How do I choose my first paddle board?
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. 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.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.As we’ve shown above, inflatable boards are easy to transport and store, durable and are usually more affordable than rigid paddle boards, making them ideal for leisure paddling. But if you’re looking for a board for SUP surfing or racing, a good quality rigid board may be a better option.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.
How do I know which paddle board to buy?
Body type: Try to match the width of the SUP to your body type. In general, if you’re a small person, go with a narrower board and if you’re a big person, go with a wider board. This is because a smaller person can generally find their balance on a narrow board, whereas a bigger person may struggle to do so. 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.If you’re a beginner in paddle boarding, you’ll want a longer and broader board, between 10 and 12 feet in length and 30 to 32 inches in width. This size will give you better stability, allowing you to balance and handle the board.A wider board will always be more stable than a skinny board, but keep in mind that a wide board can be slower and, if the board is too wide for you, difficult to paddle. SUPs are made in widths ranging from about 25 inches up to 36 inches to accommodate a variety of needs.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.Paddle boarding is not strictly for a specific type of body of water. You can take your stand-up paddle board to the lake or the ocean! Both bodies of water might seem similar in experience, but they are extremely different.
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. Cheap inflatable SUPs only have one PVC layer. Although they’re lightweight and easy to carry, their rigidity is not impressive and, as you can imagine, they aren’t durable. Expensive iSUPs usually have two or more layers of high-quality PVC. They are much more rigid and even feel like solid boards once fully inflated.Cheap iSUPs often use lower-grade materials that may not be as durable or long-lasting. Expensive iSUPs typically use high-quality materials, such as military-grade PVC, which provide better durability and resistance to punctures and wear.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.
What is the difference between a paddle board and a SUP?
Paddling Style: Stand-up paddleboarding involves standing on the board and using a single-bladed paddle to propel yourself through the water. Paddlers stand upright on the board and use their core and arm strength to paddle. Board Type: The term paddle board is often used as a synonym for SUP. Stand up paddle boarding isn’t hard. It’s a blast to learn and most people are able to get the hang of it on their first time out. We’re going to take you through a method to help you improve at paddle boarding in a few easy steps.inflatable paddle boards are made using special drop-stitch fabrics which are expensive and require great precision in assembly to maintain an accurate board shape. High quality inflatable paddle boards are completely hand-made, so labor costs are high.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.A full paddle boarding set up with the board, leash, fin, and all the accessories you need to get started will typically cost $500 to $1,200. This price depends on the size, quality, and construction of the board. All of these aspects play a part in the price.
Why not buy a cheap paddle board?
In the low end, cheap paddle boards; the drop stitching is made with a cheap, low quality material which means after a couple of times of inflating and deflating your paddle board, these threads will snap. You will see people who have the cheaper SUPs, that their board is dipped in the middle when they’re using it. 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.The environmental causes are time and exposure to excessive heat and the elements. Those happen to every iSUP, and as I indicated above the seams on all inflatable paddle boards will fail at some point given enough time and exposure to heat and harsh environmental elements.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.In fact, inflatable paddle boards are more durable, more stable, and are extremely difficult to pop or puncture when compared to non inflatable paddle boards. Not to mention they come with a 2 year warranty! If you’re not convinced yet, hear what our customers have to say about our iSUPs in our iSUP product reviews.
What is the lifespan of an inflatable paddle board?
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. 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.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.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.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.There is a common misconception that inflatable paddle boards will easily “pop” and deflate if slightly touched or hit with a fishing hook. The reality is that the majority of inflatable paddle boards are extremely rigid and durable due to their PVC based outer layer.