Whether you are keen on catching waves in the ocean or just paddling on a peaceful lake, a stand-up paddleboard is something you need. They are great if you are an adventurous type, or if you love to relax on the water.
But the most important thing, whatever you want to do with your board is to choose the right one. If you don’t know which one you should get, we are going to help you and introduce you to the board types and other things you should consider when buying a paddleboard.
When trying to choose the right board the most important thing that you should consider is what best suits you. You need to think about how you’re going to use the board and how you want it to handle in the water.
Hull Types
Hull is the body of a paddleboard. The body is important and plays a major role in determining how the board will perform when it’s in the water.
There are two types of hulls, a planing hull, and a displacement hull, and there are some hybrid designs that combine both of the types.
A planing hull is wide and flat, and it looks and is similar to a surfboard. They are very maneuverable and they are best if you plan to use it for leisure paddling, surfing, and SUP yoga.
Displacement hulls have a pointed front end, and they look like a canoe. The shape of the front end is responsible for fast slicing through the water and smoother rides. With this design, you can go longer distances. They are fast but less maneuverable than planing hulls. If you need a fast board you should get this one, and you can use it for racing or fitness paddling. You can read more about it on Paddling Waves.
Solid and Inflatable SUPs
Again there are two types of SUPs that you can choose from, a solid one or an inflatable one.
When it comes to solid ones, you can choose from various materials. There are carbon fiber ones, which are light and excellent, a can be a great pick, but only if you have enough money to spend. If you are on a budget you can decide on a plastic SUP, but you should know that they can be very heavy. But most other boards have an EPS foam core that’s covered with fiberglass and epoxy. The price of these boards is fair and they are lightweight and durable.
You should get a solid one if you want to paddle fast and smooth. You can choose from many sizes and use your board for whatever you want. They are also more stable than inflatable ones.
Inflatable SUPs have a PVS exterior with drop-stitch construction and you inflate them with a pump. They are great if you have limited storage space and you don’t have a place to put a solid board, or you are tired of transporting a solid board. Another great thing about them is that you can pack them in a bag and carry them wherever you travel. SUP yoga is very popular and if you are into that you should know that the inflatable boards are softer and more comfortable for doing yoga than the solid ones.
Important things to know when buying a SUP board
There are a few more things that you need to know and you will be able to buy a perfect board for you.
You should think about your size before buying a board. Why? Because you need to be supported well and the board needs to be stable, and that will happen if it displaces the correct amount of water for your weight. The stability is affected by board volume and weight capacity, and they are determined by the length, width, and thickness of the board.
When it comes to the length of the board the choice should depend on your preferences. Shorter boards are perfect if you want something that is highly maneuverable, and longer ones are the best for fast paddling and racing.
Short boards are great for kids or for surfing, medium ones are great for everything and especially for SUP yoga, and long ones are perfect for long-distance touring and fast paddling. Longer boards are also often more stable than short ones.
Thickness is also important, and the reason for that is again how it affects the overall volume and weight capacity. If you are a small person you can choose a thin board because it will keep the overall volume of the board lower and you will get the most efficient performance. And if you are a bigger person go with a thicker one.
When you find the perfect board, you are not done yet. Here are a few more things you need.
You need a paddle, and a SUP paddle looks like a stretched-out canoe paddle with a tear-drop-shaped blade. You should know that the right fit and the correct length of the paddle is when it reaches up to your wrist when you stan the paddle up in front of you and raise your arm above your head.
A leash is sold separately from the board, but they are something that you need to have always. They will keep you close to your paddleboard if you fall and they are mainly there for safety reasons. You need to choose the correct one because there are different ones for surf, rivers and flatwater.
Paddleboards are classified as vessels when they are used outside the narrow limits of swimming and surfing areas and in those cases, you are required to wear a PFD, and you need to carry a safety whistle and you need to have a light if you are paddling after sunset and in the dark.
Now you are ready to buy your next SUP board that will be the perfect fit for you. Have fun and be safe.
