What to look for when buying a SUP

Paddleboarding is everywhere at the moment - it's a water sport that everyone can get involved in and is a great way to get yourself outside for some low impact exercise.

With so many different types of SUP's (stand up paddleboards), out there, it can be a little overhwhelming to decide which one is right for you. Here's a few things to look out for and consider when buying your very own board.

Rider Weight Capacity:

The first thing to look out for is often pretty easy to find: The maximum rider weight capacity. You can usually find this information in the specifications of the sup board. 
This is important when choosing your board as it could affect the performance of your board if you end up getting one that isn't suited to your weight. Getting this right is a simple detail that can help you to feel more confident on your board.

Shape of the board: 

You've probably noticed there are all sorts of shapes on the market for paddle boards, but the shape you should look for will depend on your level of skill and the type of paddling you are looking to do. 
Typically as a beginner you will want a wider, longer board with a higher volume and thickness as this will be more stable on the water. The higher volume a board has, the stiffer it can be which will again add to the stability. 

Now the shape will also depend on your paddling goal. If you are looking to go fast and glide quickly through the water, you will want to look out for a board with a narrower nose - this will allow you to cut through the water a lot quicker, however you will lose some stability so we recommend you go for this only if you have a bit of experience on a sup already. 

If you are looking for a bit more manoeuvrability with the board, on waves for example, you might want to try out a shorter board. However shorter boards are typically wider so may move a bit slower when on flat waters such as river paddling. 

For an all rounder board, look out for a touring board. These should have a rounder nose and are relatively average in terms of length and width and are perfect for those just starting their paddleboarding journey. 

Now that you know what you're looking out for, check out our full range of boards here!