3 Different Types of Paddle Surfboards You Must Know (2023)

Choosing a paddle board

You've discovered stand up paddle boarding and now all you can think about is honing your skills and kitting yourself out with the best SUP gear money can buy. But if you try, you will be discouraged.Choose a stand up paddle board?

rowing pranksThey come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. It can be overwhelming at times. But sometimes a little guidance can help you decide.

Fortunately, we are here to clear the matter up.

There are someThings you should know before buying a SUP, and understanding the different types of stand up paddle boards is one of them. Once you know what kind of SUP you want, you can start thinking about it.What size paddle board do you need?specific to the activity you want to perform.

But let's not be in a hurry: you don't run before you can walk. so don't lookSUP size and weight chartsbefore learning for the first time what types of paddle boards they refer to.

Types of construction of stand up paddle boards

Firstly, stand up paddle boards can be distinguished by their construction and materials.Traditional paddle boardsIt would have been made of wood until fiberglass and epoxy became the standard.

Over time, the materials have evolved and improved to better suit beginner paddlers, learning boards, speed characteristics and handling.Inflatable stand up paddle boardsThey have evolved over the last few years to become the most popular and popular type of stand up paddle board.

However, all types of meetings offer specific benefits that are better suited to certain people than others. Sometimes it's not as clear asInflatable stand up paddle boards vs. fixedor hard compounds on top.

Epoxy/core spatula bretter

Epoxy resin is the type of resin used to make fiberglass paddle boards. Hardboard is usually made with aEPS foam corethat's itwrapped with layers of fiberglasscommonepoxy resin coating. Multiple layers are used and carbon fiber is often chosen for rails due to its strength, durability and lightweight finish.

Rigid SUPs cut through the water and glide with ease. They tend to have sensitive controls, which makes them ideal for SUP surfing and wave maneuvers. The resistance of the material is low, so these boards, depending on their shape, can also reach a lot of speed.

Because these boards respond better to the rider's movements, beginner paddleboarders often struggle with hard boards. As such, epoxy SUPs are more recommended for experienced riders.

While rigid SUPs offer many advantages, a major downside is transporting and storing the board. Rigid boards take up a lot of space and are often damaged because they "get in the way". Due to the longer manufacturing process, it can generally be assumed that epoxy boards are made from epoxy resin.more expensive.

soft/composite top

Stand up paddle boards with soft topThey are made similarly to epoxy resin. They use a foam core but are covered in a soft, fluffy material for a soft, comfortable finish. This makes them less likely to scratch or dent, ideal for surf and paddle boarding schools.

In performance-oriented activities, versatility is limited. However, the soft boards are perfect for families and young paddlers who are likely to hit rocky bottoms or bump into each other while learning.how to row.

These boards are also great for taking dogs with you. Scratching soft coatings will cause less damage than epoxy or inflatable materials.

Due to the extra padding used in construction, soft boards are often heavy. These boards have a layer of polyethylene on the underside to reduce drag. However, this can easily be damaged.

Most top/composite panels are cheap and cheerful. While they may underperform in some areas, they still get the job done and are a good type of paddle board for beginners.

inflatable SUP boards

In recent years, inflatable boards have become more and more popular, in proportion to their quality. it's normalMisunderstanding about a stand up paddle boardthat inflatable boats are made from cheap materials. Modern construction and materials brought iSUPs to market; now they can compete with fiberglass options and excel in some areas of the paddle.

iSUPs are made from durable PVC using drop stitch technology that creates an air core. When properly inflated, inflatable boats should feel as rigid and stable as an epoxy sheet, while also being extremely durable and able to withstand harsh environments. They glide on the surface of the water rather than across it, and therefore can be slower than fiberglass SUPs.

Inflatable boats are in their element when it comes to transporting and storing boards. Simply deflate the SUP, roll it up and store it away.SUP Backpack, usually included in the purchase.

There are many different types of inflatable boards that vary in terms of versatility and performance level, so you really can find something for every type of rider, regardless of skill level and chosen paddling activity.

Inflatable stand up paddle boards are perfect for anyone looking to travel with their SUP and see where their adventure takes them with reliable, versatile performance. They are also ideal for those who are short on storage space.

Main types of Stand Up Paddle boards by activity

Next, we can differentiate the types of paddle surf boards based on their purpose and activity. The sport is evolving quickly and new branches of paddle surfing appear every season. we saw recentlySUP yoga is becoming more and more popular, where yogis hit the water with their SUPs as a floating mat.

While there are many categories of SUP, there are three main types of SUP that cover most areas.

Pranchas de paddle Allround/Flachwasser

Multifunctional stand up paddle boards are fantastic and versatile options that can serve a variety of purposes. They are best suited for flat water paddling and are suitable for all experience levels. A good all-round board can go from the beginner learning to paddle to the experienced paddler enjoying cruising.

Key features include:

• Wide deck and rounded nose.
• Usually 10'6 or more
• Flat hull for stability when stationary
• Multipurpose inflatable SUPs are a popular choice, but epoxy is also available.

Full SUPs are best for stand up paddling in general,SUP-Yoga,paddle fishing, setpaddling with a dogor friends and learn the basics.

surfboards/performance

High performance stand up paddle boards, especially SUP surfboards, are designed to increase maneuverability and speed. They are shorter and respond very well to the rider's weight distribution. Because they are more specialized, these boards are only recommended for more experienced riders and are not suitable for Lazy Lake Paddles.

Key features include:

• narrow and pointed nose
• Usually between 7 and 10 feet long.
• Flat hull for efficient water crossing
• iSUPs can be surfed, but epoxy is the preferred option

The Surf SUP gains stability through movement. It's hard to keep your balance when you're standing still.

Touring/racing paddle boards

Last but not least is the backcountry paddle board. These SUPs are long and streamlined to deliver cutting speed perfect for racing and endurance paddling. These paddle boards are usually made from special fiberglass and carbon fiber materials to make the board as light as possible. Tracking and storage areas are also very important.

Key features include:

• Narrow cape and pointed nose.
• Length between 10' and 13'
• Displacement hull for speed and a smooth ride.
• There are different iSUP variants, but the preferred option is epoxy resin.

These carefully tuned SUPs can be difficult to control at first, but once the rider has mastered the weight distribution, the adventure is unstoppable. Tour boards are perfect for paddling long distances.

Different types of paddle surfboard sizes

And finally, we have different types of paddle boards depending on their size. While the most common size is 10'6 to 11' in length, there may be variations to increase speed, maneuverability or stability when traveling in tandem.

Short, medium or long? That's the question.

short SUP

Short SUPs are less than 3 meters long and are ideal for SUP surfing and for kids to play. These paddle boards have a lower load capacity due to their smaller volume and lower buoyancy. This makes it harder for some riders to remain stable when stopped.

However, a shorter SUP is easier to turn in the water and can glide quickly through a wall of waves, perfect for joining the local lineup.

Medium SUP

Medium SUPs are between 3 and 3.6 meters long. These are the typical stand up paddle boards and the most common for multi purpose stand up paddle boards.

They generally have good volume and buoyancy, making them a stable choice for flatwater boaters of all sizes. The medium sized boards are perfect for SUP yoga and SUP fishing - there's plenty of space on the deck to relax and carry the gear you'll need for the day.

SUP Langes

Long SUPs are 12 feet or longer and typically cannot be longer than 14 feet. Fast, powerful and streamlined, these boards are built for exploration and long-distance riding.

Once the rider gets into the rhythm of paddling, the speed these long SUPs generate is incredible!

Summary: types of stand up paddle paddles

Inflatable or fiberglass, long or short: the combinations for stand up paddle boards are endless. Once you've determined how you want to use your paddle board and where your adventures will take you, there's nothing to stop you from finding the type of paddle board that's perfect for you.

Common questions