When choosing a stand up paddle board, the first thing you will want to do is determine the type of paddling you will be doing the most. If you plan to be out on the water for exercise or recreation, then you will want to find a stable, maneuverable model like an all around paddle board or a hybrid.
If you’re planning on paddling long distances or at fast speeds, a racing or touring SUP may be a better fit because they’re built to track efficiently and cut through the water quickly. Weight capacity, length, width, fin design and construction are the main features that you will want to consider in addition to the type of stand up paddle board.
Types of Stand Up Paddle Boards
All Around Stand Up Paddle Boards
All Around Stand Up Paddle Boards are the most common of all stand up paddle boards and are ideal for beginners. All around SUPs are wider than touring and surfing paddle boards, making them more stable.
The increased width of the all around SUP is a standard feature of the planing hull, a flat-bottom design with a rounded bow allowing the board to ride on top of the water. These boards are versatile and can be paddled in flat water and even small surf.
Surf Stand Up Paddle Boards
Surfing stand up paddle boards have many of the same features as a regular surf board. These SUPs are typically much shorter than other paddle boards and have a pointed bow and tapered stern. The shorter the board, the easier it is to maneuver in surf. Fin configurations can vary but the most common is the 3-fin set up.
Race and Touring Paddle Boards
Stand up paddle boards made for racing and long-distance touring have a pointed bow and are designed to displace water instead of riding on top of it. This displacement allows the longer, narrow board to cut through the water thus increasing speed and tracking. These SUPs are less stable than their wider counterparts, but are far more efficient.
Hybrid Paddle Boards
Hybrid paddle boards combine some of the best features of the other board types. Each hybrid design is different, depending on the manufacturer. These boards are versatile which make them a great board for beginners who want to paddle in any conditions. Many hybrid SUPs incorporate the advanced fin systems of racing or touring boards to make the hybrids track well in surf and flat water.
Weight Capacity
Part of choosing the right SUP for you is making sure it’s built for the type of water you want to paddle and can support your weight. The volume of the board is usually measured in liters and tells you how well the board will float with added weight. In general, the greater the volume of a board, the more weight it can support. The thickness of a board has just as much impact on the volume as the length and width.
Weight capacity is measured in pounds or kilograms and gives you a weight range possible for a SUP. Riding a board with the appropriate weight capacity is crucial to safety and comfort while on the water. Boards which don’t have enough capacity for the rider are hard to paddle and ride lower in the water.
When looking at the weight capacity for a board, be sure to take into consideration any gear you may want to take with you on the water such as coolers, fishing rods/tackle, camping gear, etc.
Length
The length of the standup paddle board you choose should depend on where you will paddle the most. Boards made for paddling in the surf are shorter so they’re easier to maneuver. These boards are typically less than 9 feet in length while mid-range boards between 9-12 feet are common for all around paddle boards suited for calm conditions. Longer SUPs measuring 12+ feet made for touring or racing track extremely well.
Width and Stability
Sometimes referred to as tippiness, the stability of a stand up paddle board is largely determined by the width of the board. Wider boards are more stable, but tend to sacrifice speed and tracking; however, they're great for beginners because you can balance on them easily and ideal for paddlers who plan to carry extra gear for fishing or overnight excursions. The wider SUPs range from 31-36 inches while narrower boards measruing less than 30 inches wide are faster and track well, but may be more difficult to stand on.
Fin Design
Once you determine the type and size of stand up paddle board you are looking for, fin set up are the next things to take into consideration. The fins on an SUP make the board track and maneuver easier. There are a number of fin configurations, the three most common are the single fin, 3-fin, and racing fins.
The single fin set-up usually has a mechanism for the fin to be raised or lowered as desired. The 3-fin set up is common on surfing SUPs and also allows for better tracking in flat water. Racing fins are more rigid and help the SUP track well in rough weather, large swells, or surf.
Construction
The core of an SUP is what gives it its buoyancy. Paddle boards are typically made using a core made from a lightweight material and then covered with a fiberglass, carbon fiber, plastic or wood skin. The three main types of cores are EPS foam, hollow core and Polyurethane foam.
The most common core for a SUP is EPS foam. EPS foam boards vary greatly in weight, depending on the manufacturer’s technique and the material used for the skin. Hollow cores are most often found in racing and touring SUPs because they’re lightweight and faster; these designs are more often the more expensive SUPs on the market. Polyurethane foam cores are heavier than EPS cores, making them the least expensive and most common type of core for use by beginners.