Guide To Buying Your First Inflatable Paddle Board
Purchasing a board
First of all, there are two main types of stand up paddle boards, INFLATABLE and HARD. This blog focuses on inflatable paddle boards, aka iSUP. There is such large range of paddle boards available today it can be pretty mind boggling.
In this blog we’re going to share with you the things you need to consider when buying your first paddle board, and we’ll be reviewing a few of our favourite boards from budget to boujee.
So where to start?
The temptation to spend hours browsing Amazon or eBay is too great. On the start of our own personal paddle boarding journey we made this very mistake, and we can confidently say, don’t buy the cheapest paddle board you can find because you will end up with an expensive lilo. Cheaper boards have single layer PVC which is much more prone to punctures. If you can afford double layer PVC then do it!
Ideally you want to look for a board with a minimum recommended PSI of 15. The greater the volume of air in the board the more rigid your board will be. For example Gladiator boards go to 20+ PSI and they are super rigid and stable.
Beginner boards - What size or shape to buy
If this is your first board and you're brand new to paddle boarding, then you might be looking for something super stable. Most SUP brands have beginner boards which may also be described as '‘entry level’ or ‘all rounders’.
The typical size of a beginner board:
Roughly 32” wide, 6” deep, 10’6” long
One size doesn’t fit all. Your paddle board will depend on your weight, check the recommended rider weight before purchasing
We recommend a budget of £400-£900, this will get you a decent board from a reputable SUP manufacturer.
Touring boards - Something to grow into
Personally we recommend that you have lessons first so you can learn on a beginner, then purchase a board that you can grow into. Such as a touring board. Rather than buying a beginner board then wanting to upgrade pretty quickly.
Touring boards with their longer waterline length normally start from about 12’6”. They have a much more streamlined nose shape, and a different shaped fin, resulting in a more efficient glide through the water.
These boards often have a higher price tag. We have mentioned a few of our favourites a bit further down the page.
What will I get for my money?
When you buy a paddle board it will usually come with the following kit:
Paddle board
Paddle
Ankle leash
Manual hand pump
Fin
Repair kit
Carry bag
Carry strap
At the lower end of our recommended budget you can expect to find a decent quality paddle board however there will be compromises. The paddles included are often made from aluminium and in our experience fail to float when dropped in the drink. So look out for a package that includes a fibreglass or carbon fibre paddle, or buy your paddle separately, check these out.
Also the carry bag might be a bit naff. Check that your repair kit includes patches, glue, and a valve tool.
Extras that are worth it
Upgrading your paddle
First aid kit
Go Pro mount, some boards have them already integrated
A decent dry bag
Waterproof phone case, some kits include one
Repair kit with glue & valve tool
A quick release belt for fast flowing/moving water
Dry suite for winter paddling
How should I wear my leash? Read the difference between ankle, calf and waist leashes here
How to pump up my board
The most common question we’re asked:
The PSI isn’t changing, can you check if my pump is broken?
It can feel like you’ve been pumping for ever and ever and the PSI (pounds per square inch) isn’t increasing. You might even be worrying that your board is going to explode.
Be patient, it takes time and effort and you just have to keep on going.
If manually pumping your board is too much work for you then grab yourself an electric pump. {Read our review on electric pumps here}. Just whatever you do, please do not stop at a lower PSI because you think it feels hard enough.
An under deflated board will dramatically reduce the stability you should have when standing.
Top Tip: The valve must be in the upright position when you connect your pump. If it’s in the wrong position then when you remove your pump, all of the air will immediately come straight back out. Double check your boards instructions.
Here are a few beginner paddle boards to get you started…
Hatha
Although it has more of a touring style nose, the size and volume makes it their most popular all rounder paddle board. Hatha have become a favourite of ours as they are UK based and boast the some seriously funky designs, but more importantly we’ve found their products to be consistently of good quality. The Oxygen is stable and has enough room for your child or pooch to hitch a ride. We have a few of these, so If you like the look of this board but want to try before you buy, drop us a message and we’ll organise a demo for you.
Rider weight 65KG – 140 KG
£575.00 – £740.00
Currently on sale to £394
GLADIATOR
We have this board so can speak from personal experience. Gladiator has a range of different sizes, styles and levels to suit all. The Origin comes in three different sizes so you can choose exactly what suits your weight and height. More info here.
This board is budget friendly. There is the option to get the pro or elite version of this board also.
Gladiator has quickly become one of our favourite brands and we use their pro touring boards for our own personal use.
Recommended rider weight 95kg
£399.00
Drop us a message if you’re interested in a Gladiator for special prices
One of the most expensive but the reputable brands. Red’s all rounder Ride 10’6” is their best seller isup, designed to handle gentle paddles on the river as well as adventures out at sea.
Max rider weight 110kg
£899.00
Ideal for lazy river cruising or surfing small waves. Itiwit boards don’t come with much of a kit. You have to buy your pump and paddle separately.
They have a 10 ft version for £50 less, which is better for a smaller weight. From personal experience, these boards are of good quality however it is SUP is single layer PVC, so more prone to punctures. The foam deck provides good grip and it is super comfy.
Fins are also cheap and easy to replace.
Max rider weight 320kg, minimum 80kg
Can carry up to 2 people
£349.99
Touring board examples
Hatha
Touring board - Stride 2021
This 13ft touring board will be excellent for some serious exploration paddles on all forms of water and you’ll definitely pick up a bit of speed on this beauty.
Price starts from £725 which will include everything you need. We’re also pretty impressed with their standard paddles which are fibreglass and float! Effortlessly glide with the Stride. We have a few of these ourselves, so If you like the look of this board but want to try before you buy, drop us a message and we’ll organise a demo for you.
Max rider weight 155kg
£725.00 – £890.00
Loco
Race/touring board - Loco 12’6” x 25-27” x 6” Motion Air Race Touring iSUP
At 27” wide, this super sleek Loco Motion is comparable to riding a wooden log. Not for the faint hearted but so much fun!
No recommended rider weight found
Loco also have some great beginner sups, check them out here.
£649.00 (down from £949)
You might be looking into a second hand board, lots of hire places sell on their end of season stock so keep your eyes peeled. They wont come with the manufacturer warranty but will have often been looked after well. Just check for signs of damage & repairs. Check out the Facebook page: Buy, Sell, Swap Standup Paddleboards UK.
Don’t forget you need a licence to paddle on waterways in England. Get your British Canoeing Membership, for access to 4,500km of waterways.
Now you’ve got your own iSUP, you may be thinking where to take it. Check out our top 10 launching spots along the Thames, read the blog here.
If you have any questions or would like any advise, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Email us at info@paddleup.co.uk
Thank you for reading, India and Joshua :)
Follow up on social media for more tips
