Riding style
The general style of riding that the SUP board is designed for. It is this parameter that you should pay attention to first of all when choosing a board — the design features and behavior on the water directly depend on it. At the same time, we note that some models combine several similar purposes: for example, a walking board can have a mount for a sail and can also be used for windsurfing.
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Leisure. SUP boards designed for leisurely pleasure riding on calm water over relatively short distances. They have a large length and width, thanks to which they are stable, simple and easy to manage. It is this option that is recommended for beginner riders, as well as for those who plan to ride “slowly and relaxed” or make water trips of short lenght. However, in addition to this, leisure boards have another use case — they are considered a good option for surfing (see below) if the rider has a massive physique (weight 90 kg or more).
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Surfing. SUP boards designed for riding high waves. They differ in relatively small size, small width and, usually, a narrowed tail. All this provides high manoeuvrability, but reduces stability (therefore, it makes no sense to use such boards for long rides in calm water). Surf paddleboards can be inflatable or rigid; the first variety is well suited for small waves and is convenient for beginners (in particular, because it is more pleasant to fall on an inflatable surface), while rigid models are designed for m
...edium/high waves and more advanced users. Also note that most surf models are designed for riders of light to medium build; for massive people (from 100 kg or more), it is better to use leisure paddleboards for this purpose.
— Touring. A type of board designed to travel long distances. They are distinguished by a large length, which allows you to develop high speed and maintain it for a long time. Sometimes two varieties are distinguished among such models: touring sapboards, relatively wide and stable, and “racing touring” — narrower and less stable, but also faster models. Anyway, keep in mind that maintaining balance on a touring board can take some getting used to, it is somewhat more difficult than on a walking board.
— Sports / high-speed (Race). Supboards built for high speeds. They are distinguished by a large length and a very small width, due to which they cut the water when moving forward. On the other hand, such boards are very unstable, and their manoeuvrability leaves much to be desired. Therefore, the main scope of their application is racing on straight (or relatively straight) routes; and riding on such a board requires a certain skill.
— Windsurfing (Windsurf). Supboards designed for windsurfing — sailing. In most cases, these are walking boards (see above), Supplemented with sail mounts. Models for windsurfing are made mainly inflatable.
— Yoga/Fitness. A specific type of SUP boards; relatively speaking, such a board is a floating yoga mat. In terms of shape and characteristics, such models are close to leisure ones (see above), but they can have an even greater width — for maximum stability — and specialized equipment such as additional handles and a special deck covering.
— For fishing. The SUP board has a special shape and is equipped with everything you need to place rods, a cooler, a glove box and even a seat on the board. A board for fishing is comparable in size to SUP boards for yoga or fitness. Such platforms are not designed for high-speed driving and can manoeuvre well. But due to the large area, the SUP board shows excellent stability — it is very difficult to turn such a board over, even if it is done intentionally. Additionally, fishing SUP boards are equipped with numerous eyelets, carabiners and clamps, thanks to which you can securely and safely place tackle, equipment and accessories on board.Dimensions
Board dimensions in length and width. Traditionally, the length of a board is given in feet/inches, such as 10'6", the width is only in inches, such as 32".
Each style of riding (see above) has its own requirements and nuances of choosing sizes. Specific recommendations on this subject can be found in special sources. Here we note a few general points related to this parameter:
— Length directly affects directional stability and manoeuvrability. Other things being equal, a long board will stay on course better, but turn worse, a short board will do the opposite. That is why, for example, touring and sports boards are made long, and surf boards are relatively short.
— From the width, in turn, depends on the lateral stability and speed characteristics. A wider board is easier to balance, but the higher drag will slow it down than a narrower board.
Also note that the size of the board affects the price and weight category: a larger board is better for a tall and heavy rider, but it will also cost more.
Dimensions (WxDxT)
The dimensions of the board are indicated in centimeters. For more details about the dimensions themselves and their meaning, see the paragraph above. This paragraph more clearly describes the dimensions of the models for the European population to whom the metric units are closer.
Max. rider weight
The largest weight allowed for this model of the board; note that we are talking about the total weight of the load, including both the swimmer himself and additional equipment or luggage carried on the board. In no case should this weight be exceeded: although it is not so easy to drown a SUP board. However, under off-design loads, the board can simply break at the most inopportune moment; and there is no need to talk about normal controllability in such cases. And it’s worth choosing according to the maximum weight with a certain margin — in case of emergencies (for example, collisions) and with the expectation that on the board you might want to ride someone else with you.
Board volume
The physical volume of the paddleboard.
The choice for this parameter depends on the weight of the rider and his skill. The most famous rule says that to calculate the optimal volume, you need to multiply the weight of the swimmer by the so-called Gild coefficient (GF). GF is related to the skill level, for beginners it is 2, for experienced — 1.7, for professionals — 1.3. Thus, for example, for a beginner with a body weight of 80 kg, a board with a volume of 80*2=160 liters is suitable. If you also plan to carry luggage/equipment on the board, then you need to add another 20 – 30 liters to the result (in our example, this will give 180 – 190 liters). However, for a beginner board, the volume can be noticeably larger than it follows from the Gild coefficient. For more advanced boards, there are some specific rules, which can be found in special sources.
Features
— Sail mount. This feature is mandatory for boards used in windsurfing (see "Suitable for"), but can also be found in other varieties. Note that relatively recently sails have appeared with specific bindings of their own that can be installed on any paddleboard, not just a windsurfboard. However, it is best to sail on exactly the board for which such a possibility is directly stated.
— Mount for camera / GPS. The board has space for attaching various accessories. Most often we are talking about action cameras or GPS navigators, hence the name; however, the matter is not limited to this, other devices and devices can be installed on the SUP boards — for example, stands for spinning rods. The installation site itself usually looks like a threaded socket, where the fastening of the required accessory is screwed; thread sizes in most cases are standard, but it still does not hurt to clarify them separately.
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Remote control. The remote control option is applicable to SUP boards with an electric motor. The possibility of remote control is implemented by a special remote control that uses the Bluetooth module. The remote control itself is most often attached to the paddle handle. By means of remote control, it is possible to switch the speeds of an electric motor. Usually, the remote control is additionally equipped with a water sensor. If such a remote control is dropped into water, the operation of the electric motor autom
...atically stops.
— LED backlight. Usually, light sources are mounted from the bottom side, that is, the lighting is directed from top to bottom. The backlight can be controlled by the remote control. LED lighting increases the comfort of using the SUP board at night, as it allows you to illuminate the water surface within a radius of up to 5 metres. In addition to the applied value, the backlight also provides an additional decorative effect.In box
Additional items included in the package in addition to the board itself.
— Paddle. The paddle is the most important piece of equipment for any SUP board — such boards were originally designed for propulsion by rowing. It can even come in handy for a sailboard: even if the wind subsides, you can fold the sail and continue moving. The presence of the paddle in the kit eliminates the need to purchase it separately; on the other hand, the length of such an paddle may not be suitable for the user (recall, it should be 10 – 30 cm more than height). So when buying a board in a similar configuration, you should clarify this point. Also note that the kit usually includes inexpensive oars made of relatively simple materials and having a rather large weight; professional "tools" must be purchased separately.
— Paddle bag. A bag designed for a paddle(see the relevant paragraph). It is undesirable to store and carry the paddle without packaging, so if there is no bag in the kit, it will have to be purchased separately or made from improvised materials; both are not very convenient.
— Pump. Special pump for inflating an inflatable SUP board. Most often, hand pumps are included in the delivery package: they require certain physical efforts to be pumped, but they do not depend on the power supply. Almost all modern inflatable paddleboards are equipped with their own pump.
— Board stripe. Stripe designed to wrap the...inflatable board in the "stowed position". It is put on the folded shell of the board, pulled together and fixed with a special fastener, condensing the shell as much as possible and reducing its dimensions to a minimum. It is a very useful addition, it allows you to pack the product much denser than with manual folding.
— Leash. A kind of "leash" that attaches the board to the rider's leg — so if the swimmer falls off the board, the board will not float away even with strong waves or currents. Ideally, the length of such a "leash" should be 20 – 30 cm longer than the length of the board itself. In some models, the leash is twisted into a spiral — thanks to this, when skiing, it lies in a compact bay, does not get underfoot and does not create inconvenience.
— Life jacket. A traditional life jacket is equipment that allows a person who has fallen into the water to stay on the water, even if he cannot swim or has lost consciousness. The use of such equipment is recommended even for experienced riders; and if the user of the board does not swim well, if it is a child, or if the board is used in rough water, dangerous even for a skilled athlete, the presence of a life jacket is almost mandatory. At the same time, such products are rarely included in the kit of SUP boards. This is because, ideally, the life jacket must be selected for a specific person in terms of size and buoyancy, and the life jacket in kit may not be suitable. However, even a not-so-suitable life jacket is better than none.
— Centrofin. The rigid central fin is quite large in size (or several fins, depending on the pattern). It is installed in a special slot on the bottom, provides stability on the course and prevents wind drift; in this regard, the centrofin is similar to the centerboard system (see the relevant paragraph), but it has a simpler design and smaller dimensions. Removable such fins are made for two reasons. Firstly, with the centrofin removed, the board is easier to store and transport. Secondly, this part is one of the fastest wearing parts, it is regularly subjected to collisions with underwater objects and the bottom, and with a strong impact it can even break; in such cases, the fin is easier to replace than to repair (or change the whole board). Note that the absence of such an accessory in the package usually means not that it needs to be purchased separately, but that the board uses a fin pattern in which the centrofin is not provided at all.
— Daggerboard system. A centerboard is a large fin used in sailing vessels to reduce drift from side winds. The differences between such a fin and a centrofin (see the relevant paragraph) are, firstly, even larger sizes, and secondly, a movable structure that allows you to raise and lower the centerboard while swimming. A daggerboard system is a combination of a daggerboard and a seat for it. This element of equipment is found exclusively in windsurfing boards (see "Style of riding"), and it is used only when sailing — when rowing, the centerboard is not needed and can be raised (this is the meaning of the mobile structure in this case).
— Set of RSS battens. Special battens that increase the rigidity of the board for longitudinal bending. They are installed in the longitudinal direction, from the centre to the nose and tail . Thanks to such battens, the board does not bend to the middle under the weight of a person as much as in the absence of RSS. Note that the RSS name is a trademark used in Red Paddle boards; for other manufacturers, a similar function may have other official names.
— Sail pucks. A device for setting the sail, part of the corresponding mount (see above). Such a device is attached to the board, usually with a thread, and a hinge is inserted into it, which ensures the mobility of the mast. Pucks may be sold with sails, but some windsurf boards (see Riding style) come with sails.
— Repair kit. Set for repairing boards in the field; found in the configuration of inflatable SUP-boards. Such a kit usually includes patches, glue (if the patches are not self-adhesive), sometimes also simple tools; it is not suitable for major repairs, but it allows you to easily repair a small cut or crack.
— Bag. A bag or backpack for carrying a folded (deflated) board. Of course, third-party packaging can also be used for this purpose. However, the complete product is initially optimized for carrying the board and complete accessories for it. Also note that such bags and backpacks can be made waterproof and used on water trips to carry personal items; and some of them come with waterproof cases for smartphones or other similar accessories, although they do not provide watertightness.
