How To Choose A Paddle Board As A Beginner

The choice of your beginner paddle board is a big one, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the sheer amount of options out there. Don’t worry, though, we’re here to help. In this blog, we’ll dive into how to choose a paddle board when you’re just starting out and explain exactly what traits you’re looking for in a beginner paddle board.

Inflatable Boards Vs Hard Boards

Paddle boards come in all sorts of styles, but one of the major distinctions you need to be aware of is whether a board is inflatable or hard. Inflatable boards are much better for the vast majority of cases, particularly for newcomers to the hobby. While hard boards have some edge case use in extreme performance, inflatable boards are significantly better most of the time. This is because:

Durability - This might sound a bit backwards to a newcomer, but inflatable SUPs are actually much more durable than hard boards. Hard boards are much more fragile and susceptible to cracking, chipping and denting a lot of the time. Red Paddle Co’s MSL material is much more durable and can handle wear and tear without issue.

Storage - Inflatable boards are much easier to store and transport. You can deflate it, roll it up and stow it in a board bag. No need to worry about roof racks or bulky storage compartments.

More Stable - Thanks to extra thickness and buoyancy, inflatable boards provide a lot more stability, which is a crucial element to have in a beginner paddle board.

Make Sure You’re Getting The Right Size

The size of your board is very important to how stable it’ll be and how well it’ll perform. As a rough guideline, we recommend that beginners start off with a board with 32 inches or more in width, as this provides great stability. Length-wise, anywhere between 10’6” and 11’6” should be perfectly suitable for the majority of people.

Give Thought To Where You’ll Be Using It

Different situations call for different types of paddle board. The best paddle board for beginners will generally be an all-round style board, which excels in calmer waters and performs well enough in the majority of situations. But if you’re set on the idea of paddling in rougher waters like you would in ocean SUP, you might get more mileage out of a touring board’s easier tracking. Context is everything when choosing your board.

Don’t Forget The Essential Accessories

It’s very easy to get bogged down in how to choose a paddle board and neglect to make sure you’re getting all of the right accessories you need, too. You need to make sure you’ve given thought to your:

• Paddle
• Pump
• Safety leash
• Personal floatation device
• Waterproof bag

These items are totally essential, so make sure you have them all before you even think about heading out onto the water.

You’ll Build Up Confidence And Ability With Time

Try not to rush yourself. No matter what board you go with, you’ll spend your fair share of time falling off at first. Make sure you bring an experienced friend or family member to help show you the ropes if you can. Stick with it, get to learn your beginner paddle board, even if it doesn’t feel quite right at first. It won’t be long before you’re gliding with ease.

We hope you’ve found this guide on how to choose a paddle board helpful. If you have any questions about any of our boards, then why not get in touch with our team for help? Our team is friendly and experienced, and we’ll be more than happy to help you make the right decision to best suit your needs.