Things To Look Out For When Buying Your First Inflatable SUP

Here's our top things to consider when buying your first inflatable SUP

Thickness – SUP boards range from 4 to 6 inches thick. Whilst the 4 inch boards will be fine, they do sit closer to the water. The heavier you are the more likely you are to get your feet wet! For beginners, a board anywhere between 4-6 inches deep will be more sturdy and easier to get started.

Length – there's so many different board lengths! For an all rounder board when you're starting out, go for the 10'6 or 10'8 depending on your weight and height. These will be the best 'all rounders' when starting out and provide a nice balance between stability and maneuverability. Looking for something a little more specialist? Check out our article on types of SUP boards available.

Width – the wider the board, the more stable it will be. Boards which are narrow in the middle tend to be better for racing or touring. Beginners will want a wider board to begin with. Generally, something around 32 inches wide should be sufficiently stable. Many people will make the mistake of upgrading a board too early. You know like when you were a kid and your parents would buy your shoes the next size up so you can grow into them? Whilst it might mean you have the board for longer, your experience can be tarnished and your technique might be hampered. It's better to learn on a board that is suitable for learning and making mistakes on, rather than a board you later come to dislike spending time on because it's too unstable for you when you start out.

What else do I need to think about?

What's your budget? It would be great to live in a world where we didn't have to consider money… but we do. So, before you get lost down a rabbit hole of different boards and styles, set out your budget. What can you realistically spend on your board? That way when you look you can try and get the best bang for your buck! You can spend anywhere between £250 and £1,000+ on a quality board that will last, it all depends what your plans for paddling are.

Weight of the board. Now, if you're just planning on pumping your board up by the car and dropping it in the canal straight at the side of you, you can kind of discount this. However, if you're planning on going on an adventure with your SUP – ie having a little walk and then pumping up in a remote spot, check the weight of not just the board but also the weight of the whole package. Some SUPs weight A LOT more than others, so it's worth checking, especially if you're walking or catching public transport.

A few more things to consider when buying your first inflatable SUP…

Drop stitch technology. If you can afford a board with good quality drop stitch technology, it's worth the investment. Drop stitch technology makes the board more rigid when inflated and stops it from bulging in the middle.

Fin setup (one vs three). You'll have seen that different boards have different fin systems. Some have one main middle fin, some have three finds in a V formation. Unless you're planning on doing something very specific, this doesn't matter too much. Generally, the one fin setup is better for touring, tracking and long journeys, and the three fins are better for all round paddling and especially surfing.

How easy is it to get parts? There's nothing worse than getting a board, going out for a few plays and then either breaking it or having a fault. Make sure the place you're purchasing from or the brand you're buying from is reputable if you can. Sorting any issues and being able to get hold of new parts saves a lot of money in the long run as we don't want boards to just be used for a summer and then end up in landfill! Consider your new board as an investment, a little bit like you would with a trusty winter coat.