Choosing a Paddleboard

What board is right for me?

There are so many shapes, sizes and varieties of SUP boards around at the moment. If you are reading this page, then the chances are that you are in your first couple years of Paddleboarding and we hope to give you some guidance. To help you weave through a raft of online information, we have condensed it down to four key things you should consider when purchasing a Paddleboard.

• Person – What is your ability on the water and confidence in paddling? You will need to consider this as beginners will generally go for a wider board (32” / 81cm) as they provide a lot more stability. You will also need to consider the maximum recommended board weight, as these can range from about 80kgs (12 stone) up to 170kgs (26 stone).
• Place – Where are you going to be paddling? Are you going to be on coastal tours, or just chilling around the harbour? If you are buying a board to chill out and watch the sunset, and primarily going to be on flat water, or in calm lakes / rivers, then you will want to consider an All Rounder board. If you are wanting to go further afield, around the coast or paddle in choppier conditions, then you will likely be better off with a Touring board.
• Purpose – Why are you buying a board? Are you someone who is a first timer wanting to try out the sport, or are you more experienced and wanting to take the next step on your SUP journey? If you already have an All Rounder board and want to upgrade to a Touring or Race board to then you will also need to consider whether you want to prioritise speed, stability and the price you want to spend.
• Price – Entry level boards can range from about £250 – £800. While boards vary massively by quality and generally you get what you pay for, you don’t need to spend £800 to get a good board. We have priced our boards at a point which is hopefully affordable for most people, with no compromise on board quality. Where the more expensive brands justify their pricing is in the accessories, for example by providing dual cylinder pumps and carbon paddles as standard, and of course their reputation allows them to charge a premium.

We hope this summary has helped enable you to make an informed decision about what sort of board is right for you. If you still have questions, please feel free to send us a message via the Contact Us page.