How to Choose the Best Stand Up Paddle Board
There is no better way to explore the waterways around you than riding on a paddle board. It offers a great way to perform your workouts while having fun. The SUP can be used to perform various functions such as fishing, Yoga, surf, or used for leisure travel. There are various factors that come into play when you’re deciding what board is best for you.
Here is everything you require to know about selecting the best paddle board for you.
Paddle boards for Different Types of Uses
Flatwater
Flat water such as ponds, lakes, and marshes offers a great opportunity for beginners to learn various paddling techniques. All round paddle boards are an ideal choice for flatwater due to their wide and large deck pad that guarantees stability. Also, the intermediary paddlers can be able to use this type of paddle boards.
Large Lakes, Oceans, and Bays
The lakes, oceans, and bays offer an excellent chance to explore and cover long distance. The touring models are an excellent choice for expert and intermediate paddlers that look to travel longer distances more effectively than other conventional surf form shapes. These types of models feature a minor displacement hull, permitting them to slide on water and carry more speed over long distances. If you’re that person who adore long distance paddling and exploring oceans, lakes, and bays is your stuff, then you need to buy a touring board.
Waves
Looking for a SUP that are great for wave riding and are exceedingly maneuverable due to their planning hull, then you need to buy a Surfing Sup. They’re wide, and tapers towards the edges of the paddle board allowing for sharper turns and banking.
Any location
If you’re looking for a paddle board that you can ride it anywhere, then you need to consider buying an inflatable paddle board. They’re cheap and offer the comfort that you need to enjoy the sport. It is portable and you can deflate it and pack down to the size of a sleeping bag quickly. The inflatable SUPs are durable, portable, and economical. A beginner or an intermediate can use it effectively.
For Different Experience of a Paddle Boarder
Beginner
As a beginner, you need to learn important tips of paddling and just have fun. Calm waters such as lakes and ponds offer the perfect conditions to help you learn the tricks. For beginners, you will need a wider board as it is more stable. It is recommended that you either buy an inflatable SUP or an all round SUP models as they offer your stability.
Experienced
An experienced paddle boarder has spent a considerable amount of time to learn new skills and they’ve already recognized their favorite locations to paddle. Thus, they’re focused with advanced features such as speed, glide, maneuverability, and efficiency. Other experienced paddlers will use their boards to perform their hobbies such as fishing and Yoga. If you’re experienced, you can check to purchase a racing, surfing, or touring SUP models.
Choosing The Right Size Board
What is the right size board for you? I’m sure that you need a SUP board that has enough volume based on your experience and weight. If you’re heavy for a particular board, you’ll sit lower creating more drag and making it hard to pick up speed.
Regardless of your weight, there is a paddle board that can carry diverse types of weight. It is true that the weight of your paddle board and any other gear you carry with you to the water are factored in your purchase. The width, thickness, and lengths is a perfect consideration when buying a paddle board.
Selecting the right size will require that you buy the right size by referencing the trader’s weight/size charts. Ensure that you take a look of the chart before selecting your size board.
Fin Set Ups
Before selecting a SUP board, you need to understand different fin setups when you’re choosing a SUP.
Single Fin
Most paddle boards have one large fin that sits unswervingly n the back center of the paddle board near the tail. The fin can range 10” in length and can assist to face the wave while surfing or track the board on flat water.
2 Plus 1
This is a popular form of fins in paddle board. It entails a big single fin that measures 8” to 10” in the center, and 2 little side fins 3” to 4” on the right and left. The side bites assist the paddle board track effectively through turns while you’re surfing on the wave, and assist the tail to hold the wave face.
Quad Fins
The Quad fins are 4 fins in total with a big and small fin fixed along the rail on both sides of the tail. The quads fins assist the paddle board drive in slow spots due to the lack of haul from a center fin, and also assist the board grasp and track on hollow waves because the fins are located along the rail line.
Other important factors
- Durability
Boards should have a sturdy construction so that it can last long. Try to avoid a situation where you buy an inferior board that wear and tear easily. Research on a variety of paddle boards construction and material used before you make a choice. It is better to buy a slightly priced board that can serve you well.
- Other Activities
Besides surfing, what else can you do with your paddle board? Consider buying an all round paddle board that can allow you perform yoga, fishing, or any other event that flavors your outdoor outing.
- Pricing
Who doesn’t want a paddle board that is cheap but with higher performance? You can find a good paddle board under $500 but you need to exercise a lot of caution with this kind of boards. Nonetheless, if you want to be safe, you can look for a board that cost $800-$1000. The boards with that price tag are well constructed and will offer the much needed performance
Final Thoughts
There is much that you can look for in a paddle board. However, the factors that we have highlighted here are the most significant. For us, an inflatable paddle board has more benefits than other forms of paddle boards and need to be embraced. Hopefully, you will get a board that will make you fall in love with this thrilling sport.
