Fancy Stand Up Paddle? Here's how to choose the right board

Stand Up Paddle, otherwise known as SUP, is one of the most exciting, popular and appreciated watersports of recent years.
If you're taking the plunge into the sport now, don't miss this SUP guide for beginners where you'll find answers to all your questions on how to get started and what equipment will get you gliding smoothly over the waves. Find out how to choose the Sup. 

What is Sup

Originating in the Hawaiian Islands, with the Sup one sails standing or kneeling on a board that is similar to a surfboard, but unlike the latter offers the rider more volume, hence more stability and balance. A single blade paddle is used for propulsion, usually with an adjustable handle to suit the height of the paddler.

Practising Sup is a lot of fun, fulfilling and provides unique thrills. These boards offer the possibility of sailing with a light and space-saving equipment and can be used at the sea as well as on lakes, rivers and lagoons.

They are ideal for leisurely rides and excursions, but can become extremely exciting and adrenalin-pumping in waves and generally offer an excellent workout for the whole body. Finally, learning the basics of this discipline is really easy and within the reach of anyone. If you are a neophyte and would like to enter the world of stand-up paddling, here are some tips for choosing the right board for you. Ready to choose your Sup?

Surfing style: which one do you prefer?

To ensure that your Stand Up Paddle experience is completely fun and safe, the first step is to know how to choose a Sup board that is comfortable, performs well and suits your needs. Before delving into the specific characteristics of the various models on the market, it is a good idea to focus on the style of surfing you prefer to practise.

Here's how to choose your Sup. The models of Stand Up Paddle boards proposed by kiteworldshop.com are many and various to satisfy all needs: they range from the comfortable and essential ones suitable for beginners, such as the STX Freeride 11'6" Inflatable SUP Package, to the sophisticated ones dedicated to the more experienced ready to ride the waves at full speed, such as the JP Surf PRO 7'2’ SUP; passing through many intermediate possibilities. There are so-called “Allround” SUPs, i.e. designed for surfing in all conditions, or “Wave” models for surfing waves, such as the Fanatic AllWave 7'9" SUP, and even “Touring” models, such as the Naish Touring 10'8" Inflatable SUP that lend themselves to long rides and excursions in flat water.
Finally, there are the “Race” boards, such as the JP GT-S BIAX 12'6" SUP dedicated to those who love competition and designed primarily to go fast.

The most important choice: rigid or inflatable board

Another big distinction to make is the choice between a rigid or inflatable sup board. To know how to choose the right sup let's look at the characteristics of both types.

Rigid boards

In its traditional configuration, the Stand Up Paddle starts out as a rigid board that guarantees maximum performance. Rigid boards are generally slightly more expensive, delicate and can have two types of construction. The best performing ones are made of epoxy resin (Epoxy), a very resistant material finished with a special paint called “gelcoat”. This type of board is not afraid of dents, but it is subject to minor paint flaking and does not absorb shocks.
Standard hardboards, on the other hand, are made of polyester, a softer material that is easier to repair with DIY kits. In short, hardboards are ideal for those who want high performance, have no stowage problems, can afford to spend a lot of money and want a board that is ready and responsive underfoot, just like a surfboard.

Inflatable boards

What to know before choosing an inflatable Sup. Also called “Air Sup”, inflatable boards are made of PVC, are very good value for money, are very versatile and are now increasingly similar to hard boards in terms of performance. But the real big advantage of an inflatable Sup is that it inflates in a few minutes and when deflated you can easily store it in the dedicated board bag, thus taking up very little space and weighing very little. So it can be comfortably transported in a car, on a motorbike, on a bike, on a skateboard or on a small boat or yacht. Not to mention that thanks to the “Drop-Stitch” technology involving thousands of filaments of fabric welded to the ends of the laminated PVC with which the ‘Air Sup’ is constructed, once the ideal pressure of 15PS is reached the inflatable stand-up paddle has nothing to envy in terms of hardness and responsiveness to a rigid board.

Board size and thickness

Once the surfing style has been defined and the choice between a rigid or inflatable board has been made, all that remains is to focus on the size of the Sup and the shape of the various models.

As for length, this is an essential parameter because it directly affects the manoeuvrability of your board. The shorter a Sup is, the more manoeuvrable and responsive it is to the smallest movements of the paddle. Conversely, the longer the Sup, the faster and more comfortable it will be, but the harder it will be to turn. Most people initially buy a 10'6’ all-round board, which is ideal for short distance sailing, but also for waves and having fun with friends and family. If, on the other hand, you want to cover longer distances, then you should opt for a Touring board. This usually starts at 12'6’, is longer and narrower and allows you to glide over the water more easily.

As for the width, the average width is 76 cm. But there are also wider widths that make the board more stable and are designed for riders weighing over 100 kg. Narrower boards naturally offer less friction on the water and better performance. Finally, the thickness of a Sup is an essential element. Modern boards offer three different thicknesses: 10, 12 and 15 cm. For beginners/intermediates and paddlers weighing less than 85 kg, 10 cm boards are excellent. While for heavier riders we recommend a 15 cm thick Sup.

Photo Credit

Photo 1: FANATIC

Photo 2: JP AUSTRALIA

Photo 3: RRD

Photo 4: STX

Photo 5: JOBE