Paddle boarding is a great outdoor activity and complete workout. It can go from something for a completely recreational enjoyment like flat water paddling or SUP fishing to high-end athletics, like whitewater SUP or paddle surfing. Having the right paddleboard for the activity of choice is extremely important. But remember it’s you the paddler that has to decide what it is you want to do. Once you have that figured out you can better understand how each type of material would work for you and choose board according to your skill set.
Types of Stand Up Paddle boards
There are three types of stand up paddle boards with respect to construction methods that you need to know in case you’re thinking about getting into the sport. Each type is unique and has its pros and cons. It’s up to each person to determine what works best for them. The main difference explored here is the board’s construction material or what it’s made out of. The various materials perform differently on the water when compared to each other. This means that it is important to understand these differences so you can better choose which is most appropriate for you. The three main types of stand up paddle boards are:
- Soft Top paddle boards
- Epoxy paddle boards
- Inflatable paddle boards
Soft Top paddle boards
They are similar in appearance to soft top surfboards. The front deck is made of a soft, sponge-like material that is durable and forgiving. Although the surface is soft, these boards are still somewhat rigid. The core of the board is made of material which provides stability and strength. This material is usually EPS high-density foam core that has a strong supporting spine that runs down the center of the board.
Benefits of Soft SUP boards
The major benefit of soft top paddleboards is that it is affordable and easy on the budget when compared to an epoxy SUP and they can take a real beating from careless users which makes it good for beginners or kids who might not necessarily stick with the sport or know what they’re doing. They’re also soft and easy on the feet and knees, just like an inflatable SUP.
Disadvantages of Soft-top SUP boards
The downside of soft top paddleboards is that they are lacking in performance when compared with the other two. They are not maneuverable or agile like an epoxy or inflatable board. They also tend to be heavier, so transportation and lifting them on and off any type of rack will be a tad more difficult. The other issue with soft top paddleboards is that they come in limited designs. They don’t vary in shape much which limits them to one design and might not be that attractive to female paddle boarders.
Epoxy Paddle Board
Epoxy was the traditional material used in surf and stand up paddle boards before all of the more recent advances in technology. It’s similar to a surfboard with respect to the material they are made of. Specifically, an epoxy board is usually made of EPS foam, many layers of fiberglass, and finally a topcoat of epoxy resin.
Advantages of Epoxy Boards
Because of the stiffness of materials used in production, epoxy SUPs can be molded to help improve characteristics like gliding and tracking. This in turn makes them good for long distance touring. It also makes them good for surfing bigger waves.
Problems with epoxy boards
However, epoxy boards have their own problems as well. They are difficult to transport as they need a larger vehicle or racks to move and store them. They are also the least durable type of paddleboards as they can get scratches and dents much easier than the other types. Because of their rigidity, they cannot be molded and require lots of storage space.
Inflatable Paddle Boards
They are considered to be best of all stand-up paddle boards. Inflatable paddleboards are growing more and more popular as the sport grows and technology advances.
Benefits of Inflatable Paddle Boards
They are the best boards to buy when it comes to storage and transportation because you can quickly and easily deflate them and roll them up, which also means they’re the easiest to carry down to the water. A lot of of them come with their own pumps, so all the paddler needs to do is pump the board to the right PSI then head out on the water to paddle. Although they are inflatable, these paddleboards are surprisingly strong and rigid. They are made with drop-stitch technology and layers of high-density PVC. This combination of materials creates a sturdy, solid, and durable SUP.
Disadvantages of Inflatable Paddle Board
The foremost problem with an inflatable paddleboard is also one of its main advantages, which is that they need to be inflated. That being said, companies have developed hand pumps that are far superior to the old bike pump you might be thinking of. And if you really don’t want to take the time to manually pump your SUP for each use, you can store and transport it inflated or you can always purchase an electric pump to do the work.
Which paddle board is best for you?
As stated earlier, it all depends on the skillset of each person and also the purpose of using the paddle board. By picking the right paddleboard according to your preferences, paddling activities, and budget will make time on the water all the more enjoyable. Take your own time to think through what you plan to do with your SUP. Then review the different options out there and figure out which suits your preferences. It’s not about what is right or wrong, it’s about figuring out what you like. Now that you have a solid understanding of the three types, you can choose the one which suits you the best.
