What is the best size paddle board for beginners?
Boards 10 to 11 feet are ideal for beginners and casual all-around paddlers and SUP yoga. If you want touring and longer distances, opt for 11 to 12. The most popular SUP boards for general use are 10-11 feet in length and between 32 and 34 inches wide. If stability is a high priority for you, you’ll want to look for a board that is 33-34 inches wide. You can go wider, but you may end up with a board that is sluggish and less fun to paddle.The GILI 12’6” Meno Touring Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board is an excellent example of this. You should add 10 – 12 inches to your height when choosing the perfect size SUP board for touring and racing. Ideally, your chosen touring board will be over 12 feet long.Boards 10 to 11 feet are ideal for beginners and casual all-around paddlers and SUP yoga. If you want touring and longer distances, opt for 11 to 12.If your adventures involve speed, long-distance cruising, or fishing, an 11′ paddle board is your match, offering faster gliding and ample space. On the other hand, if your focus is on yoga or recreational paddling, or you just prefer a more relaxed pace, the nimble 10′ paddle board should be your go-to.
How much should you spend on an inflatable paddle board?
The cost of an inflatable paddle board can vary greatly depending on several factors, including the size, quality, and brand of the board. Generally, the average cost of an inflatable paddle board ranges from $400 to $2000. For all-around and river specific uses, inflatable boards have significant performance advantages over hard boards that benefit most paddlers. For big wave surfing and competition class sup racing, hard stand up paddle boards have an edge in performance.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.Only paddle in light winds. Strong wind can make paddleboarding much harder, especially on an inflatable SUP. Winds strength over 10knots/12mph/3Bf) are best avoided. DO NOT paddle if there is a risk of thunder/lightening.The bottom line is that inflatable paddle boards are better to use in general because they’re lightweight, stable, durable, and can be used in a variety of settings. However, if you plan on surfing, racing, or optimizing your performance, hard epoxy boards are the right choice.
Is it bad to leave an inflatable paddle board inflated?
It is okay to leave your SUP inflated as long as you take a few precautions before storing it away. First, find a cool, dry storage area and preferably a paddle board rack that is mounted away from other objects. Its recommended that this storage area remains at a steady cool temperature throughout the entire year. You can leave your inflatable paddle board inflated indefinitely, as long as you store your board correctly. If you release air, keep your board out of sunlight, and in a cool, dry place, your inflatable board can remain inflated, and little to no damage will come to it.It’s OK to store your SUP inflated Or, how long can I leave an inflatable SUP inflated? As long as it’s out of direct sunlight, you can leave your iSUP inflated indefinitely.How Long Do Inflatable Paddle Boards Last? We could answer this question with an arbitrary range, such as 2 to 12 years, but the truth is that the durability of an inflatable SUP will depend on the quality of the board you buy and the type of use it endures.In summary, it is generally OK to leave your inflatable stand up board fully inflated, provided you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and store it in a cool, dry place.
How much should you spend on inflatable paddle board?
Inflatable paddle board prices are a budget-friendly option for enthusiasts. Due to factors like material quality, design features, and brand reputation, prices range from $350 to $1,700. Entry-level boards are more affordable, while high-end models with advanced features can cost more. Disadvantages of inflatable SUPs Compared to hard boards, an inflatable SUP is not as rigid, which means they are not performance focused. Being less rigid, also means that they are less responsive and maneuverable when trying to make quick turns. Inflatable SUPs will also have more flex in them than hard boards.This can be especially great for beginners or children. Very stable – For the most part I would say that inflatable SUP’s are more stable than a hard-shell board. I find them much easier to learn on and in general just an overall more stable ride.Durability: Surprisingly, inflatable paddle boards are more durable than solid paddle boards. Quality inflatables are made from military grade materials, so if you knock or drop your inflatable board, it won’t dent or scratch. This also makes inflatable boards perfect for white water paddling or paddling rocky rivers.An inflatable paddle board is much easier on the body of the rider and anybody else the board might come in contact with. A softer deck reduces fatigue. Standing on an inflatable SUP is similar to standing on one of those expensive rubber mats used in commercial settings to reduce fatigue.
Why are some inflatable paddle boards so expensive?
Getting Value from Your Purchase. A good inflatable SUP will have little or no noticeable flex and will not feel bouncy, but the price will be higher because of the expensive material required to make a board with ideal physical properties and outline shape. You can leave your inflatable paddle board inflated indefinitely, as long as you store your board correctly. If you release air, keep your board out of sunlight, and in a cool, dry place, your inflatable board can remain inflated, and little to no damage will come to it.With proper care and maintenance, a well-built inflatable paddle board can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years or more. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that the lifespan of your iSUP may vary depending on how often you use it, the conditions in which it’s used and stored, and the quality of construction.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.
What is a good price for a paddle board?
For novice paddlers who want a good-quality sup experience, i would recommend budgeting around $1,000 and looking for paddleboards in the middle of the price range. At this pricing tier you will begin to experience better performance on the water and the construction will be a bit higher quality than low-level boards. Most sup boards are designed for one person only (especially inflatable sups). However, some family-sized paddle boards are designed to support the weight of several people, allowing two people to paddle and have fun together.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.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.While paddle boards do have a weight limit, it’s not an absolute number, and each one has its own weight capacity. However, typically, a standard paddle board can accommodate around 200 to 500 pounds. There are also larger ones with higher weight limits that are capable of holding more than 700 pounds.Most SUP boards are designed for one person only (especially inflatable SUPs). However, some family-sized paddle boards are designed to support the weight of several people, allowing two people to paddle and have fun together.