PADDLEBOARDING BUYER'S GUIDE


Meet Your Match DECIDING BETWEEN CATEGORIES OF BOARDS WILL


DEPEND ON WHERE YOU WANT TO PADDLE, WHAT YOU WANT TO DO AND YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE. TIPS 5-9 HELP YOU DECIDE WHAT KIND OF SUP IS BEST FOR YOU.


5.


All-arounders are generally 10 to 12 feet long and, as the name suggests, are good for a little


of everything. “Goof around,


PADDLEBOARD BUYING TIPS


1 2.


Don’t take tip #1 as a reason to cheap out. Warren Currie, owner of Easy Rider, a snow, skate and SUP shop, recommends borrow- ing a friend’s board or taking a lesson to help decide what you want, and then investing in the SUP that’s best for you. Though low-end box store boards do exist, Currie says there’s an incredible performance differ- ence if you spend slightly more. “You’ll just have a better experi- ence,” he says.


3.


Stability and width go hand- in-hand, and it’s confidence inspiring for beginners to have a stable first SUP experience. “As an absolute minimum width for beginners, I’d recommend 30 inches for anyone up to 200 pounds,” says Currie. “The big-


60 PADDLING MAGAZINE


ger the person, the wider the board,” he adds—paddlers over 200 pounds should be looking at boards around 32 and 33 inches.


4.


Since many people won’t be able


to try a board before


buying it, Gates says it’s impor- tant to find the right place to buy. Not all stores have a full range of paddleboards, and the level of knowledge available will vary. “Go see your local shop and assess their level of com- petence,” he says. How many SUP options do they have? Are the staff paddleboarders them- selves? Are they willing to take the time to assess your needs? “Build a relationship with a store that you feel comfortable with and have trust in,” says Gates.


Why are some boards $800 while others are more than $4,000? Weight, price and materials go hand-in-hand-in-hand. A SUP made of carbon, or with aramid in the layup, will be lighter and more


expensive, says Steve Gates, owner of Big Winds, a windsurf, kite and SUP shop in Hood River, Oregon. Less expensive boards use less expensive materials that are generally heavier. Does that mean you should splurge? Not necessarily. Super lightweight, strong and pricier boards are great for high performance use, while cheaper, heavier boards may be a little more work to paddle and a little less responsive, but still a lot of fun for recreational purposes, says Gates.


take your kids on the back, sun tan, do yoga or use it as a swim platform,” says Currie. They’re truly multi-purpose. Their width makes them stable (see tip #3) which means these are often the boards that get people hooked on SUP. They have round noses for maneuver- ability, and their length helps them track decently despite their width and rounded nose. Flip to page 40 for more about why these boards sell so well.


6.


Touring boards are built for cruising. They tend to be longer than all-around boards at 11 to 14 feet and have a pointed nose, helping them glide efficiently across any distance. They’re the general purpose mid-point between the stable all-arounders and the speedy but tippy race boards, described in tip #9. Recreational paddlers who want to make miles for fitness, fun or to explore their local waters will want a touring board.


PHOTO: COURTESY ONTARIO TOURISM


PHOTO: BIC SPORT/ BEN THOUARD


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