compatible with our full lineup of Hala fins, including river fins, low-pro fins, and racing fins. Swapping fins takes seconds with no tools required.

Why the StompBox Matters for River SUP

If you've ever tried running a river on a board with a fixed fin, you know the anxiety of every shallow section. The StompBox eliminates that. It opens up rivers that were previously off-limits, makes scouting optional on familiar runs, and gives you the confidence to charge harder.

It's the reason our boards have been the choice of serious river paddlers for over a decade — and StompBox 2.0 is the most refined version yet.

Shop Hala whitewater SUP boards and find the right StompBox 2.0 board for your river.