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Stand up paddle boarding is the fastest growing sport in the world for good reason. Not only is it a great workout and easy to learn, paddle boarding is also fun, invigorating and enables you to connect with nature. While you have a number of options, selecting your first paddle board doesn’t need to be any more challenging than learning the craft.
How to choose a stand up paddle board or SUP board - comes down to your lifestyle, what you plan to use it for, and of course, the paddle board’s price. If you’re not 100% sure which SUP is the best fit for your goals, you’ve come to the right place.
In order to find the best stand up paddle board, it’s important to know the difference between each type.
Be advised that there can be some crossover, as most people will use their paddle boards for multiple types of activities, such as SUP surfing, recreational use, touring, and even racing. Below, you’ll find the four most common types of SUP boards on the market.
Determine your stand up paddle board size based on your weight and paddle boarding experience. Think of your ideal board size in terms of volume. The wider, longer, and thicker the board, the more volume and weight capacity it will have. The more volume the board has, the more stable it will be on the water.
Beginner paddlers will usually want a wider board with more volume as well as thickness because of the additional stability this offers. As your skill, balance, and strength improve, you can downsize to a board with less volume. By then, your older board will be great for friends and family to use!
If you are at all unsure hop on our chat and one of board specialists will be happy to help!
Another aspect to consider as part of the SUP size is the design of your board’s hull, also called the “bottom” of the board. The hull determines the characteristics of how your board performs in the water. The two most common types of paddle board hulls are:
Planing Hull – A planing hull is essentially a flat bottom board. This makes them very stable, and also ideal for surfing because as the name implies they will “plane” quickly when they reach higher speeds when surfing.
Displacement Hull – A displacement hull has a sharply pointed nose that displaces the water to either side, making it the perfect choice for paddlers who want to cover long distances. The sharper nose allows the hull to slice through the water and gives the rider a fast and smooth ride. Most touring boards are designed with a displacement hull, allowing the rider to travel longer distances with ease.
Once you’ve figured out the type and size of SUP you want, it’s time to decide if you want an INFLATABLE SUP or a HARD PADDLE BOARD, also known as epoxy boards. There are many differences between inflatable and epoxy paddle boards.
When determining whether an inflatable or epoxy SUP is right for you, it really depends on your experience, budget, storage, and transportation options.
Inflatable Paddle Board
Epoxy (AKA Hard Boards)
Inflatable Paddle Boards
Epoxy Paddle Boards
Inflatable
Epoxy
Both
A big concern a lot of people have before buying a SUP is where they will store it at their house. To keep your board in great condition and increase its lifespan, you’ll want to minimize its exposure to the elements when not in use.
Regardless of the type of climate where you live, it is highly recommended that you keep your stand up paddle board indoors when not in use. For all boards, the key is to keep your SUP in a cool dark location where it is safe and protected.
Often a large part of the deciding factor is the price of a stand up paddle board. You don’t want a super expensive board, but you also don’t want to buy a cheap board (read: not long lasting) just to save money. It’s important to do your research to compare boards and companies when it comes to paddle board cost and quality. The paddle board price breakdown is as follows:
Often cheaper boards sacrifice quality, materials, and design to achieve their lower price. Be wary, the board may not last as long as one constructed with higher quality materials.
High quality, great performance, artistically designed and competitively priced. There’s not much more you can want from a paddle board. This is what we like to consider the sweet spot when it comes to paddle boards. Most of our SUPs fall within this price range. Additionally, we have many high performance boards, without the high performance cost.
With plenty of stand up paddle board companies to choose from, it can seem overwhelming to find the perfect one. The key is to look beyond the marketing and pull back the layers to see exactly what each company offers. The major things to consider when choosing a company are board quality and construction, the price of the board, the guarantee, and the customer service.
We offer many great incentives along with top-quality stand up paddle boards:
Craftsmanship: For over 20 years we have been innovating our construction methods and materials to ensure our boards lead the industry in performance and durability - It's for that reason we have the confidence to offer the only lifetime warranty in our industry.
Board Purchase Guarantee: Purchasing a stand up paddle board is an investment, and the last thing you want is to be stuck with a board that you don’t absolutely love. For that reason, you should have the reassurance that you are getting the right board specifically for you. At Cascadia Board Co, we understand that this is a big decision, and that’s why we extend a board purchase guarantee.
30 Day Ride It & Love It Guarantee: We want to make sure you are happy with your board choice. Try it for 30 days and if you don’t 100% love your board, you can always send it back and get your money refunded with a 20% restocking fee per item.
Customer Service: Customer service should come first for every company because it reflects your entire business and how you value your past and potential customers. Customer service is our number #1 priority and we’ve built our brand around it.
We have worked hard to build a name that stands for unrivalled performance and conveys absolute confidence in all conditions. It comes down to the quality of our products and of our service, pre and post purchase.
See you on the water!
