This is what you need to know before you buy your first SUP!
Are you ready to buy your first SUP? Then check out this comprehensive guide so you can make your first purchase — remorse free!
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Stand up paddle boarding is one of the fastest growing activities in the world. And for good reason.
It has a low barrier of entry, it’s open to all ages, it can be easy to learn with the proper instruction, it’s a great workout, it can be relaxing, there are many activities you can try on the water, and it will connect you with nature in a whole new way.
Typically, as soon as someone tries it for the first time, they’re ready to purchase their own board to paddle anytime, anywhere.
However, due to this popularity, the market for boards has been flooded with many different options available for your first purchase.
With so many options, it can be difficult (sometimes almost impossible) to narrow down your purchase to the correct board.
That is, unless you have a little guidance.
If you have taken your first beginner lesson and you’re ready to buy your own board, then find out what you need to know to buy your first SUP by following the guidelines below!
How Do You Want to Use Your Board?
When you’re ready to purchase your first board, the primary question you must ask yourself is, “How do I want to use my board?”
While beginners believe SUP is only for flatwater paddling, this cannot be farther from the truth.
There are many activities you can enjoy while on the water. This can include:
- Fishing
- Yoga
- Surfing
- Touring
- Racing
- Even whitewater river paddling
Most beginner paddlers start on flatwater and will naturally want to move to other activities as they build their experience.
There are boards that can be used for multiple activities and boards that are designed specifically for a certain type of activity.
Once you know what activities you are interested in, you can narrow down your purchase to a certain type of board.
The Different Types of Boards
SUP boards come in all different types of colors, styles, and shapes. Some boards can be used for multiple activities while others only perform in the activity they are designed to be used.
As you decide what activity (or activities) you are interested in, you can then pick a type of board from this list below.
Inflatable v. Harboards
Over the last few years, the market for inflatable boards has exploded. This momentum is mostly due to the increase in quality when it comes to inflatable boards.
In the past, boards were typically made with thin materials and the seams would deteriorate over time. This is no longer the case.
Almost every inflatable board manufacturer has adopted military-grade, drop-stitch technology that uses a thick pvc material with added layers to avoid any leaks or tears.
They’ve become so durable that they’re mainly used in river paddling where they can bounce off rocks, sticks, and other debris, without any issues.
But how do you know what works for you?
Here is a brief breakdown of the two types of boards.
Inflatable boards are…
- Easy to store and travel with
- Lighter to carry
- Durable
- Versatile
Hardboards are...
- Easier and quicker to get on the water
- High-performance and more responsive in the water
- Better in environments for SUP surfing and racing
If you want a full breakdown on the differences to make your choice easier, refer to our previous article, “Inflatable Paddle Boards v. Hardboards.”
All-Around Boards
Typically, all-around boards are 10’6’’x32’’ to 11’4’’x34’’ in length and width with some slight variations.
They have the most common, basic shape, flat bottoms, and are wide enough for beginners to easily balance on. In addition, they work great in all conditions (flat or choppy water) and with all skill levels.
These boards are the most beginner friendly shapes and sizes. If you were to purchase an all-around board you will be happy with its performance for years to come.
This is a great place to start for beginners no matter what activity you are interested in — including as a longboard shape for SUP surfing.
However, because they are not designed to specialize in any specific activity, you may need to buy a different board for high-performance environments as you gain experience.
SUP Surf
SUP surfboards are designed to be high-performance in the ocean, and more specifically, in waves.
They are more narrow, shorter, and with added rocker (the curve in the nose of a board) to help with dropping into waves and carving up the face.
These boards are fantastic to use in the ocean but will not make a great board for flatwater paddling.
Due to the decrease in length and width, they are difficult to balance on when standing still and do not have enough tracking when paddling in flatwater.
Tracking is described as the length a board will move on flatwater with one paddle stroke. The longer a board is, the better it will track. The shorter it is, the more it will move side-to-side instead of straight when paddling.
With a decrease in size and width these boards can make for a great kids board for paddling flatwater but will not perform well in flatwater paddling over long distances.
Purchase a SUP surfboard only if you plan on paddling in the ocean or as a beginner kids board.
SUP Yoga
SUP yoga boards are designed to be used in flatwater while performing yoga poses.
Typically they are wider and thicker in their shapes. This is to create a platform on the water for an increase in balance.
The wider a board is, the easier it is to balance on. The thicker a board is, the more weight it can float which will aid in balance as well.
Because of their increase in width and thickness, these boards are great for balance, paddling short distances, but will struggle if you want to paddle it long distances.
The added width and thickness will make it slower in the water. Purchase a SUP yoga board if you plan on implementing SUP yoga in your exercise routine and only want to paddle short distances.
Touring/Raceboards
Touring and race paddle boards are longer in length to increase tracking, more narrow to increase speed, and will typically have a planing hull (a point nose and pulled in tail) to increase glide with each paddle stroke.
These are the best boards for paddling long distances in flatwater. If you want to explore the coast, paddle distance to increase your cardiovascular health, then a touring or race board is the board designed for you.
Where they may not perform well is in the ocean. As you gain experience you will be able to still paddle long distances past the ocean’s breakers, but as a beginner, a race or touring board will be very difficult to balance on — especially because they are more narrow in width.
Purchase this type of board if you plan on staying in flatwater, want to use your SUP for exercise, and plan on racing in the future.
Fishing SUPs
Yes, there are paddle boards designed for fishing in lakes, rivers, and the ocean. And it’s one of the fastest growing sections of SUP!
As you might guess, fishing paddle boards are big. They have an increase in width, thickness, and even length. This is to accommodate your gear while on the water — coolers, fishing rods, tackle boxes, and more!
These boards can be used in the ocean for fishing but will not perform well as a SUP surfboard. This is due to their thick rails and an increase in length which makes them perfect balance on but difficult to turn on a wave.
Purchase a SUP fishing board if you are interested in catching the big one on the water, still want to paddle long distances, but don’t want to SUP surf.
Whitewater River SUPs
Whitewater paddle boards are made of two types of materials — a heavy plastic mold or inflatable fabric.
The heavy plastic mold boards are the most durable boards on the market. They can take a beating and keep on going. But with this added durability comes plenty of weight. These boards are heavy. As such, they are difficult to transport to and from the water and even more difficult to load onto your roof rack.
Unless you are a hardcore whitewater river paddler, we suggest you pass on this type of board.
Instead, if you want to paddle rivers, opt for an inflatable board. As we’ve already mentioned, these boards are not built tough. They can bounce off all types of rocks and debris without so much as a mark.
If your main choice of paddling environment is a river, opt for an inflatable board.
Your Body Size and Board Size
After you decide on the types of activities you want to try on your SUP, you need to take an honest assessment of your body size and athletic ability.
As we’ve already learned, boards come in a variety of shapes and sizes. As such, not every board will work for every paddler.
Think of your ideal SUP size in terms of volume. The more volume the board has, the more it can float, the easier it will be to paddle right away. This includes every type of board from SUP surfing to touring.
If you are a true beginner and struggle with balance, or if you are a bigger person, you will need a board that has more volume (thickness and width) when it comes to buying your first SUP.
There are two ways to determine what volume you need to be successful. First, you can take a look at a board manufacturer’s website. They will have the volume required to float your corresponding weight listed on their site.
While this method usually works great, the best way to know what thickness and width you need is to try a board before you buy. You can do this during your first beginner lesson or even better, demo the board you are looking to buy from your local shop or outfitter.
Most shops will charge a small fee to demo a board, or they will hold demo days during the year.
To find a shop or outfitter near you, head to our SUP Search section on Perfect Paddles, type in your address, and you can contact the outfitters listed below!
Carbon Fiber Paddle vs. Fiberglass or Aluminum
As you scour the internet researching what to look for in order to buy your first SUP, there is one aspect of the buying process that is often overlooked.
The paddle.
Never ignore your paddle purchase and opt for the cheapest one available when you buy a SUP! While this might be tempting, the paddle is just as important (and sometimes even more important) as the type of board you purchase.
Most beginner boards will come standard with an aluminum paddle. These paddlers are heavy, don’t enter or exit the water with ease, and will put unnecessary pressure on your shoulders. Especially on long distance trips.
Keep these paddles for your friends and family if they want to test out your board. But always opt for the paddle upgrade.
This can be in the form of a fiberglass paddle and the best of the best — a fully carbon fiber paddle.
Fiberglass paddles are lighter than their aluminum paddle counterparts. However, they are not the lightest. You will find the most paddling pleasure with a fully-carbon fiber paddle. These paddles weigh just mere ounces compared to the few pounds of an aluminum version.
If you don’t think this makes a huge difference — demo a carbon fiber paddle when you test out your board and feel the difference first hand!
Of course, carbon fiber paddles will be the most costly so if you want to stay within your budget, a fiberglass paddle can be just as good to begin when you are ready to buy your first SUP.
To learn more about the differences between carbon fiber paddles and fiberglass/aluminum paddles refer to our previous article, “Carbon Fiber Paddles and Boards: Worth the Hype?”
Storing Your Board
One of the considerations most beginners fail to make is where they are going to store their SUP.
While 10’6’’ to 14’ may not look very big in the water, outside of it, they’re huge! And require plenty of room for storage.
In addition, paddle boards cannot be stored outside in the elements. The sun will damage the board and can sometimes cause the glue that holds the fiberglass, or bamboo materials, to melt and separate from the foam core. This is a costly repair.
It’s also the case with inflatable boards. If you leave an inflatable board inflated and sitting in the sun, it can cause the air to expand and will damage the seams or the pvc material.
Before you purchase your first SUP, always consider where you will need to store it out of the elements. If you have plenty of garage space, then you can purchase any board you like.
If you don’t have the space, you may need to opt for an inflatable board. These boards can be inflated and deflated with ease after each use, rolled up, placed in their carrying case, and stored in your garage or even an inside closet with ease!
If you are lacking space, opt for an inflatable board.
Your Budget
Whenever you make a large purchase, especially when you plan to buy your first SUP, you always have to consider your budget.
In a bid to save money, some beginners will purchase their first board from Amazon or Costco for the low prices of anywhere from $250-$400.
At first, this might seem like a great way to get into SUP without breaking the bank. But over time, this proves to be false.
Cheap Costco and Amazon boards are made with inferior materials. After repeated use or time spent in the elements, you will start to notice it breaking down. Most of the time, these boards will not last one season without having to be repaired (which can be costly). Or replaced (which will leave you spending the same amount as you would have for a better board).
Take this as a warning — if you go too cheap for your first board, you will most likely end up buying two boards, causing you to spend more than you would with a one-time purchase of a high-quality board.
Used Boards
You can opt for a used board if you have a small budget and still want to purchase a decent board. If you do go this route, make sure you are buying from a seller who is qualified. And one that you know took great care of their boards.
How do you find these sellers? Think Paddling Professionals or outfitters.
At the end of a season, outfitters across the country are selling off their shop boards for heavy discounts. You know they took great care of their boards because they need them throughout the year for their customers. And they will be honest about any flaws that may have happened throughout the year.
To find an outfitter you can contact about used boards for you to buy your first SUP, head to our SUP Search section on Perfect Paddles. Type in your location. And you will be presented with a list of qualified outfitters waiting to help you out!
Unable to Find Gear New You?
Board and equipment scarcity can be a real problem for beginning stand up paddlers. Especially this year with supply chain problems and shortages. It's possible you've already tried to buy your first SUP, for yourself, a friend, or a family member on any used gear sites.
Or maybe you've been working the phones, contacting old paddling buddies about their gear, and you're just not getting the options you were hoping for.
If this sounds like you — this is a great time to consider a membership to Perfect Paddles. With a membership you will receive discounts on:
- Gear Rentals
- Lessons
- Board demos
- Even discounts on trips held all over the world!
You can make this an opportunity to up your SUP game with more lessons, try out gear from your local Paddle Pro — all at a discounted rate!
Ready to Buy Your First SUP?
If after reading this you still have questions about how to buy your first SUP, reach out to the team at Perfect Paddles! We are a group of Paddling Professionals with the experience and willingness to help with your decision. We want you to hit the water knowing you picked the right board for your body size. The activity you want to do. And within your budget!
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