THE BEST STAND UP PADDLE BOARDS FOR BEGINNERS

The BEST STAND UP PADDLE BOARDS FOR BEGINNERS

BEST STAND UP PADDLE BOARDS FOR BEGINNERS

INTRODUCTION: BEST STAND UP PADDLE BOARDS FOR BEGINNERS

Best Stand Up Paddle Boards For Beginners: Years ago when I first moved to Spain, stand up paddle boards were a rare sight. Over the years this has clearly changed. Stand up paddle boarding has quickly become a popular sport and these days you can see paddle boarders virtually everywhere. If you are considering paddleboarding then you probably have a lot of questions, I did too when I first looked into this sport. As a windsurfer, I’ve spent hours standing on a board out on the water and as a Canadian, I have handled a paddle many times while kayaking or canoeing. But standing on a board and paddling? What kind of upsidedown world do we live in? Have no fear! This article is here to help you. With this post, you should end up with a general idea of what to look for when purchasing a paddleboard and know a little more about the sport as well.

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Origin Story

Stand up paddle boarding originates from Hawaii where it was known as “Hoe he’e nalu”. If you have never seen or heard about paddle boarding, just picture someone with a canoe paddle standing on a windsurf board with no sail. The sport combines elements of surfing, paddling and balancing and it can be done virtually anywhere there is water.

How Does It Work?

You basically stand on a large, floating board and move yourself forward by paddling with a single bladed paddle. Paddle boarding basically gives you a full body workout, using mainly your core muscles. You also engage the muscles in your arms and legs to keep your balance and propel yourself forward. And the intensity of this workout depends entirely on you.

In the end you glide through the water similar to kayaking. With no loud motor to disturb the silence and when done on calm windless days it can be a quite peaceful activity. It’s also relatively easy to do with no steep learning curve. This fact alone makes it accessible for a lot of people. Its no wonder that this sport has become so popular .

WHAT ARE THE BEST STAND UP PADDLE BOARDS FOR BEGINNERS?

As mentioned above, this sport has become quite popular and with summer coming, now is the time to purchase your own SUP. As a beginner, you want to ensure that you get a board that is not going to overwhelm you and provide you with the best possible experience. To help you out, the following is a list (in no particular order) of the best SUP’s on the market today for beginners:

Isle Cruiser SUP

The Isle Cruiser SUP is great for beginners. It is wide and very stable making it a good board to learn on. The board comes with a paddle, an 8’ leash and a center fin. 

10’5” long, 32” wide, weight 25 lbs, rated up to 235lbs

Tower Adventurer 2

The Tower Adventure 2 is an inflatable SUP. This board is a little heavier but stable, making it a solid platform for beginners to learn on. The trade-off on the stability however is that it is a little slower to turn than other boards. It comes as a complete package with a paddle, pump, leash, and carrying bag.

10’4” long, 32” wide, weight 25lbs rated up to 400lbs

TAHE 11’0″ BEACH CROSS SMU

The TAHE Beach Cross SMU is an ultra-stable design with a unique keeled-nose design for first-timers, family fun, fitness, yoga, and fishing. Maximum durability and versatile in flat water conditions

11’0” long, 34.0” wide, weight 39lbs, rated up to 285lbs

Atoll 11′ Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board

The Atoll 11′ is an inflatable board that is very stable and durable. It has a large standing area making it a good platform for beginners to learn on. It comes with a paddle, fins, leash, repair kit, carrying bag and pump.

11’ long, 32” wide, weight 21lbs, rated up to 315lbs

Red Paddle Co Ride Inflatable SUP

The Red Paddle Co Ride inflatable SUP is a great board for all situations. Its durability and stability make it ideal for beginners. Its inflatable design allows for easy transport and storage. Comes with carry backpack, pump, repair kit, and fins.

Length 10’6”, Width 32”, Weight 22lbs

iRocker Cruiser Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board

The iRocker Cruiser is ideal for beginners. It has a stable wide deck ideal for taking your first steps as a boarder. It comes as a complete package with a paddle, leash, pump, and carrying bag.

Length 10’6”, width 33”, weight 24lbs, rated up to 435lbs,

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PURCHASING: BEST STAND UP PADDLE BOARDS FOR BEGINNERS

La Manga del Mar Menor, Costal Calida, Spain

What To Look For When Buying a Stand Up Paddle Board?

For beginners, it’s important to choose a SUP that offers stability, ease of use, and forgiveness while learning the basics of paddling. To help you in making your choice, here are some key features to look for in a SUP for beginners:

All-Around Shape: remember, as a beginner, you’re going to want a board that has a wide and stable shape. Generally, if you go for an “all-around” paddle board, they will have excellent stability making them an ideal beginner platform as you learn to keep your balance on the water.

Length and Width: a longer and wider board (at least 10’ long and 30” wide) will give you more stability. Go too short or too narrow and you’ll spend more time swimming than boarding.

Thickness: The thicker the board (4” to 6”) the better the buoyancy and stability. This will help you to keep your balance and keep you from tipping the board over.

Volume: the higher the volume, the more stable the board is going to be.

Soft Top Construction: For the top surface of the board you want to make sure that the material is going to give you good traction (so you don’t slip) and cushioning (in case you fall).

Inflatable Option: An advantage with buying an inflatable board is that it is more portable and easier to store. An added benefit is that they tend to be a little cheaper.

FINAL THOUGHTS – Best Stand Up Paddle Boards for Beginners

The sport of stand-up paddle boarding, although relatively new, has clearly established itself around the world. The selection of board models that are ideal for beginners is extensive. Hopefully, this post inspires you to check out the different brands, purchase your own board, and get started. To help you further, I’ve added a list of paddle board brands (including those mentioned above but others as well) to keep your eye out for, and wish you good paddling in the future.

Best Stand Up Paddle Boards For Beginners

Stand Up Paddle Board Brands

  • Red Paddle Co
  • Starboard
  • Naish
  • Fanatic
  • Boardworks
  • BOTE
  • Tower
  • Isle

Reg Auge

Reg holds an MBA, is a former Captain in the Canadian military and has worked as a consultant in industry for over 20 years. From his home in Spain, he has spent the last 10 years traveling throughout the Mediterranean, exploring the various countries and regions. He also regularly runs, windsurfs, and kite surfs, maintaining a healthy and active way of life. Captivated by this Mediterranean lifestyle, he began a Blog last year to inspire like-minded souls to learn about and discover this unique region for themselves.

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