It’s time to buy your first SUP. So you’ve just gotten the bug for the newest thing on the water SUP, or Stand Up Paddling. You took a lesson or borrowed a friends board and now want to buy one for yourself.
Buying an SUP is a costly purchase and should be done wisely. When it comes to an SUP there are many things to take into consideration. One is the size of the person. Two is the experience of the person who will paddle on the SUP. Three is the conditions that the SUP will be used in.
In most cases where an SUP will be used is flat water. The majority of SUP’s will be used on water that is not really moving, lakes, slow streams, and maybe a flat ocean. When it comes to buying your new or used SUP there are a few things to take into consideration. Most surf or SUP shops will carry a few of the many brands that are available. Most locations will allow you to test drive an SUP to see how you like it. Schools teach and introduce newbies on how to use the paddle and how to work with the SUP before a purchase is needed. The newest craze on the water for surfing, and cross training with low impact.
Sup’s range in price and size. Prices range from as low as $800 complete to over $2000. This sport has pricing very similar to wind surfing. The two main components is the board and the paddle. SUP boards very in size from 9′ to 13.5′, some custom boards are even smaller. There are some that are longer for SUP racing. An SUP is roughly 31″ wide in most lengths, but some boards do have lesser widths to around 27″ and maybe slightly narrower. A wider board will give you more stability and floatation. Narrower boards will allow for faster turning, but less stability and flotation.
New SUPer’s need to know what will work and what won’t. We start our clients on longer, wider boards to ensure better learning. If you are on something smaller, and narrower you won’t have the same opportunity for success. If you weigh under 150 lbs then you can use a board around 10′ to 10.5’x27”. These boards are for lighter SUPers. Women can use this type of board as long as they don’t have a lot of weight to buoyant. If you are on the edge of this weight you may want a board that is 31″ in width to help with stability. If you weigh between 150 and 200 lbs, you should be looking at a board that is 11′ to 12′ x31”. This is a good board to start your SUP career on. If you weigh 200 to 250 lbs, you should be looking for at least a 12’x31” SUP. If you weigh more than 250 lbs, you should be looking for a board that is 12.5 to 13’x31”.
Once you have gotten the mastery of the board and paddle use, you can move to a smaller board. I have seen shops that have a demo that is 11.5’x27” and the board is not good for the newbie that is 250 lbs or higher. A wider board will give you the stability you are looking for and you’ll spend more time on top of the water and less in it. Make sure to get an introductory lesson from a professional that can guide you and teach you the basic techniques needed to work correctly with an SUP and paddle. There are many board designs and paddles to choose from when making this purchase. Don’t be afraid to get all the knowledge needed to make the right choice.
There are many manufactures of SUP’s from Surftech, C4, Yolo, Jerry Lopez, Jimmy Lewis, NSP, and countless others that make stock and custom SUP’s. All these and many more have deals that will include board and paddle in most cases. Many deals can be made by internet and have a great cost savings for you the new SUPer. Make sure that you have researched these things so you get the best deal and get the right equipment so you can have real fun. Consult with your professional instructor for all necessary information and guidance with you inquiry. Good decisions = good results.
Paddle sizing is another area for the new SUPer. Making sure that the paddle is really not more than 8” to 10” overhead will also help your new endeavor better. Paddle types range from fiberglass to carbon fiber. Fiberglass paddles are less expensive and will run you between $225 to $260. Carbon fiber paddles are more expensive with prices from $325 to $400. There are some prefixed paddles that have a lesser retail value, but have aluminum shafts and plastic blades. Most paddles that you purchase have to be sized and cut down to allow proper usage. You might not have that if you buy online, but many sites do cut the paddle to size for each customer.
This is an insight into buying your first SUP board. This is a general overview into your new purchase. If you buy through Craig’s List or some other means, buyer beware. Research before you make that high dollar purchase. Take some lessons or get a demo. Learn what works and how you will be rewarded by getting the right board for you. The surf shop or SUP shop can guide you, but when in doubt, contact an expert for more and better info. Hope this helps with making your new SUP purchase. We are available to guide you and teach you the proper techniques and make this a great purchase.