How To Choose The Best Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) - SUP Buying Guide

If you're keen to give stand up paddle boarding (SUP) a go, choosing your first board is a big decision. You can waste a lot of money if you think the most expensive SUP is the best one or, at the other extreme, penny-pinching and ending up with a board that takes the fun out of stand up paddle boarding.

So, how do you choose the best stand up paddle board?

By following a few simple guidelines, you can ensure you're buying the best SUP without spending more money than necessary, and make sure you don't miss out on any of the fun.

Quick Links

• Types Of SUPs
• What Size Paddle Board Do You Need?
• Paddle Board Volume & Weight Capacity
• Stand Up Paddle Board Materials
• Paddle Board Shape (Hull Type)
• Paddle Board Fins
• Choosing A Paddle Size

Types Of SUPs

A stand up paddle board (SUP) is a board that's ridden by standing or kneeling on it and pushing yourself forward with a paddle. They're great for building up your core strength. You can ride a stand up paddle board along small waves or on flat water, and it's a fun and relaxing way to stay active while reconnecting with nature.

When comparing stand up paddle boards, there a several styles and types available. Read our guide below to understand how to choose the best one for you.

Solid SUPs

Solid boards are constructed from plastic, fibreglass and carbon fibre. Plastic boards are usually the more budget-friendly option, but they tend to be heavier and a bit more sluggish than the other two materials. Fibreglass and carbon fibre models are extremely durable and lightweight, but carbon fibre SUPs tend to be more expensive than their fibreglass counterparts.

Generally speaking, solid SUPs provide a smoother, faster ride compared to an inflatable board. There's also a greater variety of sizes to select from, and they're more stable in the water.

Inflatable SUPs

Featuring PVC exteriors with a drop-stitch construction that creates an air core, inflatable SUPs come with a pump for inflating the board and a storage bag for when it's not in use. They're perfect for beginners because they're much more affordable than solid boards. This means if you decide that paddle boarding isn't for you, you haven't spent a heap of money to find out!

As well as for newbies, inflatables are ideal for people who are limited for storage space at home, given they can be folded away neatly. This also means they're great for travelling and camping, or even taking with you on an interstate holiday. Not to mention, the compact nature of an inflatable SUP will save you having to fit accessories to your car, like roof racks and tie-down straps, if you need to drive to your favourite SUP location.

What Size Paddle Board Do You Need?

To choose the right stand up paddle board size, the length needs to suit your size, experience and how you'll use it. If you're small and light, then you'll need a smaller board - and a bigger board if you're tall and heavy. If you're a beginner, a bigger board gives you more stability and is easier to balance on, whereas a smaller board is more manoeuvrable for experienced SUP riders.

Best Paddle Board Size For Beginners

Long SUP boards are more stable and easier to balance on, so they're best for beginners. A stand up paddle board with a pointy nose will cut through the water better than one with a round nose. Shorter SUP boards with a narrow nose and/or tail and a rocker (curve) are more sensitive, so they're more suited for experienced riders and surf competitions. A SUP board that's not too long or wide is a good all-rounder for flat water and small waves.

Best Paddle Board Size For Experienced Riders

A light, narrow stand up paddle board between 12'6"-14' with a pointy nose is fast (but less stable) for racing. Experienced SUP boarders will care more about the board shape, weight and fins. If you want to fit more than one person on a stand up paddle board, then you'll need a bigger board.

Stand-Up Paddle Boards Size Chart

Paddle Board Volume & Weight Capacity

The volume and weight capacity of a SUP plays a huge role when it comes to your balance and how easily your board moves through the water. The length, width and thickness of your SUP determines its volume and weight capacity, and board manufacturers combine these three elements in different ways to manage how a board performs.

Take note: Never make a SUP buying decision without first knowing its volume and weight capacity!

A paddle board's volume tells you how well the SUP will float with weight on it (also known as displacement). The higher the volume, the more weight the board can support.

Weight capacity might seem self-explanatory but there are a few good reasons to pay attention to your SUP's limit. Loading a board beyond its weight capacity makes it ride lower in the water, making paddling a real grind. When thinking about weight capacity, it's a good idea to consider not just your own body weight but also the weight of any gear such as food and drink you might want to take with you.

Planing hull boards have a bit of tolerance when it comes to weight capacity and performance, but displacement SUPs can be monsters if they're either over or under-loaded. SUP makers spend a lot of time determining the most efficient position for displacement boards to be in the water. If it's too heavy, a displacement board will sit lower in the water, making it slow and harder to paddle. If it's too light, you'll sit too high on the water surface and your SUP will be harder to control.

Stand Up Paddle Board Materials

When you look at SUP board materials, most are made from glass-reinforced plastic with polyester or epoxy resin and a polyurethane or expanded polystyrene foam core. Epoxy stand up paddle boards are strong, stable and great for beginners (but harder to control in the surf). Some SUP boards have a hollow wood construction instead of foam with epoxy resin. Some are inflatable so they can fit inside the car, are easier to carry and take up less space - they feel solid once fully inflated but are a little less stable than a solid SUP.

Soft, composite foam SUPs will hurt less if they hit you, so they are a perfect option for kids and beginners. Fibreglass or carbon fibre SUP boards are the lightest and fastest, making them the best for racing. If the SUP you want doesn't include a paddle and you're comparing different paddles, then keep in mind that carbon fibre is light and strong so you can push yourself through the water easily. Glass fibre is often more affordable but can be weaker in the water. Aluminium is tougher and more durable, but heavier and harder to move through water.

Paddle Board Shape (Hull Type)

There are two main hull types for SUP boards: planing hulls and displacement hulls.

A planing hull is flat and wide like a surfboard, and is designed to sit higher on the water than a displacement hull to help with your balance. Planing boards are also easy to manoeuvre, making them perfect for beginners or paddle boarders who like leisure paddling, surfing and SUP yoga.

Displacement boards are designed to cut through the water like kayaks and canoes, making them the quicker of the two boards. Not as manoeuvrable as planing SUPs, displacement boards feature less resistance, which creates a smoother ride and makes them the best stand up paddle board for fitness paddling or racing, SUP touring and camping.

Paddle Board Fins

Fins improve the stability of a paddle board. Wider bases and longer front edges on fins will track straighter and be more stable than smaller fins. On the other hand, smaller fins offer better manoeuvrability.

Most fins are removable, so you can swap out fins and remove them from the board for storage. Inflatable SUPs have either flexible rubber fins attached to the board or detachable semi-rigid fins.

Choosing A Paddle Size

When it comes to choosing the right paddle size, a small light paddle is easier to move through the water so it's better for beginners. A heavy paddle is harder to move through the water but gives experienced riders more power. If you're shorter, you'll need a shorter paddle, and if you're tall you'll need a longer one. If you're using your SUP board to surf waves, a shorter paddle will be better. An adjustable paddle can be customised for your needs. To get a feel for the best size paddle for you, try a few at your nearest Anaconda store.

Paddles Size Chart

Recommended Stand Up Paddle Boards

There are a great range of paddle boards available at Anaconda whether you are a beginner looking for your first one or upgrading your paddle board. Check out our top picks below:

Fuel Kirra 10'4" Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard

This SUP glides effortlessly over flat waters, making it an ideal choice for beginners and seasoned water sports enthusiasts. Check out the features in the video below:

Fuel Avoca 10'6" Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard

Navigate lakes, rivers, and tranquil oceans effortlessly with the Fuel Avoca SUP. Capable of holding up to 150 kg, this SUP glides easily and comes with loads of accessories so you have everything you need.

Play More & Pay Less With Our Stand Up Paddle Boards & SUPs At Anaconda

When it comes to the best surfboards, stand up paddle boards, bodyboards, paddles and more for your next outdoor adventure, Anaconda has all of your board needs covered. Before you head out though, make sure you check out our Adventure Centre for more helpful tips and exciting destinations that you can visit with your friends, family and loved ones.

If you liked our Boards Buying Guide, then you might also like some of our other articles, such as:

• 5 x Great Locations To Go Stand Up Paddle Boarding Around Sydney
• How To Get Into Stand Up Paddle Boarding
• What To Wear Paddle Boarding
• How To Plan The Perfect Day At The Beach

Find your local Anaconda store and check out our extensive water sports range for your next adventure on the water!

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