Paddleboarding is a water sport that is becoming increasingly popular in recent years. If you are thinking about buying a paddleboard you will soon see that there are tonnes of options to choose from.
This can be a bit overwhelming, especially as a first-time buyer, but look no further as this article will tell you five things to keep in mind when shopping for a paddleboard.
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1. Who Is It For?
First and foremost, you have to know who you are buying for. So, are you buying for yourself, buying it as a gift for a friend, or are you buying it for a child.
Each of these is relevant because sizing is really important when it comes to buying paddleboards. If you are buying for a child, there are stand-up paddle (SUP) boards designed specifically for children, and these tend to be 10 feet long or shorter.
Another thing to note is that while most boards are unisex and not gendered, there is the option to explore ‘women’s paddle boards’.
This tends to be useful if you are a woman struggling with finding the right size of board among general choices.
2. Type of SUP Board
There are four main types of paddleboards, so depending on what you enjoy doing most on the water with your board, this will determine which type you should get.
Below we will go through each of the four types of boards and their typical uses.
- Surf: surf paddleboards are shorter in length, and are designed with a narrower top and tail of the board. Generally, you will use this board if you plan to spend the majority of your time in the surf.
- Allround: the allround boards tend to be the go-to for beginners as they are versatile, and they are wide enough to keep you stable.
- The versatility of this style of the board makes it a great option for all skill levels, however, beginners tend to like it as it means they can test out the different uses, such as racing or surfing.
- Flatwater: these boards are used in flat, open waters. The nose of the board is pointed for speed and to cut through the water with ease.
- Also, these boards tend to be a popular choice for beginners as the width of these boards makes users feel nice and stable.
- Race: The race board is within the same branch as the flatwater board, however, it has a more pointed nose and a narrow width making it the speedier board of the bunch.
3. Size of SUP Board
Sizing is a very important aspect of finding the right paddle board for you. The three things you need to consider are length, width, and thickness.
These three measurements calculate the volume and weight capacity, so as you can imagine it is pretty important to find a board that can take your weight. Otherwise, you are going to feel unstable on your board and it won’t travel as well through the water. To get more in-depth information on the different sizes of boards, go to https://www.standuppaddleboardsreview.com/ and give their SUP size calculator a go. It is worth noting that the size of the board you get might also depend on your skill level.
For example, if you are a well-seasoned pro you might prefer to use a narrower, faster SUP, whereas if you are a beginner you will likely want a wider board to help give you that extra stability.
4. Do You Want a Solid or Inflatable Board?
The next thing to keep in mind when shopping for a paddleboard is whether you want to opt for a solid or inflatable board. The solid boards are made from a variety of materials including, foam, fiberglass, wood, and plastics.
The perks of using a solid board are that you do not have to waste any time inflating it and you can get straight into the water.
Also, these boards are more stable in harder water conditions, particularly when the water is choppy due to strong winds. If you have a bit of need for speed or you want to work on your tricks and agility then solid SUPs are the one for you. Inflatable SUP Boards are made using PVC plastic with woven fibers, these boards are generally lighter than the solid ones as they are mostly air. The word inflatable can confuse buyers because they think of an inflatable lilo, however, this is so far from the reality as the inflatable SUPs can be incredibly rigid.
A great benefit of the inflatable option is that it can be easily transported and even packed into a backpack.
This is ideal for those who want to take their boards abroad as you can compact it down to a size that fits easily into the airline's hold allowance. Additionally, if you are shopping on a budget then the inflatable boards are more affordable than the solid SUPs.
5. Price and Warranty
You should have a realistic budget in mind before you hit the shops and hope to find your board.
Paddleboards can vary in price massively, with your higher-end ones costing around $2000 and your cheaper ones going at $200.
The key thing to remember is that expensive doesn’t necessarily mean it is right for you. The more expensive boards tend to be designed for professional paddleboarders. So don’t overspend, especially if you are someone just starting out as you might not even end up liking paddleboarding in the long run. Another thing to look out for is the warranty of your board, if it comes with a short warranty such as a 30 or 60-day warranty, this is a red flag and probably means it is not as well made as other boards. Bear this in mind, as having a longer warranty can save you a lot of money and hassle down the line if anything goes wrong.
With these points in mind, hopefully, you will have a better idea of what you should be looking for when it comes to shopping for a paddleboard.