So you’ve rented a stand up paddleboard (SUP) a few times, hopefully taken a lesson or two and now you can’t help but daydream about the freedom of having your own board to paddle when and where you want. It’s ok to get excited because shopping for SUP gear is just as fun and almost as challenging as paddling the boards themselves. It’s also a big investment so you want to get it right. Below are just a few things to consider while shopping for your first SUP.
The first thing to think about is that buying a board means more than just buying a board. You are also buying a paddle ($175+ for a good one), safety gear (leash, PFD, cold water paddle clothes) and a way to transport the board around if you buy a hard board (Inflatables are a different story. More on that later). But let’s start with the boards.
The first questions you need to ask yourself are, “Where and how will this paddleboard be used?” and “How much will I use it?” If you know it will only be used twice a summer to paddle out a hundred yards from shore on a calm lake so you can lay on it and sunbathe for an hour, then feel free to go to Costco and get the cheapest thing you can find. If it’s something that you could see yourself getting a little more serious about and know you will be paddling regularly, or wanting to adventure out and paddle longer distances, or in potentially difficult conditions (surf/rivers), then you are going to want to get a name brand SUP from a company that has been designing and selling boards for a while and has a good range of boards to choose from. My argument is, you WILL get hooked on it and want to paddle more than you think so start with a good board.
What is a good beginner board? You generally want to look for what most companies label as an “all-around.” These are boards that are usually wide and stable and generally in a surf shape. These will let you paddle with a bit of performance (easy turning, speed, stability) on any water. If you know you have a keen interest in adventure and putting a few miles on the board each trip or maybe have some interest in eventually racing, then look into a touring style board. These are the ones that are a little thicker and have a displacement nose (more like a boat) to cut through the wind waves and chop. You don’t need to look at all-carbon race boards or short little surf SUPs at this point. Again, always be thinking, “how am I going to use this thing?” as you shop.
The first thing to think about is that buying a board means more than just buying a board. You are also buying a paddle ($175+ for a good one), safety gear (leash, PFD, cold water paddle clothes) and a way to transport the board around if you buy a hard board (Inflatables are a different story. More on that later). But let’s start with the boards.
The first questions you need to ask yourself are, “Where and how will this paddleboard be used?” and “How much will I use it?” If you know it will only be used twice a summer to paddle out a hundred yards from shore on a calm lake so you can lay on it and sunbathe for an hour, then feel free to go to Costco and get the cheapest thing you can find. If it’s something that you could see yourself getting a little more serious about and know you will be paddling regularly, or wanting to adventure out and paddle longer distances, or in potentially difficult conditions (surf/rivers), then you are going to want to get a name brand SUP from a company that has been designing and selling boards for a while and has a good range of boards to choose from. My argument is, you WILL get hooked on it and want to paddle more than you think so start with a good board.
What is a good beginner board? You generally want to look for what most companies label as an “all-around.” These are boards that are usually wide and stable and generally in a surf shape. These will let you paddle with a bit of performance (easy turning, speed, stability) on any water. If you know you have a keen interest in adventure and putting a few miles on the board each trip or maybe have some interest in eventually racing, then look into a touring style board. These are the ones that are a little thicker and have a displacement nose (more like a boat) to cut through the wind waves and chop. You don’t need to look at all-carbon race boards or short little surf SUPs at this point. Again, always be thinking, “how am I going to use this thing?” as you shop.
Touring board on the left, all-around on the right. Note their different “noses”.
One fun part of this adventure is testing out boards. It will obviously be fun but you’ll pick up a ton of info along the way. Go rent from a variety of places to get an idea of what style board you might like. If you haven’t taken a lesson, do that ASAP. It’s absolutely essential. A good SUP instructor will give you great advice during and after the lesson and help you to actually know what you are talking about when talking to the sales guy/gal at the shop. Also, go to your local newsstand to pick up a magazine like SUP the Mag or StandUp Journal or Stand Up Paddle Magazine and educate yourself on brands and styles so you know what’s out there. Then go talk to the folks at your local shop and get all the info you can. Once you get something picked out ask if you can take it for a test drive. If you are serious about the board they’ll hopefully be cool and let you take it out.
If you are in the midwest and don’t have a local SUP/Surf shop, maybe this is an opportunity to take a summer SUP trip. Come visit Seattle where there is water, SUP shops, high quality instruction and rental places in every direction from Tacoma to Everett and beyond. Paddlefest on Lake Sammamish each May is an amazing opportunity to try out lots of boards from lots of brands. Again, the more you educate yourself and try things out, the more likely you are to be happy with the investment you make in that first board.
Speaking of that “investment,” by this point you are undoubtedly thinking, “This is fun and all but how much is this board going to cost me?” I always say if you want a good beginner board that will get you through your days as a rookie paddler and into a bit more fun and adventure for years to come, you’ll need to spend $1000 for the board but probably not more than $1400. That buys you some combination of durability, performance, a lighter weight board and some style (because it is nice having a sweet looking ride!)
A quick note about the weight of the board -- For me this is one of the most important things to consider. Remember, you have to carry this 10-14 foot long piece of pure awkward to and from your launch spot and you have to lift it back on top of your vehicle at the end of the day. I recommend trying to find a board at 30 lbs. or less if you can afford it. The difference between a 27 lb. board and a 34 lb. board is monumental. So try to track down the weight of the board as you shop.
The length, width and volume (liters) of the board are the next stats you’ll want to look at. More width generally means more stability. Increased length provides a bit more stability and usually more speed but less maneuverability. Volume and liters can be confusing. Basically the more liters, the more weight it can keep afloat (aka a heavier paddler and their gear) but it’s not always a definitive stat. More and more manufactures are adding a “recommended paddler weight” or something similar to their spec sheet. Look for that to keep things simple.
The brands I recommend are BIC, Amundson and Riviera. Not too many companies beat BIC SUPs for durability with performance at a good price. The parent company makes BIC pens and lighters and the Ace-Tec construction boards they offer have a plastic shell that can really withstand a beating. That plastic shell does add weight though. Amundson has slightly less durability but many of their designs have a Rhino-lite (think truck bed liners) top coat. Amundson has stability down pat and makes great boards for beginners that they will hold on to for years, even after they’ve bought two or three other boards as their skills progress. I recommend Riviera for performance at a cheaper price point. They have great designs and sexy looking boards.
If you are in the midwest and don’t have a local SUP/Surf shop, maybe this is an opportunity to take a summer SUP trip. Come visit Seattle where there is water, SUP shops, high quality instruction and rental places in every direction from Tacoma to Everett and beyond. Paddlefest on Lake Sammamish each May is an amazing opportunity to try out lots of boards from lots of brands. Again, the more you educate yourself and try things out, the more likely you are to be happy with the investment you make in that first board.
Speaking of that “investment,” by this point you are undoubtedly thinking, “This is fun and all but how much is this board going to cost me?” I always say if you want a good beginner board that will get you through your days as a rookie paddler and into a bit more fun and adventure for years to come, you’ll need to spend $1000 for the board but probably not more than $1400. That buys you some combination of durability, performance, a lighter weight board and some style (because it is nice having a sweet looking ride!)
A quick note about the weight of the board -- For me this is one of the most important things to consider. Remember, you have to carry this 10-14 foot long piece of pure awkward to and from your launch spot and you have to lift it back on top of your vehicle at the end of the day. I recommend trying to find a board at 30 lbs. or less if you can afford it. The difference between a 27 lb. board and a 34 lb. board is monumental. So try to track down the weight of the board as you shop.
The length, width and volume (liters) of the board are the next stats you’ll want to look at. More width generally means more stability. Increased length provides a bit more stability and usually more speed but less maneuverability. Volume and liters can be confusing. Basically the more liters, the more weight it can keep afloat (aka a heavier paddler and their gear) but it’s not always a definitive stat. More and more manufactures are adding a “recommended paddler weight” or something similar to their spec sheet. Look for that to keep things simple.
The brands I recommend are BIC, Amundson and Riviera. Not too many companies beat BIC SUPs for durability with performance at a good price. The parent company makes BIC pens and lighters and the Ace-Tec construction boards they offer have a plastic shell that can really withstand a beating. That plastic shell does add weight though. Amundson has slightly less durability but many of their designs have a Rhino-lite (think truck bed liners) top coat. Amundson has stability down pat and makes great boards for beginners that they will hold on to for years, even after they’ve bought two or three other boards as their skills progress. I recommend Riviera for performance at a cheaper price point. They have great designs and sexy looking boards.
The super stable BIC Wing 12’6”
The BIC board I recommend is the BIC Wing. This is a touring style board in 12’6” or 11”. There is a BIG weight difference between the two sizes, 27 lbs. compared to 34 lbs. and big difference in recommended rider weight. In an all-around style, the 11’6” Performer is a nice board. You can buy these at REI and see a nice return on your co-op check. But go buy one from a local shop and you’ll get more advice and continuing service after the sale.
http://www.bicsport.com/sup.html
http://www.bicsport.com/sup.html
2015 Riviera Original on Sequim Bay
The Riviera board I recommend is the Riviera Original. 10’6 or 11’6’. Very easy to turn and very stable. Earlier models have no forward tie down spots (lash points) to carry stuff on the water with you (water bottle, dry bag) but it looks like the 2017s will correct this.
http://www.rivierapaddlesurf.com/
With all that said, there are a ton of great brands. These are just three that I have experience with. Others include Starboard, SIC, Naish, and Imagine, just to name a few.
That brings us to all the other gear. The best piece of advice I can give you about all of this…if you have any extra money to spend, spend it on the paddle. An extra $150 dollars spent on a paddle will buy you so much more than an extra $150 on a board. Think about it, depending on the length of your trip, you are lifting and pulling that paddle hundreds of times through the water on every trip out. That means a lot of wear and tear on your shoulders and arms with a heavy paddle. Even as a beginner you want a paddle under 26 oz which usually means carbon fiber which usually means spending at least $175. Also, I recommend beginners start with an adjustable paddle. It will take a while to figure out what length is right for you, your body and your paddling style. If you have an adjustable, you can play with that length until you get comfortable. It also lets you share the paddle with the rest of your family. I’m a big fan of Riviera’s Asset and Vantage paddles. They are light and have large range of adjustability at a great price. Other quality brands include Werner, Accent, Kialoa, Quikblade and AquaGlide.
http://www.rivierapaddlesurf.com/
With all that said, there are a ton of great brands. These are just three that I have experience with. Others include Starboard, SIC, Naish, and Imagine, just to name a few.
That brings us to all the other gear. The best piece of advice I can give you about all of this…if you have any extra money to spend, spend it on the paddle. An extra $150 dollars spent on a paddle will buy you so much more than an extra $150 on a board. Think about it, depending on the length of your trip, you are lifting and pulling that paddle hundreds of times through the water on every trip out. That means a lot of wear and tear on your shoulders and arms with a heavy paddle. Even as a beginner you want a paddle under 26 oz which usually means carbon fiber which usually means spending at least $175. Also, I recommend beginners start with an adjustable paddle. It will take a while to figure out what length is right for you, your body and your paddling style. If you have an adjustable, you can play with that length until you get comfortable. It also lets you share the paddle with the rest of your family. I’m a big fan of Riviera’s Asset and Vantage paddles. They are light and have large range of adjustability at a great price. Other quality brands include Werner, Accent, Kialoa, Quikblade and AquaGlide.
Adjustable Paddles: Riviera Asset, Aquaglide Rhythm, and Accent Moxie
You absolutely without a doubt MUST have a PFD (lifejacket) and leash to be safe when paddling. As much as you want to look cool and not wear that stuff you are completely compromising your safety if you don’t wear them, which is silly because they are fairly inexpensive. $25 for a leash and $50-$125 for the PFD. If you know you are a really good swimmer and comfortable in the water you can go for the hip belt inflatable PFD, otherwise a more traditional lifejacket is recommended. Just be sure it’s labeled low-profile so that it is built to stay out of your way as you paddle. For women I also recommend finding women’s specific styles. I’m told they are significantly more comfortable. Also think about your local water and air temps. You may want a paddle jacket or paddle pants or even a wetsuit. I recommend MTI for PFDs and NRS for leashes, PFDs and warm paddle clothes (look for their Hydroskin line of pants and jackets).
MTI PFDs (lifejackets)
One last thing to keep in mind -- You need to store the board somewhere and be able to get it from your house to the water and back again. If you don’t already have a rack on your vehicle you’ll need to get one. They make soft racks that make almost any car capable of carrying a board. And if you want to keep your board in good shape you need to store it in a garage or some other indoor space. Unlike some of the cheap plastic sit-on top kayaks or old fiberglass canoes, you can’t just leave it outside year round and expect it to stay in good condition. So make sure you have some indoor space for it.
Thule SUP Taxi – The fancy way to haul a board or two, but you really just need some straps if your car already has a rack.
Which brings us to one last topic…Inflatable SUPs. Surprisingly, inflatable SUPs are built well enough these days to be used just like a hard board but with the advantage of being able to toss it in your trunk at the end of the day and in your closet when you get home. Inflatables are a great option for a lot of people with limited storage or no way to transport the board on top of their car. The only real downside is that you have to pump it up before you start which can be a whole lot of work. Electric pumps that connect to your car battery or cigarette lighter are available to make this easier.
Kialoa 10’6” Waikiki inflatable – a great yoga board
There is a great deal of differences in quality with these boards and if you do get an inflatable, I recommend spending a little more on the brands that specialize in inflatable boards like RED. Other high quality brands include Starboard and Naish. Some really good, less expensive options include Kialoa, 360 GoAnywhere and NRS. All the manufacturers mentioned above who offer hard boards also have an inflatable line worth checking out.
So let the adventure begin and let me know if this guide turns out to be helpful. If you need any more information or advice please feel free to email me. Now go have fun, shopping and paddling!
Here are a few reputable online SUP retailers (these 3 are all in Oregon) to get you started:
http://www.standonliquid.com/
http://www.bigwinds.com/standup-paddling
http://shop.gorgeperformance.com/standuppaddlesup.aspx
So let the adventure begin and let me know if this guide turns out to be helpful. If you need any more information or advice please feel free to email me. Now go have fun, shopping and paddling!
Here are a few reputable online SUP retailers (these 3 are all in Oregon) to get you started:
http://www.standonliquid.com/
http://www.bigwinds.com/standup-paddling
http://shop.gorgeperformance.com/standuppaddlesup.aspx