SUP is an activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. Whether you want to take a leisurely paddle on a tranquil lake or catch some waves in the ocean, there’s a SUP activity for everyone. You can even do SUP yoga or go for a workout with a fast-paced paddle. Your board is key to your happiness and success on the slopes, so it’s important to choose the right one for you and your ambitions. In this guide, we’ll go over the main points you need to consider when making your purchase.
If you’re unsure of what kind of stand up paddle board to buy, it’s important to think about how you plan on using it most frequently, whether it will be the right size for your body type and how you want it to feel when you’re out in the water. With those things in mind, you’ll be able to find a board that suits your needs perfectly!
There are a few key factors to consider when choosing the right cutting board for your kitchen. You’ll need to think about the size and shape of the board, as well as its capacity and thickness. Length and width are also important factors to keep in mind. The kind of board you choose – solid or inflatable – will depend on how you want to transport it and how much space you have to store it. You’ll also need to consider the board’s fins and any extras or accessories that will work for you.
SUP Hull Types
The hull, or body, of a paddle board is a crucial factor in its performance in the water. The majority of SUPs have either a planing hull or a displacement hull, with a much smaller number featuring a hybrid design that combines the best attributes of each.
There are two main types of hull shapes for paddleboards – but don’t worry, both can be enjoyed by beginner paddlers! The main difference between the two is how they perform in different activities, so it’s wise to choose the hull type based on how you plan to use your board. If you’re not sure yet, that’s okay too – just try out both and see which one you prefer!
Planing Hull
A planing hull is a type of hull that is flat and wide, similar to a surfboard. These hulls are designed to ride on top of the water and be very maneuverable. Boards with planing hulls are often used for leisure paddling, surfing, ocean paddle board and whitewater activities.
Displacement Hull
SUPs with displacement hulls have a similar pointed nose or bow to that of a kayak or canoe. The hull efficiently slices through water, pushing the water around the nose to the sides of the SUP for a fast, smooth ride. Displacement hulls are more efficient than planing hulls because they require less effort to paddle, allowing you to go longer distances at faster speeds. In addition, displacement hulls tend to track nicely and in a straight line, but they are generally less maneuverable than planing hulls.
Paddlers opt for displacement hulls to increase paddling efficiency and speed, two crucial aspects regardless of the application. Some applications that commonly use displacement hulls include fitness paddling, SUP touring/camping, and racing.
SUP Thickness
Once you’ve determined the length and width of the board that suits your paddling style best, the next thing to consider is thickness.
The thickness of a stand up paddle board is an important factor to consider because it affects the board’s overall volume and weight capacity. For example, a thicker board will have a higher weight capacity than a thinner board. If you’re looking for a board that can accommodate a lot of weight, then you’ll want to choose a thicker board. If you’re looking at two boards of the same length and width but different thicknesses, the thicker board can support more weight than the thinner one. This is because the thicker board has a higher volume, meaning it can hold more weight.
