How to choose a paddle board that suits you best, so you can enjoy it for many years
There’s a reason why stand up paddle boarding is one of the fastest-growing sports all around. I mean, once a fan of SUPing, always a fan of SUPing. It’s a fun, entertaining way to get a workout in while enjoying the waves, no matter where you are. Also, trust me when I say it is super-easy to learn. All you need is a little courage to stand on your paddle board, and the water will do the rest.
With that said, being into stand up paddle boarding for years, I know from experience that people oftentimes make rookie mistakes when buying their first stand up paddle board. They either don’t buy the right one for their type of paddle boarding or they overpay on something they could have spent less instead. I mean, who doesn’t like a good bargain?
Well, here, I’m going to talk all about how to choose a paddle board based on your specific needs. Selecting your first paddle board doesn’t have to be challenging at all! In fact, it all depends on your lifestyle, the waters you will be using it in, and of course, your budget. So, let’s make the shopping for your first board fun and easy! Since your budget is such a big factor, our guide on how much a paddle board costs is a good next stop.
How to choose a paddle board: The basics of buying a standup paddle board
Whether you are using your paddle board to catch waves in the ocean, relax your mind after a long day, or get a good yoga session in the morning, having the right paddling board is key to your enjoyment. With that said, here are some of the basics we will be discussing in this text that will help you tremendously when picking your first paddle board.
- First, you have to consider how you will use your paddle board.
- Furthermore, we will talk about the two construction types of boards, the inflatable ones, and the solid ones. This depends on the transport and storage space you have.
- This will help you determine some of the basic features of the board like its shape, correct volume and capacity, length, width, and thickness.
- Lastly, we cannot conclude without the mention of the much-needed accessories such as fins and other paddling gear that will make your SUPing extra enjoyable.
How to choose a paddle board: Solid paddle board or Inflatable one?
Let’s start with a solid stand up paddle board, shall we? Namely, solid paddle boards, even though they look quite sturdy and big, they are made of fiberglass and epoxy and are quite lightweight.
The durable materials also make this a reliable construction that will a little care in the offseason will last you for a long, long time.
Of course, if you are looking for a more bang for your buck, you can opt for those made of carbon fiber, which will be even lighter, hence easier to store and transport. They do come at a higher price, though.
As the third, cheapest option, you have the plastic paddle boards which you might find a bit heavier than the other two, and you might find them a bit bulky and without the performance of the other materials.
Until now, these different types of materials may not tell you much, but if there’s one thing I would like you to get out of it at this point is that you have to pay attention to the overall weight. It determines your movability and your performance on the water.
So, to make your choice an easier one, here are some significant reasons why getting a solid SUP may be right for you.
- A variety of sizes: Manufacturers offer more paddle board sizes and lengths for solid boards than they do for inflatable ones. So, by choosing a solid one, you are more likely to find the perfect match for your needs.
- Optimal performance: If performance is your priority, then a solid paddle board is what you need. They offer a smoother sail with a low effort, and they travel faster than the inflatable ones. If you’re looking to paddle fast and far, this is your best pick.
- Solid stability: Of course, performance is nothing without stability. Since solid boards are sturdier and more rigid than the inflatable ones, it is normal that you will get better balance out of them.
- Storage space: Here, we come to a point that does not necessarily have to be good. It is true, solid boards tend to catch up more space. So, consider this before you get one since storing it properly in the off season determines how well your board will serve you and how long you’ll have it.
Now that you know more about solid paddle boards let’s talk about the inflatable ones. Firstly, they are mostly made of PVC exteriors with drop-stitch construction. Make sure when you’re buying your inflatable paddle board, it comes with a pump for inflating the board and a useful storage bag when deflated.
With that said, let’s take a closer look at all the reasons why an inflatable board, on the other hand, may be an excellent pick for you.
- You tend to travel when paddle boarding: Some adventurers like to hike to a nearby lake and paddle there. This is when an inflatable paddle board beats a solid one for all the right reasons.
Even if you are traveling long-distance or even boarding a plane, you can still take your favorite paddle board with you, deflated, of course. It still might be heavy, but hey, better than paying one more sit on the plane next to you and getting those weird stares from the people around you. - You like paddling whitewater: If you are the ultimate adventurer and want to try whitewater paddling right from the start, kudos to you my friend! But you will definitely be better off with an inflatable paddle board since it offers more stability and flexibility with all the rocks and logs in the water.
- Yoga SUPing: If you didn’t know people did yoga on a paddle board, well, congrats, now you know. But if you did and you wanted to try it out for yourself, congrats again. I can tell you from my personal experience it is one heck of a way to start a day! Being a bit softer and absorbing, an inflatable board is a much better choice than the solid ones.
- Storage space: One thing that the inflatable board surely wins is the storage space. Being deflated, it becomes a much smaller chunk of plastic that can be stored away in its bag without taking up too much of your space.
How to choose a paddle board: Hull types of paddle boards
Regardless of whether you choose a solid or inflatable paddle board, you will be presented with the choice of picking between 2 hull types. The planning hull and the displacement hull.
Just to clear things up here, when I say hull, I mean the body of the stand up paddle board. The reason why we are discussing this, is that the shape of the body determines how the board performs when in use.
Planing Hull
A paddle board with a planning hull tends to be flatter and wider than the displacement hull. Therefore, it is excellent for whitewater paddling, SUP yoga, or leisure paddling.
Displacement Hull
On a displacement hull board, you will see that it has a pointy nose, just like a kayak or canoe. This makes the board narrower and helps you to slice through water and slide without much effort. If you are looking to go far and fast, a solid construction with a displacement hull is the right choice for you! A real kayak takes this idea even further, and our guide to sea kayaking explains how to choose the right one.
How to choose a paddle board: SUP Volume and Weight Capacity
The most important thing when paddle boarding, regardless if you’re a newbie or a pro, is to feel safe when on your paddle board. This is why you need to pick the board with the right size and volume that will displace the correct amount of water for your weight. Feeling safe also comes down to good technique, which our guide on how to hold a paddle board paddle covers step by step.
Volume: On the specifications of the paddle board, you will see the volume expressed in liters. The higher this number, the more weight it can carry for its paddler.
Weight capacity: This number represents how much total amount of weight capacity the board has. It is important not to go over this number because if you are too heavy for your paddle board, you won’t be able to paddle sufficiently. This is why you need to consider your body weight along with any gear or additional items you may be carrying on board when paddling.
How to choose a paddle board: Stand up paddle board length
When it comes to length, a great deal of what you pick lies in the experience you have and the places you’ll be using your board in. For instance, longer boards sail smoother and are faster, while shorter boards are easier to maneuver and handle, especially suitable for rookies.
Furthermore, short boards (under 305cm) are an excellent choice for my fellow paddlers who want to try surfing instead.
Have kids? These boards are perfect for introducing them to the world of SUPing. However, if you are looking to buy specifically for children, you will find those boards at around 244cm long.
Then, medium boards of 305cm to 366cm are quite flexible and can be used for any paddling type, including yoga.
Long boards of 380cm and above are great for those long-touring adventures. They can hold a significant amount of space for any additional gear, food, or anything else you need for hours and hours of paddling. Plus, they are quite faster and more stable and comfortable than the other two.
How to choose a paddle board: Paddle board Width
Just like the length, the width is a crucial factor in how your paddle board performs on the water. Logically, the wider the board is, the more stable it will be. However, that does not come without a price, though. And what might that be? Well, you are paying with speed. The wider your board is, the slower it will be. And if it’s too wide for your build, it will be difficult to paddle. SUP boards come at 64cm to 92cm width.
Type of paddling: If you are going on a long but slow and steady tour with your friends and need extra gear on board with you, a wider board is advisable. Also, for those avid Yogis that like to stretch out with yoga on their boards, a wider board will provide more stability for a variety of poses. Shorter, fast-paced paddling trips will require narrower boards since they will be faster to paddle with.
Type of build: Your body type or build plays a role here too. If you are a tinier person with a smaller build, then you may find it easy to balance yourself out on a narrower board. However, if youR