Choosing a Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) for Beginners

Choosing the right stand up paddleboard is starting to get as complicated as selecting the right pair of socks for the reason that 200 pair drawer for your 6am bootcamp! You can find too many options and they all look the same! Dig a little deeper in that cabinet and you'll find that there are so many factors that matter when making the right decision. Are you considering the sport for the fitness aspect? Are you looking to spend time with the whole family and just cruise the local provides hiding for and flat-water explorations?

Usually are you a surfer Aqua Marina paddleboard ready to take your schralping skills to the next level; or perhaps get a chance to capture some smaller waves when the swell isn't quite up? And/or you ready to bring that competitive streak from back from your collegiate tennis pro days and get involved in the rapidly growing race scene that has taken the nation by storm? These factors really need to be used into account when considering an important purchase such as your first SUP board (or maybe you are adding a second or third SUP to your quiver). Fortunately, the team at Stand UP Paddle Company has been doing our research and has come up with some easy ways that you can determine on the perfect panel and paddle. Following a few tips from the Pros:

1 . Volume = Stableness. Width, length and density are typical of utmost importance. Your Stand Up Paddle professional should be able to dial you into the right size panel while considering your weight, height, skill level and goals. Longer boards will typically feel more steady while paddling straight, however, will be harder to turn. Paddlers with previous ocean craft experience will most likely chose smaller, lower volume boards; beginners considering spending more time in flat-water conditions prefer wider, longer boards with additional volume.

2. SUP Surfing. If wave riding is going to be where you'll be spending almost all of your time and efforts, consider a more high performance panel around 10 feet and under. The compromise in length/width and displacement is a trade between swimming out through the search and actually riding dunes. Remember, you have to paddle out through the whitewater before catching that waves and cruising down the line so avoid go too small too fast! SUP companies offer great SUP surf planks from brands like SUPCO, Kings, Naish and Paddle Surf Hawaii created only for surfing!

3. Flat Normal water Paddling/Touring. If you live near a lake, calm rivers, paddle the harbor or simply want to do some open ocean touring and adventure, a flat- water or touring style board is right for you. Flat-water boards are great for all age groups and abilities, and are a great choice when there are many people in the same as well as can only afford one SUP. High volume and minimal rocker are a must when stand up paddling flat water. Smooth water boards may range from the 10'6" range for the more petite framework or children, all the way to 14' traveling boards.

4. Race boards. Stand Up Paddle race is the quickest growing competitive water sport today. From the calm waters of Lake Tahoe to the trade wind downwinders in South Florida, all age range and skills are bouncing on the competition bandwagon. Together with the WPA (World Paddle Association) as the flourishing governing body of SUP racing (and instruction), SUP is a hopeful Olympic Sport for 2016. Actually for raceboards there are options. Generally, race classes are the following:

12'6" Stock, 14' or 18' and above Unlimited. Most women chose the 12'6" stock size due to their bodyweight; men over 185 tend to ride 14' stand up paddle raceboards and those willing to paddle longer distances or fly at the velocity of lightning try their chances at the Limitless Class boards. With raceboards, it's really a matter of personal preference. There are different shaped displacement hulls, and tails- square tails for further stability racing in the surf and pintails for flat-water. My advice is the "try before you buy" concept- many SUP companies have demonstrations galore to choose from. If they don't find someone else.