How to choose a SUP?
A SUP board must work for your size. If the board doesn’t displace the correct amount of water for your weight, you won’t be supported well and the board may feel unstable. Board volume and weight capacity are two factors that affect how stable you will feel and how well the board will travel through the water. Extra board thickness makes it harder to get back on the board when you fall in the water. A thicker board takes longer to inflate, is more difficult to carry under your arm, and has a bouncier ride than a thinner board.Thicker boards will be stiffer than thinner boards. They also have more volume and will float higher at a given weight than a thinner board, however they will also be more susceptible to the wind and place your center of gravity higher over the surface of the water (impacting stability).Quick Answer: For all-around leisure paddling, inflatable SUPs are much better overall, due to advantages in durability, portability, weight, versatility, and injury prevention. But if you are buying a board mainly for SUP surfing or racing, certain technical attributes of hardboards make them worthy of consideration.If you keep your inflatable sup inflated for months at a time it will start to slowly release air. This happens extremely slowly however. If for example you leave your sup inflated for 10 months it may lose 1-2 psi’s worth of air so nothing that can totally change the integrity of your inflatable paddle boards.
How many types of SUP are there?
There are three basic types of stand up paddle boarding: Equipment needs are slightly different for each type of SUP, yet all include a board, a paddle, and safety equipment. Stand-up paddle boards can vary in price, ranging from about $200 to around $3000. If you are lucky, you will also have a chance to find a quality board for under $500. The paddle board price is generally influenced by materials, brand, size, features, and construction quality.One of the main differences between cheap and expensive paddleboards lies in the quality of materials and construction. Cheap paddleboards are often made from less durable materials such as low-grade PVC or inflatable materials, which may impact their longevity and ability to withstand wear and tear.Why Are Red Paddle Boards So Expensive? Red Paddle Co boards are made from better and more expensive materials than mass market boards and are hand-built to very high standards. The high-quality components and accessories that come with the boards also add to their cost.If you are a larger paddler, the material choices are even more important. Cheaper materials and builds will flex and bend more on the water making it harder (sometimes even impossible) to comfortably stand on your board or even paddle it around while seated.