How to Choose the Right Stand Up Paddle Board

Stand-up paddleboarding is quickly becoming a popular sport. It’s a great activity for individuals and families alike. It can be challenging to choose the right board especially if you’re new to the sport. It’s best to educate yourself on what to look out for before you start the buying process. 

You’re probably asking yourself where do you even begin?

For beginners or newbies to the sport, it’s a good idea to get an expert opinion. If you have an instructor that’s a great bonus for you. You can ask them for help with what you need to know when purchasing your very first stand-up paddleboard. Instructors usually keep up with trends and can tell you what’s the best of the best and what’s all about the hype. 

If however, you don’t have anyone that you can go to for advice then we recommend following these tips to help you in choosing your sup board.

Type

The type of SUP (stand-up paddleboard) that you get will depend on what activities you intend to use it for. For example; if Surf SUP is great for catching waves but it’s not suited for anything else. Knowing how you want to use your board can help you avoid making the wrong choice and having to purchase more boards than you need. Some of the types to consider:

• Surf
• Yoga
• Touring
• Kids
• All-Around
• Multi-Purpose

Keep in mind that not all boards are suited for the same activities while others can be used for more than one activity. 

Size

Once you’ve decided on what type of SUP board you need you’ll want to consider the size. The size really will depend on the type of board that you decide to go with. Surf stand-up paddleboards are generally shorter. This is because they need to be easy to control and handle. Touring or racing boards are going to be considerably longer. Multi-purpose boards or group boards are longer. This is necessary to support the number of people. The thickness is also a part of the size. A thin inflatable can bend in the middle and render itself useless. It’s recommended to go with a thickness of 6 inches or more. However, for beginners, you don’t want your board to be thick or heavy as it will be harder to handle and make the learning process that much harder. It should be fun not tedious. 

Price

Price is another important factor to consider when choosing the right stand-up paddleboard. The price will of course vary depending on what type of board you choose to go with. It will also depend on whether you go for inflatable sup or solid sup. Things like features and accessories will also be a factor. It’s a good idea to know what you need from what’s not necessary. As with most things you should be well informed and go into the store knowing what you want. 

Inflatable or Solid

Another thing to consider is whether or not you want an iSUP (inflatable) or sSUP (solid). In recent years inflatables have risen in popularity. That being said, there are still several veterans that swear by solid models. 

 Inevitably it’s all going to depend on what is best suited for your needs.

Inflatable 

Are best suited for easy on-the-go access. Once deflated can be stored and carried easily. That means they’re great for plane travel. They’re also great for yoga use as the material is a bit softer and more comfortable during your yoga practice. They are durable and made from PVC material ensuring that they last a long time. 

Solid

These are best for racing as they cut through water easily and can still be easy to travel with. This is especially true for shorter surf sups. They are made from an epoxy material that makes them super durable and long-lasting. With care, they can go a long way. Their solid material lends itself to having more support and is great for more seasoned users. 

Knowing what type to choose can be a little tricky for the inundated but as you go along your journey you’ll become more knowledgeable and soon you’ll be an old hand at choosing a good quality stand-up paddleboard. Remember to have fun when making your purchase and to keep your excitement about starting your journey with you. It’s all about the fun so we hope that these tips help you go from the store to the water that much quicker.