What to look out for when buying a 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. 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.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.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.Almost everything about an inflatable makes it more suitable than a hardboard for beginners. 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.
What is the trick to paddle boarding?
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. Paddleboarding is one of the easier water sports you can learn to do. It’s like surfing as there’s a large board you stand on, but that’s where the similarities end.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.Inflatables are the obvious choice over hard boards for SUP yoga. An inflatable SUP has a softer surface which is much easier on the body than a hard epoxy surface.No — in many cases, inflatables are actually easier to balance on. Thanks to their extra width, thickness, and forgiving deck, modern inflatable SUPs provide stability that helps new paddlers gain confidence quickly.Also – keep your paddle near the water and ready to help provide a bracing stroke to help you balance. Not only does this naturally lower your centre of gravity, but the paddle in the water forms a third point in a ‘triangle of stability’ that makes you much more difficult to spill off the board.
When not to paddleboard?
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. The cheaper inflatable paddle boards in the market tend to be constructed with glued seams which over time and constant inflating, deflating, folding up, and unfolding tend to loosen and cause punctures. This is dangerous. There’s nothing worse than being out on the water and realising that your board is deflating!Surf 9 Recalls Body Glove Tandem and ULI Inflatable Paddle Boards Due to Drowning Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Costco | CPSC.
Should I wear water shoes when paddle boarding?
While you can certainly paddleboard barefoot, a good pair of water shoes will keep your feet better protected when getting in and out of the water, especially along rocky shores. Do I need shoes for SUP? While you can certainly paddleboard barefoot, a good pair of water shoes will keep your feet better protected when getting in and out of the water, especially along rocky shores.