What to know before buying a paddle board?
To find the right stand up paddle board for you, consider how you’re going to use it, how it will fit your body and how you want it to handle in the water. The key decision points will be the shape of the board, getting the correct volume and capacity, as well as the proper length, width and thickness. 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.
What is the difference between a paddle board and a SUP board?
The Board: Traditional paddleboards are longer and narrower than SUP boards, typically between 12 to 19 feet long, making them more hydrodynamic. These boards are designed for either prone (lying flat) or kneeling positions and require a high level of balance and core strength. Inflatables tend to lose momentum more quickly, partly due to increased drag from flatter hulls and slight flex in the structure. Over time, this reduced glide efficiency forces the paddler to work harder, contributing to quicker fatigue and lower sustained speeds compared to a similarly sized hard board.Generally, the 11′ paddle boards can shoulder more weight, making them the ideal choice for slightly larger paddlers or those carrying additional gear. A 10′ board, while it has a lower weight capacity, still manages to handle a reasonable load and is a great fit for smaller paddlers.Heavier paddlers who are well under 6′ tall can get away with a 10-11 board that is over 32” wide. Paddlers over 6′ tall across the weight spectrum will do best to prioritize length.Inflatable paddle boards are more convenient as they’re easier to store and transport. But a traditional hard paddle board—while not the most convenient—offers much better performance by having more agility and superior glide on the water.
Is it harder to kayak or SUP?
Both kayaking and SUP can be easy for anyone but can also be challenging, depending on the paddling conditions and intensity. SUP consumes more calories and works more muscles than kayaking. Just like regular surfing, SUP surfing is an incredible full-body workout. You can burn around 700 calories in an active one-hour sup surf session. The bigger the waves – the harder you work and more calories you burn.It Burns Calories When you paddle at an average walking pace on calm water, you will burn 330 to 460 calories. Twice the amount than your average walk around the neighbourhood! People who paddle at a faster pace or those who participate in SUP touring, racing, or surfing can burn as much as 600+ calories an hour.
Is paddleboarding hard for beginners?
Is paddleboarding difficult? Paddleboarding is a fairly low-intensity sport – it just requires a general level of fitness and the ability to balance. With proper instruction – and it’s very important to book a lesson – it doesn’t take long to become a paddleboarding pro. Length: A board between 10 to 12 feet is ideal for most adults. Longer boards offer more stability and a smoother glide, while shorter boards are easier to manoeuvre. Width: Look for a board that’s 30 to 34 inches wide. Wider boards provide greater balance, making them perfect for beginners.Plus, the repetitive paddling motion helps tone and strengthen your arm, shoulder, and leg muscles. Mental Focus and Concentration: Paddleboarding requires concentration to stay balanced and navigate the water.An 11′ paddle board generally has more to offer when it comes to volume, promising enhanced buoyancy and stability on the water, pushing the “10ft paddle board vs 11ft comparison” further.Stability: If you’re a beginner or you’re not as comfortable on the water, paddle boarding may be a better option because the board is wider and more stable than a kayak. However, if you’re an experienced water sports enthusiast and you’re comfortable with a narrower boat, kayaking might just float your boat.
Is it hard to fall off a paddleboard?
Although falling off your paddle board can be frustrating, it’s important to remember that even the most experienced of paddle boarders will fall off every now and again and it is all part of the process of learning. Avoid offshore winds. They will quickly blow your paddleboard far out to sea, which can make it extremely tiring and difficult to paddle back to shore. Avoid launching in windy conditions. You should wear a suitable personal flotation device.Keep your arms straight and twist from your torso as you paddle. Push down on the paddle grip with your top hand rather than pulling the paddle back with your lower arm. It’s helpful for some people to think of pulling the board past the paddle rather than pulling the paddle through the water.Wind is a major risk for paddleboarders. You may be setting off in smooth waters, but offshore winds can create breaking waves meaning you can end up in choppy seas faster than you think, or being swept out to sea .Avoid offshore winds. They will quickly blow your paddleboard far out to sea, which can make it extremely tiring and difficult to paddle back to shore. Avoid launching in windy conditions. You should wear a suitable personal flotation device.Paddleboards do come with a higher risk of falling, but they are easier to climb back onto compared to a kayak. Always make sure kids wear a properly fitted personal flotation device (PFD) in case they fall off.
Will I lose weight paddle boarding?
Whilst not the most efficient way to lose weight, paddleboarding is a good and fun way to contribute to weight loss, and increase overall strength at the same time. If you’re of average build, then paddleboarding for 1 hour will burn 300 calories. That’s the equivalent of running for approximately 30 minutes. The average person will burn about 1200 calories during 3 hours of paddle boarding. This is based on a person weighing 150 pounds and paddling at a moderate pace.Every time you take a paddle stroke your knees will bend slightly, your glutes will tense and your quads, hamstrings, abductors, lower calf and upper calf muscles will keep you solid on the board. Each muscle works together but it is mainly the hamstrings and quadriceps that get the brunt of the workout.Paddleboarding helps with core strength “It is our body’s strong base. Paddleboarding provides a deep transverse abdominal workout, the muscles below your oblique muscles, she explained.Paddle boarding does burn belly fat. This is because you’re recruiting large muscles such as your back and arms to paddle. The larger the muscle group you recruit, the more muscular strength you build and the more calories you burn, which can help burn body fat (including belly fat).Weight loss is a common fitness goal, and paddle boarding can certainly help. Depending on the intensity of your workout, you can burn several hundred calories in an hour of paddle boarding. It’s a physical activity that doesn’t feel like a traditional exercise, which can motivate you to stick with it longer.