Paddleboarding has risen in popularity among water sports because of its simplicity and the overall physical workout you can get from the activity. It is also one of the great ways to reconnect with nature or enjoy some quality time with your loved ones. If you’ve rented out paddleboards from shops before and have taken a liking to the sport then getting your own would be the next logical step. Here are some useful tips for buying your first paddleboard:
- What Are SUPs?
A “stand up paddle board” combines kayaking and surfing wherein the user stands on a paddle board and propels himself using a paddle. The boards are bigger in length and width than most surfboards making it more buoyant, which provides more balance for the user.
2. Different Types of Boards
There are a lot of types in the market today, if you’re a beginner in the sport, you’ll most likely have to identify three basic types:
a. Surf
This type of board has narrower nose and tail than the other types. They are perfect if you spend time surfing and maneuver over and around the waves. However, because of its width it’s less stable and doesn’t track a straight line on waters with less waves.
b. Allround
These boards are best for beginners because they are wider and thicker than most types of boards, particularly the surf type. They are versatile and allow you to learn the sport and its other aspects with ease. You can glide easier on flatwater and ocean touring and the design allows you to have a decent sidecut for when you want to surf. You can also have the windsurf option where you’ll have a foot fitting on the deck of the board to mount a windsurf sailing rig.
c. Flatwater
Perhaps the most popular of the three major types, the flatwater board is longer than allround boards with a pointed nose to cut through the water nicely which helps in getting a better forward thrust. The sides allow you to glide faster with its round design.
A beginner can also benefit from this type as they are stable and many are fitted with new designs for different paddleboarding activities. The versatility of the flatwater design allows new types including this pedal board wherein you don’t need a paddle to propel yourself. If you want to have a great workout outside a gym environment, this new variant allows you to hit major muscle groups while enjoying the experience of being in the water.
3. Solid vs. Inflatable
Choosing between a solid and an inflatable paddleboard depends on your own usage. A solid paddle board is made up of different materials including foam, fiberglass, kevlar, etc. With a solid board, you’re always ready to go into the water, you will also be more stable against wind and waves, and lastly a solid board surpasses inflatable boards in agility, speed, and the ability to do tricks.
Inflatable boards are manufactured using layers of PVC plastic woven to the top, sides, and at the bottom of the board. Once inflated they are sturdy and rigid providing great stability for the user. These boards are great for beginners and work well in different conditions. You won’t have to worry about transportation as it can easily fit into reasonable spaces. This board is good for when you’re traveling to different locations across different types of water conditions.
4. Size of Board
When sizing up for your board, there’s a formula based on your weight to get the right volume and length of the board. For example, a beginner will compute the volume required by multiplying their weight in kilograms by 2 and an advanced user will multiply the same weight by 1.3. The length is determined using a chart and the weight of the user, in other words the heavier the person is the longer the board has to be. However, the typical minimum and maximum length of a paddleboard is 9 feet and 12 feet respectively.
5. Type of Paddle
The paddle allows you to move yourself while on the board, it is also an essential tool for the sport. It has three components: the handle, shaft, and the blade. The handle has to be ergonomic, the shaft also has to be light so many of them are made from aluminum, glass fiber, or carbon. And lastly, the blade, depending on its dimensions you’ll be able to displace more water to give more power to thrusts, but that will also make them heavier to paddle. A beginner’s blade will have the right balance between power and speed. The height of the paddle is also a factor, generally an extra length of around 8 to 10 inches is used for flatwater while 10 to 12 inches is preferable when racing.
Paddleboarding is not a complicated sport, which makes it attractive to those who are starting out in various watersports. They are also fun to do in various bodies of water and almost everyone can do it regardless of age and physical ability. Some people are now using them as an alternative to traditional exercises and water activities.