How to choose a Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) for beginners

Paddle board buying guide: Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) is a fun, safe way to get exercise, even in the middle of a global pandemic. This video is a beginner's guide to help you choose the best paddleboard for your needs and budget.

Covered:
inflatable SUP vs. hard boards
touring vs. all round board
Choosing the best allround board for beginner paddleboarders

The Basics
1.) Conditions/ Functions
2.) Height/Weight
3.) Future Goals

The Dimensions
1.) Length
2.) Width
3.) Thickness
4.) Volume

The Shape
1.) Nose
2.) Tail
3.) Rails
4.) Rocker Line

This video includes important tips on how to choose the first Stand Up Paddleboard when you are getting started. Get educated on the dimension, volume and shape features that matter for you before wasting money on a board that is not right for you. SUP's are NOT one size fits all and keep in mind that you get what you pay for. At Blue Planet we have a big selection of boards ranging from inexpensive, user-friendly starter packages and used boards for those on a budget to high end, high-performance boards for expert riders, and everything in between. Come to Blue Planet, the SUP HQ and get some expert advice on picking the right board for YOU.
Aloha!

For more information on choosing the best SUP board and graphics, please visit:

CHOOSING THE BEST STAND UP PADDLE BOARD
Aloha SUP’ers and mahalo for dropping in with Blue Planet Surf. One of the most frequent inquiries we get at our shop in Honolulu, Hawaii is how does one determines what size and type of board is right for them. As avid water enthusiasts, our main objective at Blue Planet Surf is to provide sufficient info to potential paddlers, so that they are equipped with the best knowledge to make the best decision when buying their first or additional boards for their quiver. With the right knowledge, one can choose the ideal board to suit their surfing and paddling needs and ultimately have more fun on the water.

Thank you to our customers for voting Blue Planet as Hawaii’s Best Stand Up Paddle Shop!

12 BASIC POINTS
Below you’ll find 12 images and graphs that will help you with the complex process of finding the right board(s) for you.

As a surfer of many years (bodysurf, bodyboard, shortboard, longboard, and Stand Up Paddleboarding), I personally consider over 100 different variables when I’m choosing my own boards. For a first time SUP buyer, it would be excessive to consider so many variables, so we wanted to simplify the process for our customers.

The boys at the shop and I were able to narrow a potential paddler’s focus down to 12 basic points which we use at our shop in Hawaii every day to help our customers find the perfect stand up paddle board for them.

Keep in mind that surfing and paddling needs are very specific to the rider and their locale, so our images and graphs may not depict info that is 100% accurate for you and where you plan to use the board.

If you have any questions about it contact Blue Planet Surf in Honolulu, Hawaii; or consult your nearest SUP/surf shop for more info.

First and foremost, the paddler must consider what type of paddling they intend to do. By determining if an individual will be surfing, racing, cruising or doing a hybrid of those, they will have already narrowed their board selection down.

In general, the shorter and smaller the board is, the more surfable and maneuverable it will be, while the longer and more streamlined the design is, the more efficiently the board will cover distance and the better the board will be for racing. For cruising, one should consider boards that are in between those two spectrums, and skew their choice either shorter or longer depending on how they want their board to perform.

Height and weight, along with skill level, are the next big factors an individual should pay close attention to. Because paddle boarding requires the board to be on top of the water at all times (different from shortboards where the board may be fully submerged when not planing on a wave), height and weight dictate the amount of floatation the board will need to offer.

[davidvelazquez]

My wife and I absolutely love our boards and have gotten a ton of compliments on them as well. It was a dream being able to attend the board demo in January. We can't wait to return, hopefully next year if we can get a handle on this health crisis. Thank you so much Robert and the entire Blue Planet team.

[sebastiankoch]

Thank you for the info, very insighful

[georgivelev]

Many thanks for this very informative video. This summer I’ve been paddling an iSup which did a great job on introducing me to the sport. I prefer paddling in the sea to flatwater as I find the latter boring and uninteresting. It seems there are so many parameters one should consider when buying a hard board, especially having in mind they can get quite expensive. At the moment, this sport is highly unpopular here in Bulgaria and the only hard boards I can test are some 11’6 32” all arounds that are suited for rentals and schools (read: heavier than usual but stronger) and I would not buy such thing for myself. My best option would be to travel to a store in Germany and test as many boards they have as possible. However, I am not too optimistic I can do this next year because of the crisis. At first glance, I should stay away from the pro-grade boards as I have no aspiration of becoming a pro. I might take part in an amateur competition at some time, though, to race against the likes of me.

[JDGage]

I’m six foot and 190lb. I’m looking for a hardboard but I’ve definitely noticed I need a wider one and at least 11’ long. Got my wife a 10’ one but it only goes up to 200. Where as that extra foot allows another 50lb. I’ll be taking mine anywhere from rivers to lakes to Lake Michigan.

[adoerter]

Recommend the turbo or fun stick for 5’11 195lb male. Over a decade surfing, just never touched a sup beside cruising flat water.

[vladiurasco]

Aloha, Do you see many people on inflatable boards? We are from Canada and would like to try SUP surfing in Hawaii?
Do inflatable work? Thank you

[sergep]

I'm in the market for an iSUP. Just a novice wanting to casually row in calm waters. I can't decide if I should buy a 30" or 32" wide board. Intuitively, a 32" board would seem more stable. Just wondering how much of a difference the width makes.

[SirSelfunk]

Great video! Very informative. One question.. My weight is 158lbs and almost all touring and racing SUP boards in my country have a volume of higher than 250 liters... Is it ok to have a board of that high volume? Thanks

[marianamackinnon]

If I'm 5'2 and about 100 pounds could I use a 8 foot sized board for kids? Is there a specific type made for smaller people? These videos are so helpful and straightforward.

[stevescott]

I can't get enough SUP foil video's

[ScottBros]

Great video and advise !! Love the content !! Just subbed and liked!! I upload crazy GoPro edits on my channel if you want to check it out!!

[tiszakalmanistvan]

why did you even have to clown around with that fucking mask?