Purchasing a SUP Board

SUP stands for ‘stand-up paddling’ and is rapidly becoming a popular water sport. If you're considering acquiring a board, there are several factors to contemplate. Information is available on both solid SUP boards and inflatable options.

1. Categories of SUP Boards

As is true with most sports equipment, identifying your intended use is essential to select the perfect board. There are several primary types, including surf SUP boards, allround boards, flatwater (touring), and race SUP boards. From these categories, variations exist, such as allround windsurf SUP boards or Yoga boards, which are generally larger and broader versions of allround boards.

Surf SUP boards are characteristically shorter, with a narrower nose and tail, and possess more rocker (which refers to the curve at the nose and tail) than other board types. This design enhances maneuverability, especially for surfing waves, although it may compromise stability and directional control on flatwater.
Allround boards typically offer more width, length, and thickness than surf SUPs. As suggested by their name, these boards are versatile and ideal for beginners to experience the various facets of SUPing. They provide stability and smooth gliding on flatwater, while still having a sufficient rocker for wave action. For newcomers, an allround board serves as a great introductory purchase.
Flatwater boards (also known as touring) are crafted for smooth paddling on tranquil waters. They can also be used on the sea, given suitable conditions. Their design—featuring a sharp nose and extended deck—facilitates effortless water slicing and smooth gliding. They are sufficiently wide for beginners, making them a good choice for those uninterested in wave-catching.
Race boards share similarities with flatwater boards in length and sharpness of the nose but tend to be narrower for enhanced speed. Due to their demanding balance requirements, these boards may not be suitable for novices.

2. Size of the Board: Length and Volume

Selecting the appropriate board size involves considering two crucial factors: volume and length. The volume (measured in litres) indicates the board's capacity to support weight and is determined according to your body weight. A greater volume implies the ability to carry more weight, hence beginners generally prefer boards with higher volume for increased stability and buoyancy.

The fundamental principle is that one litre of volume displaces one litre of water, providing a one-kilogram lift. Thus, a litre of board volume can support one kilogram of weight. For those just starting out, it is advisable to opt for a board with twice the volume compared to your weight. For instance, a person weighing 88 kilograms should choose a board with approximately 176 litres of volume.

Next, ascertain the length, which is measured in feet and inches (e.g., 10’8’’ signifies 10 feet and 8 inches). This depends on both your chosen board type (surf, flatwater, allround, race) and your weight. While longer boards offer speed and stability, shorter ones excel in agility. Ensure your selected board's specifications align with your weight, as most manufacturers provide guidelines regarding weight-to-length ratios.

3. Should You Opt for an Inflatable or Solid Board?

SUP boards come in two main constructions: solid and inflatable. Solid boards are available in diverse materials such as foam, fibreglass, Kevlar, wood, and plastic, with the most common structure being foam engulfed in epoxy and fibreglass. While these boards are lightweight, they tend to be more fragile compared to inflatable ones.

Inflatable SUP boards are manufactured from layered PVC plastic, with woven fibres connecting the top and bottom layers—akin to a drop-stitch design. They offer convenient portability and do not need extensive storage space, yet remain surprisingly durable. In fact, inflatable boards (iSUPs) are highly resilient and ideal for beginners. Refer to the comparison table below for a detailed analysis of the advantages of each type.

4. Selecting the SUP Paddle

A discussion on SUP is incomplete without mentioning the paddle, a vital equipment element. The paddle comprises a handle, shaft, and blade, with attention to be paid to its height and blade size.

The sizing of the blade can be likened to a bicycle gear system. To cruise over longer distances, a lower gear is preferred for ease and continuity. In contrast, when desiring a burst of speed, a higher gear is necessary despite the increased heaviness. Likewise, larger blades provide stronger strokes, displacing more water, which enhances paddling efficiency. They are commonly used for wave surfing as they offer stability and the potent strokes necessary for paddling into waves. Conversely, smaller blades are suited for touring and allround SUP, perfect for extended paddling sessions, and less demanding of strength, suitable for beginners.

The height of the paddle should correlate with both the type of SUPing and your physical height. The paddle should exceed your height, with added length varying based on SUPing activity. For surf SUPing, an addition of about 7 inches may suffice; for racing, it could be as much as 11 inches. A board intended for both surfing and flatwater use could necessitate either two paddles or an adjustable paddle, particularly if sharing the board with family or friends.

As elaborated, a fixed paddle suits a specific paddling style, typically favoured by advanced users familiar with their preferences. Adjustable paddles are available as either two-piece or three-piece variants, with two-piece being more common, while three-piece paddles are optimal for inflatable SUPs.

5. Fins

Fins on a SUP board influence basic riding traits. A larger, wider fin correlates with greater stability, and smaller ones with nimbleness.

Fins are often interchangeable and straightforward to swap. Several setups exist, such as:

Single fin - which minimises drag during paddling, ideal for flatwater SUPing;
3-fin setup, or thruster setup, ensures both straighter tracking on flatwater and solid control while surfing. All three fins usually have similar dimensions;
2+1 setup features three fins too, but with a larger centre fin compared to the sides, making it suitable for surf SUPing.

Inflatable SUPs can accommodate any of these fin configurations, using either semi-rigid detachable fins or flexible rubber fins affixed to the board. Finless riding is also an option for navigating rivers with mild rapids and shallow stretches.

In conclusion, when choosing your SUP board, pay attention to: