The SUP board is a kind of surfboard 2.0 and has quickly become popular for a number of years. If you walk through well-known tourist cities along canals or other open water, you will see tourists sailing by on their SUP. Often led by a guide who provides information about the sights during the tour.
But also on open water such as lakes and ponds you increasingly come across suppers. If you are considering purchasing your own SUP, you can use the information in this SUP purchase guide to find information that you should pay attention to when making the right choice.
It is difficult to say what the best buy is in terms of SUP board. This largely depends on your personal wishes.
Are you a beginner or do you already have experience?
If you have never stood on a SUP before, it might be an idea to first take a trip with a rented SUP board . Then you can discover whether you really like it enough to purchase your own board. After all, it is a waste of investment if your SUP ends up unused in the attic after 1 or 2 times on the water.
If you already have a little experience and you want something more than simple paddling on a calm flowing channel, then you make a different choice than a SUP board for beginners . If you know what you want in the base, buying a SUP board becomes a bit easier. Before you start looking, also consider what your maximum budget is.
There are different types of SUP boards
There are different types of SUP boards. The SUP board buying tips that you read here mainly focus on the different models and versions. Which you choose depends on what your plans are.
Do you want to use your SUP board recreationally during the summer holidays in France ? Do you want to sail competitions ? Do you want to go on long trips? These kinds of aspects are important when making a good choice.
The SUP board purchase guide helps you to discover what is the best choice for you based on certain characteristics.
A hard board or an inflatable board
In terms of material, you have two options. You can buy a hard SUP board or an inflatable SUP board . An inflatable board is obviously easier to store and carry. You can take that with you on the bike if necessary.
A hard SUP board requires a spacious trunk or roof rack. If you go on holiday with the caravan or camper, it is usually possible to store your SUP in it.
A hard board is obviously more robust and durable. These boards are also heavier and you drift less easily with them when the current is a bit stronger. Read all the differences between a hard and inflatable board here .
The all-round SUP board
An all-round SUP board is suitable for both beginners and advanced paddlers. It is suitable for short trips on calm waters. This board is wide and stable. So you don't fall off so quickly, even if you are still a bit shaky on the board and still have to develop the right technique.
An all-round SUP board is not very suitable for water with a lot of waves. So preferably use it on a lake or in a canal, canal or small river without a strong current. These SUP boards are usually used by rental companies that offer SUPs for tourists.
The Touring SUP board
If you have seen the tour through the canals or across the pond in the area, it is time for the next step. The second category that we introduce to you in the SUP board buying guide is the Touring SUP board .
This SUP is a bit more robust and streamlined. This allows the board to make more speed. This makes it suitable for longer tours of several kilometers.
It is not the case that a touring board is only suitable for advanced riders. It is stable in the water and can therefore also be used by less experienced suppers.
Before you start on longer trips, it is useful to map out a route so that you eventually end up at the point where you parked the car or bicycle.
It is also of course not wise to go on the water for a long trip in bad weather or a weather warning. In the event of a thunderstorm, it is advisable to get off the water as soon as possible and find a safe place to shelter until the storm has passed. This is also the urgent advice in the event of a storm or heavy rainfall.
The Race SUP board
If you want to compete with other suppers then a Race SUP board is the purchase you should go for. The Race board is reserved for advanced riders. The model already exudes speed: long and narrow with a pointed nose.
You can make perfect speed and also keep it because you can paddle longer on 1 side with this SUP board, also called tracking . The board is less stable, so you have to know what you are doing to prevent getting wet and falling behind.
The SUP board for two people
SUPing together is of course so much fun. Special SUP boards for two people have been developed for this purpose. You can go on this together. With your partner, with your child, with the dog or with a colleague during a staff outing.
There are also SUP boards for more people. These are the multi-person SUP boards. Of course they should not be missing in the SUP board purchase guide. They are ideal if you teach paddle boarding or if you want to get out on the water with the whole family.
When purchasing a multi-person SUP board, it is important that you are well informed about the carrying capacity. It would be a shame if your brand new SUP board can't hold you and it gets damaged.
A SUP board for children
Of course, the children's board should not be missing in the purchase guide for SUP boards. The only difference with a SUP for adults is that the board is a bit smaller. For a bit of fun sailing in the surf, it is best to opt for an inflatable SUP board.
Always make sure your child is playing in water where he or she can stand or that your child is wearing a life jacket or float. This way no accidents will happen if the child falls off the SUP. Supervise when your child goes out on the water for the first time with the SUP.
Buying a SUP board as a beginner, what do you pay attention to?
Are you going to buy your first SUP board? What to look out for, you probably wonder. There are a few basic points that you should definitely consider when making your purchase decision.
First of all, of course, the budget is important. It makes a big difference whether you want to spend 200 euros or have a budget that is four times as high.
An inflatable SUP board is often the best choice for beginners. Especially if you're a recreational supper and don't go out every weekend. You can easily store your board when the air has been released without it getting in the way.
Choose a stable model. You can then gain experience on the water without lying in the water with every unexpected movement or having to make every possible effort to stay upright.
The design of the beginners SUP board
Your first SUP board must have the right design to be able to sail with it stably. Choose a model that is thick, wide and long. You may think the fast race boards look tough, but they are really not suitable for an inexperienced paddler to immediately set off.
If you have gained a little more experience and are confident on your board, you might want to think about an upgrade. Even if you want to sup together, a wide and sturdy board that is stable in the water is of course a must.
When are you ready for an advanced SUP board?
Some people are quickly convinced of their own abilities. But don't get on an advanced SUP board too quickly. For this you must have been on a SUP for beginners for at least one season. And by that we mean, of course, more on it than next to it.
A SUP for advanced users is also intended for enthusiasts who, in addition to SUPs, also want to windsurf. If you are still enthusiastic about a SUP for advanced users after this introduction, then we have the advice for the SUP board best buy for advanced users here.
The design
The design of your SUP board says something about the quality and also about the speed. A fast board has a tapered point. A wide board, on the other hand, is more stable. A thick SUP board, up to 15 cm thick, is more stable in the water.
Are you going for inflatable or hardboard?
Maybe you think that as an advanced, more demanding supper you really need a hard SUP board. But that's a misconception. The inflatable boards are of excellent quality and are certainly not inferior to their hardboard equivalents.
Moreover, you can of course take such an inflatable SUP board with you much more easily and store it at home when you are not using it.
What is your main goal?
When you buy something you have to think in advance what you are going to do with it. That seems like an open door. But there are still many people who want to buy an advanced SUP board and do not know what they will (mainly) do with it.
Do you want to go on long tours? Do you want to be able to get on the board with your partner? Do you want to sail competitions? Do you want to brave the waves in the surf? Do you also want to go windsurfing in addition to supping? Only when you have an answer to these questions can you start looking for a SUP board that suits you.
Where do you buy a SUP board?
Like everything today, you can buy a SUP board online. You do that for the best price at Watersports4fun.com. Ordering a SUP board online is fine if you have read this buying guide for SUP boards and know what you want.
Do you know which brand and type of SUP you want to order? Then online purchasing is no problem at all. The advantage is that you don't have to leave the house. Your order will be delivered to your home within a few working days.
If you would like advice with your purchase, you can contact the customer service of Watersports4fun. An expert employee can help you make your choice. You will also find a lot of useful information in the Knowledge Base.
If you contact customer service, it is useful if you know what your wishes are and what your budget is.
Is supping safe?
There are people who have concerns about the safety of supping. What if you fall off. What if the SUP capsizes. Yes, of course all of that can happen. Especially if you are not that experienced yet.
If you're getting on a SUP for the first time, do it on a sunny day so you're only wearing swimsuits. If you end up in the water, there is not much going on.
Read this blog with useful safety tips for when you go supping. Even if you just go on the water for the first time.
The price/quality ratio of SUP boards
Also applies to SUP boards: all value for money. In this buying guide for SUP boards we already mentioned that you can buy a SUP board for 200 euros, but also for much more. Choosing a more expensive model always means a big step forward in quality.
If you are looking for a SUP board that you can enjoy for several years, it is definitely recommended to go for quality. You may want to look online for buyer reviews to find out if the SUP board you're looking at is liked by other users.
Will you be on the water on your SUP board next summer?
In this article we have tried to tell you everything about SUP boards and how to buy them. Hopefully with these tips you can make a good choice which type of SUP board suits you well.
As soon as the weather permits, you can then go out on the water to enjoy yourself in a very special way. In principle, you can launch your SUP anywhere. SUPing in the winter is of course also possible.
Watersports4fun.com: the best address for your SUP board
At Watersports4fun.com you will find the SUP board you are looking for. In the webshop you have a wide choice, regardless of the type of SUP board you are looking for.
Are you looking for an all-round board, a board for children or a SUP board for two people? Or are you an advanced supper and do you want a Touring or Racing SUP board?
The SUP board purchase guide has hopefully helped you on your way. At Watersports4fun.com you can safely order a SUP board. Your order will be delivered to your home as soon as possible.
You can also pick it up at our location in Best. Please make an appointment in advance. We are also always here to answer all your questions and provide you with the very best service.
In addition to SUP boards, you will also find clothing for your SUP trip in our webshop. In our webshop. we also have other water sports bestsellers such as funtubes and dinghies .