The thought of another summer is on the horizon.

But, what kind of board do I want??

It is a question I get a lot from people wanting to get in to paddle boarding. The answer is simple as there are only a few criteria to figure out.

One of the first questions I will ask someone wanting to get in to supping is, do you have a car? Sounds silly but if you don’t how would you lug around a 30lb board? One can’t really take a rigid board on the local bus.

The next is do you have room to store it? This is also a huge requirement.

What are you wanting to do with the board? Rivers, lakes, ocean, touring, racing, surfing? All very important questions.

I will say that if you have a car and a place to store it then get a rigid board, non-inflatable. Reason being is they are more responsive and in my opinion faster, compared to an inflatable board, though, there are some pretty quick blow ups.

If you don’t have a car or storage then an inflatable board is the choice.

But what about shape style and features?

Almost everyone has a surf board type style of sup! Why? The majority of people live on lakes. So, why would you buy a surf board sup? My feeling is that most people will just cruz around the lake. If that is so then a all rounder or touring board are more suited to most peoples needs. For all around the size will be roughly 10.6 x 30 and up to about 12.6 x 30.

If you want to get in to touring/racing then I will say there are only two choices, 12.6 x 30ish and 14 x 28ish. All my boards are 14ft. For long distance and racing it is the best size.

The best thing you can do is to try before you buy!!! I have bought many boards over the years and twice I bought boards that I didn’t stand on and wanted to return them soon as I did. Always remember buyer beware and try before you buy if you can. Keep your eyes peeled for local days with the producers of boards.

Good luck and happy hunting.

See you on the water

Arne