Best Paddle Boards For Surfing

Inflatable Paddle Boards For Surfing

We have been asked a lot over the years whether inflatable stand up paddle boards can be used for surfing and if they are rigid and responsive enough to ride waves.

The answer is yes. You can use just about any ISUP for stand-up paddle surfing although certain models are far better suited than others and in general they will handle better in light surf as opposed to big surf.

Best Inflatable Paddle Boards 202: For Cruising Touring And Surfing

Get on board with the hottest hobby around with one the best inflatable paddle boards

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This year has seen the best inflatable paddle boards market explode in terms of range and affordability of products, a rapid reaction to the stand-up paddle board craze going truly mainstream.

Indeed, today in 2022, SUP-ing has never been more popular, with inflatable paddle board brands and retailers popping up left, right, and center. Going stand-up paddle boarding has now overtaken many other traditional water sports in terms of popularity.

And that popularity is understandable, too, as paddle boarding is super fun and accessible to get into, and the boards themselves continue to get cheaper and more high-tech.

A good touring board can cover quite a decent distance over a few hours too, in almost complete silence, making them a good choice for nature-spotters of all types. Thereâs also a growing movement towards using SUP boards for Pilates and Yoga workouts, adding an extra dimension both literally and visually to a workout.

What Is A Paddle Board

A paddle board is a type of surfboard propelled by a person using a paddle. They are often shorter and wider than traditional surfboards, making them easier to manoeuvre in the water. They are also popular for fishing, as they can catch fish from a distance.

I have written a post on "Best RunwaveInflatable Stand Up Paddle Board." Do check it out.

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How To Choose The Best Inflatable Sup Board For Surfing

If youre hoping to catch waves on your inflatable SUP, its essential to pay attention to a few things. Technically, you can go iSUP surfing with any board, but some make it easier than others.

As this below video by Sup Boarder explains, picking the right size, shape, and thickness is essential for surfing on an iSUP. Also crucial is finding the right type ofrails, tails, and deck padding.

Starboard Astro Whopper 10

The Whopper kind of rocks. Why? For one its made by Starboard, who never seems to disappoint.

Second it is versatile and super fun. The width is 35 making it quite stable even for a smaller board.

It comes in a 4 thick or 6 thick option. The two attached side fins and one removable larger center fin lets you customize it for surf, touring or river paddling.

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The Benefits Of Hard Paddleboards

Stability is one of the big benefits of a hard SUP. There is always going to be a little bit of flex in an inflatable SUP, whereas with a hard SUP, there is zero flex. This is why hard boards are better for performance maneuvers like SUP surfing.

Yes, you can surf on an inflatable, but a hard board sends more power to the rails of the SUP for quicker, sharper turns. And there are other reasons why you might prefer a hard paddle board. The hard boards are smoother, faster, and glide a bit farther than an inflatable.

And some people just prefer the solid hard board because that is the original, traditional design of a stand up paddleboard.

• Good for small to chest high waves

Your gonna love the Adventure All Rounder MX from Surf Industries!

This versatile SUP will adapt to your paddling whether you’re cruising in flatwater or riding small to medium sized waves.

The generous board outline and the relaxed rocker, let the rider generate smooth acceleration, with just a few easy strokes. The tail of the Adventure MX has been pulled in slightly and the bottom contour is designed for smooth flowing turns.

The textured deck traction, and the GoPro mount on the nose of the board, make this model very user friendly.

The structural integrity of this hard board comes through the high pressure molding of multiple components, which are a medium density EPS core, 5 layers of Fiberglass and a special epoxy resin thats mixed with carbon strands.

Am I Getting The Best Value With My Sup Surfing Board Choice

A well-designed and built inflatable SUP is a significant investment, so youll want to make sure to choose wisely and get a board that will get you having fun on the water as much as possible.

If you will be surfing frequently, it makes sense to consider a surf-specific board and have a second board for other types of paddling. If surfing will be one of many things you want to do on your board, we recommend choosing an all-around board that has the right shape and features to perform for you when there are waves to catch.

With those basics under your belt, come see our selection of the best inflatable paddle boards for SUP surfing.

Pumped Up SUP is an online store specializing in high-performance inflatable stand up paddle boards and accessories. We’re always happy to answer your questions – just give us a call at 1-877-777-1769.

Want Expert Advice on Choosing an Inflatable SUP Board?

Check out our 2022 Inflatable Paddle Board Buying Guide – or – The Best Inflatable Paddle Board – Reality vs the Internet.

Want To Buy an Inflatable SUP Board?

Explore our range of SUP boards for sale by activity / use in Inflatable SUP Type or focus on Inflatable SUP Brands to find the right board for you.

Want Answers to Anything Stand Up Paddle Boarding and Inflatable SUP?

The Pumped Up SUP SUP Paddle Blog is the best resource on the internet for up to date information to help with your next inflatable SUP purchase!

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Top 10 Best Paddle Boards For Surfing

If youre on the hunt for the best paddle boards for surfing then youve come to the right place.

SUP surfing has been gaining in popularity over the last few years, and theres a growing market to match the demand. But it can still be hard to find a good SUP board for surfing, especially if you dont know what to look for.

Weve pulled together a list of the ten best paddle boards for surfing, along with some key considerations youll want to contemplate before you make your decision.

View Contents

Paddle Boards For Beginners

Learning paddling is not that difficult. I recommend a calm lake for the start. Start by sliding the board about hip deep into the water, then get on the board with your knees first. Place your knees in the middle of the board .

Now align yourself to the front. The paddling stance is always parallel and about shoulder width. The carrying handle is exactly under your bodys center of gravity. Now slowly stand up.

Just like cycling, the balancing act in the standing position is the hardest part. Once you start paddling, the resistance of the paddle in the water gives you support and the speed immediately makes the board more stable.

The paddle is gripped with the hand of the paddle side down. This hand only guides the paddle. The other hand is on the handle of the paddle. All the power comes from this arm. The arm is permanently stretched.

• If you paddle right, the left hand is on top of the handle, the right hand is on the bottom of the shaft and the left arm is permanently stretched.
• If you paddle left, the right hand is on top of the handle, the left hand is on the bottom of the shaft and the right arm is permanently stretched.

Note: The paddle blade is usually beveled. The beveled side faces forward.

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The Best Spots For Wave Paddle Board Beginners

Beginners will find the best spots in countries like France, Spain and Portugal. Here, one surf school follows the next on the Atlantic beaches. More and more of them also offer Wave paddling courses. I expect that the number of surfing courses especially for paddle board will increase.

You will also find courses on Fuerteventura or Sardinia. On the latter island, however, there are many more schools offering kitesurfing. For paddle board surfing you will have to search longer.

If you want to go further away, Cape Town, Bali and probably the origin of paddle boarding Hawaii are the best destinations. Hawaii is the El Dorado of surfing. Paddle board surfing is also becoming more and more popular here.

Sup Surfing Vs Traditional Surfing

SUP surfing and traditional surfing vary considerably when youre SUP surfing, youre already standing up when you catch a wave, as opposed to traditional surfing where you have to jump to your feet and maintain your balance as the wave begins to break.

This leads many people to believe that SUP surfing is easier, and while this is generally true, it is still necessary to practice keeping your balance on a SUP and learn wave-catching techniques.

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Can You Surf On A Paddleboard

Yes, you can definitely surf on a paddleboard. In fact, with the right board, you can do almost anything on the water.

Most paddleboards are designed to let the user cruise, paddle, fish, surf, and perform some yoga moves.

In terms of surfing some boards are designed specifically with SUP surfing in mind.

This makes it a lot easier for a paddleboarder to ride rougher waters without losing balance or falling off the board.

Diversification Of The Paddle Boarding Discipline

The modern face of paddle boarding has a clear and evident surfing heritage. It is also considered an exclusive surfing activity well, this was true until approximately 2005. At this point, the surfing appeal that was made popular by people such as Leleo Kinimaka, Brian Keaulana, Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama began to make room for an all-new chapter in the history of SUP a diversification of the discipline.

It was at this time that the standup paddlers started to participate in paddleboard races and eventually there were SUP only divisions created. Additionally, those into fitness started doing yoga and Pilates on boards designed specifically for those activities. From this point, stand up paddling started to emerge and evolve into something much more than just what was offered in the beginning.

Some of the pioneers in different users for paddleboards included:

• Racing was the Hobie Dream Team with Archie Kalepa
• Surfing was Leleo Kinimaka, Laird Hamilton, Brian Keaulana and Dave Kalama
• Flatwater and touring was Ernie Brassard
• Fishing was BOTE and the West Coast Paddlers
• Fitness and yoga was Sarah Tiefenthaler, Gillian Gibree and Nikki Greg
• River was Charlie MacArthur, Corran Addison and Dan Gavere

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Do You Want A Hard Board Or An Inflatable Board

There is a big difference when it comes to hard boards or inflatable SUP boards. I will just go over these differences again quickly:

• Hard boards are harder to store and transport because you cant just roll them up
• Inflatable boards are thicker when inflated and can often carry more weight
• Hard boards are thin and are more suitable for carving waves

So where for every other type of paddle board I recommend inflatable SUP boards, because of the added stability, the lower price and the ease to carry it along. If you are truly committed to SUP surfing a hard board will be worth checking out though, as you can reach more speed and you can be even more versatile on the waves.

However, inflatable SUP boards also have their advantages for surfing. When you fall down you will have a softer landing and you can be sure at some point the board will hit your head, which is a lot less painful when this happens with an inflatable board.

When learning how to surf you spend of lot of time practicing on your knees, which is also more comfortable on an inflatable board.

It will be more challenging to grab waves when you cannot adjust the board as quick, which will in turn be hard again. These are two really different styles that take practice to master.

Best Paddle Board For Surfing Reviews

Choosing the appropriate paddle board for surfing can be tough. However, if you consider these factors, your job will be easier.

• Product Quality: A product that you won’t have to buy again or that will last you a long time is an important consideration, especially when it comes to the paddle board for surfing. Nobody would want a low-quality or easily worn-out object. They are even willing to spend a somewhat greater price for a good product.
• Ease of Use- A vital trait of any replace_keyword] is its ease of use, so most item did well in this metric. How easily can you use your product?
• Ergonomics Ergonomics was a much simpler metric for these products. We split it into three aspects: comfort, aesthetics, and profile design. Most of our listed products are decently comfortable, and we think it is one of the group’s sleeker and more stylish designs.
• Comfort Comfort is the other primary factor we took into consideration when evaluating paddle board for surfing. After all, the more comfortable a paddle board for surfing is, the less likely you will dislike it. We pay attention to softness, shape, and size.
• Value is always important, but the range for paddle board for surfing is relatively narrow. We feel that the #1 model offers a great value for most people and that the #2 is great for advanced users.

#1 Best Overall paddle board for surfing:

After considering the above, we nominated this model as our Top Pick.

See the details features here:

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The Best Way To Find Out What Type Of Stand

We have one of the largest selections of all-around and surfing paddle board rentals in Kona, Hawaii. Our location, Kahaluu Bay is one of the best spots to test drive a stand up paddle board. We also offer Stand Up Paddle Surf Lessons daily. With areas for stand up paddle surfing and beginner stand up paddlers, you are sure to find the SUP experience you are looking for.

New to stand up paddling? Check out our beginners guide on How To Stand Up Paddle.

Best Inflatable Sup Boards You Can Surf

INFLATABLE STAND UP PADDLE BOARDS THAT PERFORM IN WAVES

Paddle board surfing demands a board that is highly maneuverable, has enough nose rocker to keep the nose above water, but is fast enough to catch waves easily. Surfing paddle boards are generally not as long as touring or all-around boards and are often narrower than whitewater boards.

A well designed all-around SUP will be able to mix it up and catch waves, and many of our picks here are multi-use boards that will let you do it all. For more specific information on SURFING SUP boards see our Buyers Guide article 5 Questions You Need to Ask Before Buying a SUP Surfing Board

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Here Are A Few Reasons Why We Love The Flood For Surfing:

Whether you have a solid paddle board or an inflatable SUP, it’s possible to surf your SUP based on your skill level and the intensity of the waves. We’re not saying we designed every stand up paddle board with surfing in mind, but under the right conditions and with a little skill you can surf half the solid and inflatable SUPs across the BOTE line up.

Which Is Better: An Inflatable Paddle Board Or A Hard Board

Inflatable paddle boards now account for about 90% of the market. In many areas of the paddling sport, these types of boards strongly dominate.

The ease of transportation and storage are a major reason for this. However, for wave paddling, hard boards are much better.The edges are much more defined than would be possible with inflatables. In the wave the hard boards show much better characteristics.

For paddle board wave riding, hard boards have been used almost exclusively.

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So What Is The Best Inflatable Sup For Surfing

The best inflatable SUP for surfing will depend on where you plan to surf. If youre riding the play wave at your local river, youll want the NRS Whip. Conversely, if you stick to ocean waves only, the Red Paddle Whip 810 is the best surf sup. And if you plan to travel the world looking for that big wave to surf. Check out the Stubby Air Premium.

Once youve found the Best Inflable Paddle Board for you, head out and catch a few waves on your new inflatable stand-up paddleboard!

Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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