What’s the difference between a paddle board and a SUP?
SUP Equipment The Board: A stand-up paddleboard is larger, wider, and generally more buoyant than a traditional paddleboard. It ranges between 9 and 12 feet in length and is designed to support a standing rider. The Best Paddle Boards for Most Beginners are Inflatable If you later get serious about surfing or racing, you might then consider a fiberglass or epoxy board for those activities, but an inflatable is what makes the most sense for your first board in most cases.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.While inflatable paddle boards are designed to be durable, taking preventive measures can further reduce the risk of punctures: Choose Your Location: Opt for calmer waters and avoid areas with sharp rocks or potential hazards. Research the water body and its conditions before venturing out.As long as your weight is at or below the suggested weight limit, you should be fine. However, you don’t want to be too heavy for a board. When the paddler is heavier than the board’s weight capacity, the board will ride lower, dragging in the water and making in inefficient to paddle.If you weigh less than 150lb, you’ll want to go for a shorter paddleboard in the 9’6 range, and if you get the right design, these boards can give the rider a lot of stability. Make sure the width is appropriate for the length at around 30-32 inches, as anything wider will be slow to paddle.
Why are some paddle boards more expensive than others?
High quality inflatable paddle boards are completely hand-made, so labor costs are high. Some lower cost inflatable SUPs are assembled in a more automated mass production process, which keeps the cost down but results in lower quality and performance. Quick Answer: For all-around leisure paddling, inflatable SUPs are much better overall, due to advantages in durability, portability, weight, versatility, and injury prevention.Added volume and increased stability are also what makes inflatable SUPS stand out as the best option when compared to non inflatable paddle boards. Tower iSUP’s in particular have about twice the volume of the same length non inflatable paddle board, making them way more stable and buoyant.Inflatable stand up paddle boards are much lighter than their solid counterparts, making them much easier to carry and move around. This makes them ideal for paddling rivers and canals, especially if you need to pass through locks.SPEED COMPARISON In general, rigid SUPs are faster than inflatable SUPs. The primary reason for this is the inherent design and construction differences between the two. Rigidity and Stiffness: Rigid SUPs are constructed from solid materials like fiberglass, bamboo, carbon fiber, or epoxy, making them extremely stiff.In order for two people to be on a paddle board, the board’s volume must be able to support the combined weight of the riders. For families, it is possible to paddle with an adult and a child, however, two adults may be to much weight for most boards.
Why are red paddle boards so expensive?
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. Over Expansion in Paddle Boards There is no rule saying you can’t leave your paddle board inflated; however, we strongly recommend that if you’re leaving your paddle board in storage for long periods of time, you should deflate it to keep it in its best possible condition.For short term storage, leaving your board inflated is absolutely fine, permitting it’s in the perfect storage spot as we outlined above. All inflatable paddle boards will lose air pressure over time when left inflated, but it’s also key to remember that air pressure expands in extreme heat.DURABILITY. The durability of your blow up paddle board is important, especially when it’s inflatable. Once a cheap paddle board starts to break down, it tends to be more than just a simple issue and more than likely isn’t worth the effort of fixing so you’ll end up going and buying a new one.Do I need to deflate my paddle board after each use? Deflating your SUP board isn’t absolutely required, especially if you’ll be using it again in the near future. However, deflation does offer advantages such as saving storage space and minimizing the risk of long-term inflation damage.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.
Is it OK to keep inflatable paddle board inflated?
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 Long Can You Leave a SUP Inflated? 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.Matter tends to expand when heated. The same is true of air inside an inflatable paddleboard. While a SUP inflated to the recommended maximum PSI is unlikely to ‘pop’, it is good practice to keep a board out of prolonged contact with direct sunlight on hot days.Yes, inflatable paddle boards can burst, but this outcome is rare and typically the result of certain conditions or misuse. Over inflation, temperature variations, and material wear are the primary factors that could lead to a board bursting.