Sup buyers guide 2014

Not too long ago, it would have been unusual to find a stand up paddle board (SUP) in the water. I know personally that when friends of mine began getting into SUPs, we used to let them have a bit of stick over it. Funnily enough, some years later I often hit the water more on my SUP than my surfboard!

Though it still takes time to learn, the learning curve on using a SUP is really a lot less steep than learning to surf. Admittedly, you would be best to learn to ride a SUP on flat water to begin with; it will not take very long to get in the ocean waves, should that be what you are seeking to do.

But where do start out with regards to buying a stand up paddle board? Well, it really is dependent on what type of paddling you wish to do. You will need to think about where you're most likely to be using your stand up paddle board. If you are living close to a lake, it'd seem sensible to buy a flat water SUP. Likewise, if you reside close to the ocean, a surfing SUP would be more ideal for you.
This SUP buyers guide will provide you with an insight into the different types of boards, which will assist you to make an easier decision on what SUP would be best for you.

SUP buyers guide - Types of stand up paddle boards

All arounders
These boards are great for those who are just beginning on a SUP, or who require a board that can surf both small waves and paddle across flat water (such as lakes). They usually can be found in lengths of 10 foot 6 inches (10’6”) to twelve foot (12’). Widths cover anything from thirty inches (30”) to thirty six inches (36”). For those who are looking primarily to paddle across lakes, then go as wide and long as is possible, because this will provide you with the best stability. If you're looking to hit the surf, you will need a shorter board that's not as wide.

Remember, these types of boards aren't intended for extreme flat water racing, or large waves – they're constructed to help you get the best of both worlds.

Surfing SUPs
If you're looking to only surf waves with your SUP, you then want to go shorter in length (something less than 10 foot – 10’ - is a great starting point). Should you be coming off a surfboard, then selecting a narrow board should be perfectly fine, however for those just starting out, you will want a decent width to help with stability. Thirty—thirty two inch (30”-32”) is an ideal place to start.
These boards are usually based off their surfboard cousins in terms of design – lots of rocker (the curvature of the board toward the nose), narrow tails, and different fin configurations.

Yoga sups
For those of you seeking to get into stand up paddle board yoga (SUP Yoga), you are looking for a wide board for lots of stability. Ideally you will need a fairly flat board with minimal rocker, as well as a comfortable deck pad. Some Yoga SUPs have quite a square look – this makes them very steady within the water, but keep in mind it is not built to paddle much more than out to a suitable spot just offshore to practice your yoga.

Another good option for SUP Yoga is by using an inflatable paddle stand up paddle board.

SUP buyers guide recommendation: Tower Xplorer 14′ Inflatable Paddle Board

Racing sups
These kinds of boards are usually much longer than regular SUPs, and are also a lot less wide. They vary from 12 foot (12’) through to eighteen foot (18’) in length. Widths usually vary from twenty five inches (25”) through to thirty two inches (32”).

These boards have to plane through the water at high speed, and make use of many design techniques taken from sailing. They tend to use displacement hulls (indicated by their pointed nose), which allow the board to “slice” through the water.

These boards are typically more pricey, and are not necessarily designed for beginner use.

Touring/flat water sups
These sorts of boards are meant for use on open flat water. After you have got up to speed, it's a lot easier to continue with little effort. These boards are over ten foot six inches (10’6”) and most include tie downs and storage areas, which can also make these a fantastic choice for those that want to try their hand at fishing from a SUP.

SUP buyers guide recommendation: Keeper 10’6″ Sports Stand Up Paddle Board

Inflatable SUPs
A relatively recent inclusion to the stand up paddle board family, the inflatable SUP is a great choice for people that might not have much storage area, or trouble hauling a regular size SUP both to and from the water. Inflatable SUPs can fold away to a small size of approx. thirty two inches (32”) in many cases, and the majority of feature a storage bag of some kind.

When inflated to their suggested PSI, these boards are as stable as their fibreglass/epoxy counterparts. The fact is, some inflatable SUPs can be hard to distinguish from regular paddle boards.
These boards also make good SUP yoga boards.

SUP buyers guide recommendation: Tower Adventurer 9’10” Inflatable SUP

Paddles
Most SUPs come with paddles, but the majority of these paddles are made of aluminium. These are definitely perfectly fine in most cases, but tend to be heavy, do not float and are vulnerable to corrosion if not washed after use in salt water. A good alternative is a carbon fiber paddle. These stand up paddle board paddles are lightweight, float and don't get affected by salt water. They will cost more, but if you are looking to get the best from your paddling, it might be worth considering one of these as an investment.

Conclusion

Hopefully this SUP buyers guide was helpful to you. Just remember to be truthful with yourself about your skill level, and what it is you want to get out of stand up paddle boarding, and you are sure to make the right selection!