Which Red Paddle Boards Are The Best Downwind SUP Boards

Downwind paddleboarding is a lot of fun, and something you simply must give a go if you’re looking for ways to transform your time on the water. While going downwinding does require different considerations to a standard SUP trip, it’s certainly not a form of paddleboarding that is hard for intermediate to advanced paddlers to try with the right insight. With this in mind, we’ve taken a deep dive into what downwinding is and what makes Red Paddle Co’s paddleboards the very best downwind SUP boards around. 

What Is Downwinding?

Downwind paddleboarding, or simply downwinding, is an exhilarating paddleboarding style that focuses on utilising the direction of the wind to achieve high speeds on the water’s surface. It’s not something that’s generally recommended for beginners, as it requires a reasonably high level of experience, fitness and technical skill to pull off properly compared to more basic flatwater SUP. 

To stand up paddle downwind, you need the right conditions. As the name suggests, you need the wind at your back to help drive you forward and create small waves for you to ride, in a manner as surfing. You’ll need to be careful to choose your conditions carefully. Ideally, the wind should come in at around 12-15 knots. Anything above 20 should be considered unsafe for you to paddleboard in, even in a group with friends or family. Always keep a close eye on conditions before setting out on the water, and remain aware of your surroundings so you know when to call it quits early.

What To Look Out For In Downwind SUP Boards

When choosing a downwind paddleboard for yourself, there are a number of key elements to the design to look out for that’ll help you catch the wind and attain high speeds with ease. You’ll need a board with more length than you would otherwise need in a more casual SUP environment, typically in the 12-14 feet range with a narrow profile and a pronounced nose to prevent diving into waves. Volume matters too, and a higher-volume board offers a better glide and keeps you stable in choppy conditions.

The Best Downwind SUP Boards From Red Paddle Co

If you’re keen to give downwinding a go, the next step is making sure you have the best SUP for the job. Fortunately, there are a number of our market-leading Red Paddle Co SUP boards more than up to the job, built with the right volume, length, and performance features to function as, quite frankly, unbeatable downwind SUP boards. 

12'6" Sport+ MSL 800 Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard

Heading up our list of the best downwind SUP boards is the Red Paddle Co 12'6" Sport+. It’s a top contender for your choice of board for downwinding, being built for speed and glide. The narrow, tapered nose, sleek 28" width and hard-release speed tail allows this excellent inflatable paddle board to slice cleanly through the water, delivering excellent tracking and a smooth, efficient ride.

Comfort hasn’t been overlooked either; the board includes a soft, grippy deckpad, ergonomic centre handle, and adjustable bungee cargo storage, while twin D-rings on the tail let you secure additional gear or accessories.

14'0" Sport+ MSL 800 Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard

Red Paddle Co’s 14' Sport+ model is a standout among our downwind SUP boards that blends touring versatility with race-level performance. Coming in at an impressive 14 feet long and 28 inches wide, this board is an excellent choice for downwinders who want a fast board that handles a variety of water conditions with ease

The 14' Sport+ is built using Red’s advanced MSL 800 double-drop-stitch construction, which keeps the board exceptionally stiff yet light as well. The addition of RSS battens adds even more rigidity, while the hard-release speed tail enhances glide by minimising drag - a key advantage when trying to teach top speeds when you’re downwind paddleboarding.

14'0" Elite MSL 800 Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard

The next pick from our Red paddle board range is the 14' Elite board. Designed for peak racing performance, this board is fast, responsive, and a great pick in a huge range of situations, from flatwater adventures to ocean downwinding. Thanks to its sharp, tapered nose, the Elite slices cleanly through the water and accelerates with minimal effort, delivering an efficient glide and top speeds during downwind runs. If you love the feeling of moving fast with the wind at your back, the 14' Elite delivers great performance without compromise.

14'0" Voyager MSL 800 Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard

The last of our picks of great downwind SUP boards available from us at Red is our 14' Voyager board. Designed for touring and expeditions, it’s equally at home on a casual cruise or an intense stand up paddle downwind. The Voyager glides effortlessly across open water while remaining stable in choppier conditions, and the V-hull design helps you cut through wind and water for awesome tracking. It’s remarkably light and stiff, which means better control and more efficient paddling over time.

If you have any questions about the downwind paddleboarding or want to know if your Red Paddle Co paddle board is up to downwinding, then don’t hesitate to get in contact with our team. Our experts will be thrilled to help you find the perfect SUP for you.