How to Choose a Paddle Board
Stand-up paddle boards (SUP) have a place for every water sports lover. It provides an impeccable experience of being on the water. The right board depends on what you want to do with your paddle board, as you not only want your paddle board to stay afloat in the water.
As paddle boards are known for their versatility and practicality, they are ideal for family fun, pets, fitness, yoga, and exploring. Choosing the right paddle board has become extremely important. Paddle boards vary greatly by shape, dimensions, volume & capacity, and type. The differences could affect the perfect board.
Size and shape
Narrower and longer paddle boards are ideal for long-distance travel and experts. Wider boards are better for paddling for beginners, multiple-person paddling, yoga, and fishing as it is more spacious.
Short (Under 10ft.)
For kids and surfingSurfing boards are usually more maneuverable but move slower and are less stable
Medium (10ft. to 12ft.)
All-round useProvide the perfect balance between stability, rigidity, and comfort
Long (12.6ft. to 14ft.)
Ideal for racing and long-distance touring. Streamlined design: typically narrower and pointer Designed for top speed with less paddle effort
2. Volume and capacity
The right paddle board depends on your weight and also the weight of whatever and whoever joins your paddle trip. You can go paddle boarding with your significant other, kid, and pet, considering their weight is important too. An easy way to calculate the perfect capacity is to multiply your body weight (plus your companion and gears) by 1 to 1.4; expert paddlers are more comfortable with paddle boards with lower volume.
3. Solid vs Inflatable
Depending on the paddling activities, the construction style (hard and inflatable) makes a great difference.
If performance is your priority, a solid board is the best choice for you. Solid SUP is commonly made with materials like plastic, wood, foam, and fiberglass. They usually have streamlined designs that provide more variety of shapes and high performance. As solids are thinner and closer to water, they provide better stability no matter riding in flat water or waves.Inflatable SUP is lightweight and compact compared to solid SUP. Inflatables can easily be carried around as they can be stored in large travel bags. Therefore, it is perfect when storage space is limited and carrying for long-distance walks. Because inflatables are softer, they are not only better for yoga but are also preferred for river paddling, as they are more resistant to damage from unexpected rocks.Thickness varies depending on the type of paddle board of your choice, they are generally 4” to 6” thick for the ideal buoyancy. Inflatables are typically thicker than solid paddle boards.
Our ABAHUB Inflatable SUP is a great all-around SUP for beginners and travelers. At a dimension of 10'6 x 34'' x 6'' and max capacity 375LBS, it fits most paddlers. Our package also comes with a variety of gear, including must-have items like an adjustable paddle, fin, and pump. Check it out at ours Amazon store!
