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Stand-up paddleboarding or SUP is a hobby that has been growing rapidly in popularity since 2010. Stand-up paddleboarding consists of a rider standing on a large plank, shaped much like a surfboard, and paddling through the water with a long one-sided paddle. The defining difference between surfboards and paddleboards is that paddle boards have large pieces of rubber grips on the top of them, rather than a smooth surface that needs to be waxed for grip, like surfboards.

Paddleboarding can be done in just about any type of water. Some people enjoy boarding in lakes for a relaxing ride, while others may practice SUP in mild rapid rivers or in the ocean for an exciting workout.

Practicing in a rapid river works out many muscles in the legs, and keeps the rider’s core tight from holding balance and paddling. Although paddleboarding is relaxing in steady water, many participants of the sport claim that boarding is a mild core workout that is done by simply paddling peacefully along a smooth lake. When a rider with ideal body weight for their height paddles moderately on smooth water, typical calorie loss is 650-700 calories per hour. Calorie loss can vary depending on intensity, speed, the weight of the rider, and water conditions.

Paddleboarding can be an expensive hobby to start up. New boards can range from five hundred dollars to two thousand dollars in price, while used boards can range from three hundred to fifteen hundred dollars. People who are trying out the sport to see if they like it or not may want to rent a board from a shop to make sure that it is something that they would enjoy doing more than once or twice before making a large purchase. People who are looking to practice in the ocean may also want to purchase a wetsuit to make the cold water tolerable for longer periods of time. It is also important to buy bags for your equipment if you want to prevent storage or transport damage. Although the hobby can be expensive, many claim that it is worth it in entertainment value and workout value.

Stand-Up Paddleboard Types

Are you going to be surfing on ocean waves, taking a stroll on your local lake, or hitting the mild whitewater rapids on the river? Choosing the right stand-up paddleboard based on the types of conditions you will be subjected to, is one of the most important questions that need to be answered before you purchase your new board.

Types of Stand Up Paddle Boards

When determining what type of board you will be the best fit for, the first thing to consider is your own athletic abilities and characteristics. Let’s be honest with ourselves, If you are overweight and out of shape, then it is highly unlikely you will be capable of surfing the big waves or riding the rapids on the river. However, there is some good news for you, paddling on a calm lake can be one of the best ways to get into shape. in fact, one of the biggest reasons this sport has become so popular is its amazing full-body workout benefits. So, walk before you run, or in this case paddle before you shoot the curl.

The different types of SUP boards can be better understood by breaking them down into three basic categories.

Surf Style Stand-up Board – is shorter, has more Rocker (bottom curve), and has rounded rails. These surfboard characteristics give it more agility and better maneuverability. Standing on this type of SUP board will require more balance, coordination, speed, strength, and endurance.

All Around Stand Up Paddleboards – give you the ability to ride small surf or you can paddle flat water as well. These boards are thicker than the surf style and are also wider and longer, giving you more stability. Typically this type of board would be more suitable for the majority of people, due to its versatility along with its increase in length, width, and thickness.

Touring and Race Stand Up Paddle Boards – The most distinctive difference you will see with a race touring board is its boat-like hull shape. They are designed to go faster and smoother through choppy waters. Race touring boards are much narrower than a typical touring board, so they will be much harder to stand on. A standard touring board is very stable and is the easiest of all SUP boards to balance on.

Here is some helpful information on the most commonly used construction methods in building SUP boards. Paddle Boards are typically made in one of three ways. Finding the one that is best for you can be a challenge and with great confusion for the newbie. With words like Epoxy resin, sandwich wood construction, high-density foam sandwich construction, vacuum bagging, Stringers, glassing, EPS foam, XTR foam, and many more like them. You can quickly get frustrated with the buying experience. This guide was created so you can quickly and easily find the board that fits your needs and wants while removing some of the mystery out of paddleboard construction. I hope this will help you in determining what board you need and give you a better chance in making an educated purchasing decision. Knowing that you have the right paddleboard will also give you more confidence in your next water recreation adventures.

Traditional Poly/PU or polyurethane foam Construction

Poly/PU is how a traditional surfboard is constructed. Poly is for polyester resin and PU is for the Polyurethane core of the board. This type of board is hand-shaped or cnc machined out of a polyurethane foam core. Then the core is covered with fiberglass cloth and laminated with polyresin. Then the board is properly cured and sanded smooth.

Pros: Custom shaping and natural flex in board performance.

Cons: This type of construction creates a much heavier board and has less strength, making it prone to dings and punctures. This kind of foam is also more absorbent, so if you do get any holes or cracks where water can enter into the foam core, it will damage the board as well as make the board heavier and less stable on the water.

Traditional Epoxy Construction

The epoxy constructed boards are made the same as a PU board, except for a couple of differences in materials. The EPS foam used is more of closed-cell foam, for less absorbency and an epoxy resin is used instead of the polyester resin found in the Poly/PU construction.

Pros: A stronger lightweight board that can still be custom shaped and your board will be less prone to dings and water absorption. This type of construction has become the standard in Standup paddleboard manufacturing.

Cons: This type of board has less natural flex and is considered to be very stiff, although, many paddlers prefer a stiffer board because they go faster.

Molded Pop-Outs

This type of constructed board is molded rather than hand-shaped. A mold is created based on a traditional fiberglass plug, then the hollow mold is injected with an EPS foam. Then the core is covered with multiple layers of fiberglass, reinforced with high-density foam, and placed in a vacuum or press to compress the materials together, This is called “Sandwich Construction”. Then it is covered with several layers of epoxy resin. A heating element can be incorporated into the mold which will allow the epoxy to cure at a higher temperature, creating a much stronger board. This technique will vary from company to company in order to get the desired flex, weight, or strength.

Pros: This is a lightweight construction with the most durability on the market, A favorite for the experienced paddlers.

Cons: No personalized custom shaping, you will need to find the board that fits your particular needs and characteristics.

To get your start in paddleboarding you will only need a few key pieces of equipment and of course, this will depend on the season and/or conditions you are going to be paddling in. Stand-up paddleboarding can be enjoyed on all types of waterways from ocean waves to lakes and even rivers. For beginner paddlers, it is recommended to start out on as smooth a water surface as possible. Always wear your PFD (personal flotation device) no matter how good a swimmer you are and always stay close to the shoreline.

A paddleboard is obviously going to be your largest and most significant investment, so finding the right board should be your biggest concern. There are many different sizes of paddleboards on the market today, some boards can be used for both surfing and cruising, while others are designed for just cruising. So, if you are going to primarily do one or the other, you should purchase a board designed for doing that. When purchasing a new board, your board size should be determined based on your weight and experience level. A novice or heavier paddler should be fitted with a wider/flatter board that will provide more stability. While an experienced lighter paddler can use a narrower board. After you have found your board, you will need a good stand-up paddle. Although, some of the boards sold will come with a paddle as a package deal and most will be adjustable to your desired length. A good gauge for paddle length is for it to be 6″-8″ longer than your height.

Not Necessary, But Highly Recommended Items Needed

Board Leash – If, or better put, when you fall off your paddleboard, your board will travel faster on the currents than you will and in some cases faster than you can swim. So, wearing a leash will save you a lot of swimming and could even save your life. This is also why we recommend that you use a PFD.

Wet Suit or Dry Suit – Obviously when paddling in cold weather conditions, unless you are crazy or belong to one of those polar bear clubs, you will want to wear the proper clothing. Hypothermia can set in very abruptly catching you off guard and is not much of a good physical condition to handle any emergency situation that arises. So, always plan ahead and wear the proper gear for the particular weather conditions you are planning to Paddleboard in.

When most people think about stand up paddleboarding, the first thing that might come to mind is paddlers out in exotic spots like Hawaii or Southern California. However, in reality, you can paddleboard anywhere there is water. There are plenty of secretly amazing paddleboarding spots across the US that SUP enthusiasts love to try. Let’s check some of them out.

Madison, Wisconsin

Paddleboarding on the beautiful Lake Mendota in Madison, Wisconsin is always an enjoyable and beautiful experience. Among the beauty of nature, you are able to exercise in peaceful settings among other paddle boarders. In fact, every year, there is a Midwest Standup Paddle Festival right in Madison, Wisconsin. There has been an increase in participation because of the quality of the water. Some say it is some of the best flat water paddling in the world.

Yes, people come from all over the world for this wonderful event. Though they look forward to enjoying the event itself, the enjoyment of simply being able to paddleboard in a beautiful setting on beautiful water brings a smile to all the participants’ faces. You will no doubt feel the same as you are able to quickly guide to and fro on the flat water of the lake, while taking in the gorgeous green surroundings.

Hood River, Oregon

If you are paddleboarding in Hood River, Oregon, then you are paddleboarding in one of the most scenic areas in all the state. Surrounded in rolling hills covered in green trees and shrubbery, the rushing Colombia River Gorge makes for a very exciting experience, as you get to experience the excitement of gliding over the swells of the rapidly moving river. The swells are continuously forming there because the wind runs opposite of the current of the river.

This makes paddleboarding here a tad difficult, so you will need a good level of physical fitness, as well as some experience paddleboarding to make this a successful paddle trip. You should take all safety measures into consideration on this river, wearing a life jacket while paddleboarding with others. Even still, long glides and sparse traffic on the river make for an unforgettable adventure as you enjoy perfect conditions and good company with other paddlers who want to experience the same.

Lake Tahoe, Nevada

Lake Tahoe is a favorite paddling spot for many boarders, not just for the boarding itself, as the scenery is simply breath taking. As you paddleboard on Lake Tahoe, you are surrounded by large granite boulders around you and underneath you. The water is crystal clear, ranging over a whole spectrum of colors. From turquoise green to bright blues, you see it all. The color and clarity of the lake depends the clarity of the sky. The beauty of the lake has made paddleboarding explode in the area for the past five years or so.

It is an incredibly enjoyable experience to paddleboard here on the lake, and it’s very different from paddleboarding on any river or in any ocean. It is peaceful and relaxing, and you are sure to love being able to go at your own pace at your own time without having to worry about waves or swells. Even still, safety precautions need to be met. The water can be quite cold during certain seasons of the year and you should therefore be boarding with others and wearing a life jacket.

Why is the surfboard type so important? You need a surfboard that gives you the performance you need to ride waves. You need a surfboard that

• Paddles easy

• Catches waves easily

• Floats your weight

• Fits your height

• Is good for the conditions where you surf

• Suits your level of surfing

I believe in the saying that “foam is your friend”. Too often surfers choose a surfboard type that looks cool, that is too thin, too narrow, has too much nose rocker, and is too thin. The “cool” surfboard is normally way too small for the rider.

Surfing a board that is too small for you makes it much more difficult for you to have fun and success on the waves. The cool surfboard is hard to paddle, makes catching waves difficult, does not float you, and stalls out when you need to transition to the next section of the wave.

If you have a surfboard that is fit to your size and weight, you will be able to catch more waves because the board will float you and make it easy for you to paddle. You will be able to make sections that you couldn’t possibly have made on a surfboard type that was too small for you.

Having a board that paddles easy allows you to get in the wave earlier, which allows you to make better decisions in the beginning of the wave and gives you better results on the wave. Catching the wave early makes it easier to transition from the prone paddling position to the standup position. You will not have to sit and wait until the last second when the wave is just about to break, which results in a very difficult maneuver called a “late takeoff”. Experts can do this, but normally getting into the wave early is preferable for intermediates and beginners.

Surfing the proper type surfboard will make your surfing session fun and give you a good feeling of success. You always want to come out of the water with a smile on your face. In most cases, the proper equipment will make this possible no matter what the surfing conditions.

Rely on the experts and the belief that “foam is your friend” in picking out the surfboard that will best suit you for the overall conditions at your local surf break.

Fun and success surfing is what you want to experience with your new surfboard and that is what you will have with the proper type surfboard.

It is so much fun to Surf Life. The type surfboard you choose will make this happen.