How to size a SUP?
If you’re new to paddling, look for a board 33” to 35” in width for more stability. If speed is a priority for you, look for a board 31” to 32” wide and 10 to 12 ½ feet long. Pro Advice: when shopping for your first paddle board, consider an All Around SUP around at least 10’6 long and 31” to 35” wide. SUP also is great for an aerobic workout. It controls cortisol (stress hormone) production. People who do paddleboarding consistently will tell you that they feel wonderful after the exercise. This positive feeling results from the fact that the body produces endorphins and other happy hormones.Stand up paddle boarding is an excellent full-body workout, meaning, it works all the muscles in your body – your shoulders, chest, back, core, arms and legs.Versatility: Paddle boards aren’t just for standing. You can kneel, sit cross-legged, lay down, or even stretch out. Paddle North paddle boards are designed with textured, EVA-foam, comfortable traction pads that are great for sitting.The best paddle board is the Bote Wulf Aero. It’s an inflatable SUP that manages to be portable, super stable, and easy to maneuver. Plus, it’s half the price of similarly performing boards. If you’re on a tight budget, check out the Advenor Extra Wide.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.
What to look for when buying a SUP?
When choosing a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), it’s important to consider the size, shape, and weight capacity of the board to match your needs. For beginners, stability is key. Generally, a longer and wider board offers better balance: Length: A board between 10 to 12 feet is ideal for most adults. Short boards are more maneuverable than long boards, making them great for surfing waves. Boards designed specifically for kids are typically around 8′ long. Medium boards (10′ to 12′) are ideal for all-around use and for SUP yoga.SUP Length In general, longer boards are faster than shorter boards, but shorter boards are more maneuverable. Keep in mind your intended use when deciding what length SUP to buy: Short boards (under 10′) are great for surfing and/or kids.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.The first is that beyond the boards width, the length also plays a role in providing stability. It is both the boards length x width that will add to how stable the SUP will feel. The trade-off of this, though, is maneuverability. The larger the board, the less maneuverable it will be.They are a good choice for those looking to do some touring or racing. If you want to paddle in a straight line for a long time, a 11′ board is a smart choice.
How difficult is SUP?
Stand up paddle boarding is not very hard if you have the proper equipment, the right sized paddle board for your weight and the correct SUP paddle length for your height. Then simply learning the right techniques to paddle safely and effectively combined with practice, practice, practice will get you going everywhere! 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.Paddle boarding is an effective and enjoyable way to lose weight and improve your overall fitness. By incorporating structured workouts, interval training, and SUP yoga into your routine, you can burn calories, build muscle, and enhance your cardiovascular health.Yes—inflatable paddle boards are absolutely worth it for most people. They’re portable, durable, easy to store, and versatile enough for everything from flatwater paddling to river adventures.The real world shows us that paddle boarders come in all shapes and sizes and people over 50 kg can play too. To anyone who is big-boned, burly, extremely tall or just plain overweight, there is a board for you.
How to choose the best 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. Increases core strength – Stand Up Paddle Boarding engages your core muscles and builds abdominal strength and lean muscle tone, while at the same time strengthening arms, legs, back, and shoulders.SUP boards typically come in two shapes: all-around and touring. All-around boards are ideal for beginners. They are versatile, stable, and suited for various water conditions. Touring boards are longer and built for speed and long-distance paddling.Paddle boarding alone may not be enough to develop visible abs. Other factors such as your diet, can contribute to improving core strength and toning. But the paddling motion itself engages your core muscles and this can develop your abs over time.Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) might look easy, but it’s not always so. Things like wind, waves, and trying to go straight, even taking extra stuff with you, can throw off your balance. Yet, learning to stay steady in these tough spots is how you make sure your time on water is fun and safe.Traditional paddleboarding, also known as prone paddleboarding, predates SUP by many decades. Unlike SUP, paddleboarding involves either kneeling or lying flat on a paddleboard, and the rider propels themselves by paddling with their hands instead of using a paddle.
Why is SUP called SUP?
Paddle surfing was first called Beach Boys Surfing, although it ended up being called Stand Up Paddle Surfing or SUP. The origin of the term Stand Up Paddle is different, since it comes from the Hawaiian concept ‘Ku Hoe He’e Nalu’, which means to stand up, paddle and surf a wave. Labelled as the best paddle board for beginners, the Waterwalker 132 11′ All-Around Paddle Board is designed to be a stable SUP and an easy paddle board for anyone starting their journey.In summary, a SUP and a paddle board refer to the same watercraft used for the sport of stand-up paddleboarding. SUP refers slightly more to the activity, of actually standing, rather than solely the board being used.Traditional paddleboarding, also known as prone paddleboarding, predates SUP by many decades. Unlike SUP, paddleboarding involves either kneeling or lying flat on a paddleboard, and the rider propels themselves by paddling with their hands instead of using a paddle.Width – A Stand Up Paddleboards width will undoubtedly have the greatest effect on the paddleboards stability. The wider the SUP, the more stable the paddleboard is. Although, it is worth remembering that the wider board, the less agile and less glide the SUP will have.
Why SUP instead of kayak?
However, SUPs provide a better opportunity to move around, shift position, and even lay flat. Speed: Kayaks are usually able to move faster than SUPs but there are racing SUPs that can keep up with a kayak. Some of this is also dependent on the user (the engine) of the craft. In general, people agree that kayaks are more stable, more comfortable, and more spacious than SUPs, but they are also bulkier. SUPs are versatile and easy to handle, but they are also less suitable for cold weather or long distances.Kayak vs Paddleboard Performance in Different Conditions SUPs shine in calm lakes, providing a full-body workout as you balance and paddle. Kayaks dominate in windy, cold, or choppy waters, offering more protection and easier handling for beginners.In general, people agree that kayaks are more stable, more comfortable, and more spacious than SUPs, but they are also bulkier. SUPs are versatile and easy to handle, but they are also less suitable for cold weather or long distances.Inflatable SUPs are much more stable and can handle everything from chop to flat water, making them much better for yoga, fishing, and general recreational use. In short, solid SUPs make huge sacrifices for slightly better glide. This makes them perform better when SUP surfing and racing.SUP is an acronym that’s short for, Stand Up Paddle Boarding. The SUP acronym is commonly mistaken for the term cool people use to greet each other (sup, man? However, SUP is actually a trending water sport that people of all ages, shapes and sizes enjoy.