Best Surf Paddle Board
By: James | Last update: 20 April 2022
Paddle boarding is not just taking beginners and enthusiasts by storm, but it is also drawing more readers on the internet. While flat waters are enjoyable to glide on, we agree that great adventures come from the harshest waves. If you’re looking for the best surf paddle board to up your game, you’re on the right page.
🥇Best inflatable choice
Fanatic Fly Air Premium 10’8″
🥇Best hardboard choice
Fanatic Fly Eco 10’6″
🥈Best budget choice
Moai 10’6″
Why Choose a Surf Paddle Board?
Stand-up paddle boarding, or SUP boarding, is a recreational activity that is growing in popularity especially in some European countries nowadays. Why it stands out among other sports is the versatility it offers when it comes to thrills and chills. Simply put, you get the best of both worlds when it comes to stand-up paddle boarding. Whether you’re a surfer who’s looking for a change or a newbie who loves enjoying still waters, stand-up paddle boarding is for you.
Now, when it comes to the classic way of doing it, SUP surfing is the old-school way. SUP paddleboarding was spontaneously conceived in the 1940s. How Duke Kahanamoku and the Ah Choy brothers inspired John Zapatocky with the standing-up approach gave birth to this sport. With SUP boarding, you gain a better vantage point of the incoming waves, allowing you to glide through the waters more effectively.
Today, different stand-up paddle boards are being offered in the market, all of which are crafted for a specific purpose. To give you an idea about the various types of SUP boards here are quick reviews:
Touring – This paddleboard is about simple SUP boarding. Made generally for level water and huge ocean rowing, these SUP boards are primarily shorter than all round paddle boards. Most downwinders use this when they are SUP boarding starting with one place onto the next with the breeze blowing on their backs. The nose is made a sharp shape to allow the board to skim and slice through the water. The more broadened the touring paddle board is, the more effectively it cuts through the water. Then again, steadiness is somewhat decreased.
Race – With essentially the same shape as a touring board, race SUP boards are fundamentally created for speed. These are made broad with pointed noses, yet are more modest as contrasted with touring SUP boards.
All Round – Considered the most sensible paddleboard for a large number of individuals, an all round paddle board gives the strongest feel on water as contrasted and different SUP boards. The standard sizes of these boards are thick with a bigger nose and tail. Nearly everything about this SUP board is made to give the most fulfillment and happiness while SUP boarding.
Surf – This is made for individuals who slant toward riding on outrageous waves. Typically shorter, surf paddle boards have higher versatility. In any case, similar to different boards, you will track down a disadvantage. Surf SUP boards are commonly slower, but more steady, particularly on level water.
Stepping Up From a Beginner’s Level: How to Find the Best Surf Paddle Board
Now that you are ready to get to the next level, that is surfing on harsher waters, there are things that you need to take note when buying your first surf paddle board. First, unlike the other SUP boards that are wider, longer, and have more buoyancy, surf paddle boards are typically smaller and narrower. This is because surf paddle boards are designed for more maneuverability and glide on spontaneous waves. We’ll get to more in-depth details about the parts as you read through this article.
To find the best surf paddle board in the market, here are things that you need to consider regardless of the brand:
- Type
- Dimensions
- Additional parts
- Your weight
- Your lifestyle
A surf paddle board has specific qualities. View the score of the quality per category in the sliders below:
Common Buying Traps: What Prevents You From Finding the Best Surf Paddle Board
Let’s admit it, there are a few great brands out there, but if you’re a beginner at surf paddle boarding, it’s hard to spot which board fits you best. We’d like to give you a few buying traps that you have to avoid doing. Otherwise, you will end up shelling out more money than expected. Honesty, we think that every buying mistake boils down to two things; (1) lack of research and (2) lack of patience. So, hang around for a few minutes and learn a thing or two about surf paddle boards. We guarantee you, reading this will do you great. In the meantime, here are the common buying traps in finding the best surf paddle board:
- Buying based on reviews – Yes, we know that reviews tell a lot about the product features. However, you’re not buying a water bottle or a gaming console that works for everyone. Surf paddle boards are a lot more, and each SUP board might work or not work perfectly for you. You cannot just purchase from, say Amazon, an inflatable surf paddle board just because it has 10,000 reviews online. You have to know if this board will fit your lifestyle and your body mass index.
- Not taking note of your environment – If you’re purchasing a surf paddle board, it’s most likely that you’re living near the seas. But if not, you have to consider travel time, the type of SUP board you are buying, and the vehicle you own. Because all of these factors will affect your convenience when it comes to setting up for an activity.
- You don’t know the accessories useful for paddle boarding – Like what we said earlier, surf paddle boarding is a lot different than gliding through still waters. There are some additional paddle board accessories that might come in handy when you’re riding. If you want to take your surf paddle boarding to the next level, you have to invest in these things, too.
Research Factors for the Best Surf Paddle Board
Now that you know what buying factors to avoid, we’d like to educate you more about surf paddle board details. Of course, we don’t want you getting a potentially duff board that gives no great experience. So, here are some research factors for the best surf paddle board in the market:
| SUP Planet © | 🏆 Hardboard | 🏆 Inflatable |
| Type | Hardboard/Epoxy – We’re not going to lie, but if you really want to get serious with SUP surfing, go for the hardboard. For one thing, this type of surf paddle board gives a distinct performance because of the shape of the rails. With a more sculpted design, a hardboard SUP surf paddle board has increased maneuverability. That being said, you will get more speed when gliding on the waves and more control in-between turns. | Inflatable – While we don’t have our personal bias between a hardboard and an inflatable surf paddle board, the latter also has advantages. If you’ve just jumped from a beginner level, you will love the board’s softer landing on the waters. The impact is also slightly reduced during spontaneous board flips. Lastly, an inflatable surf paddle board will give you a softer surface, something that your knees will love as you go through the training. |
| Dimensions | We generally don’t recommend a surf paddle board that’s any longer than 10’6”. Why? Because surf paddle boarding is also about speed. Longer and wider boards mean less maneuverability and speed–and you don’t want that on playful waves. The best surf paddle board usually has a length of about 7’7”. There are some popular brands in the market that offer surf paddle boards this size. Also, choose the SUP surf board with thin and right rails for a more responsive use. | |
| Additional Parts | Deck Pad – An extra deck pad on your surf paddle board only means one thing: increased traction. Is it going to be useful? Of course, it will be! When a deck pad could cover more board surfaces, it gives you more traction and rearfoot control. It also lessens the probability of you falling from your board. We recommend that you choose a board designed with a contoured tail pad area and a raised rear edge. This part is essential in making turns during your surf paddle boarding. With a raised rear edge, your back foot is prevented from sliding off the board. When your foot is firm on the board, you gain more advantage when applying foot pressure. | Side Fins – When you want extra control and speed, side fins are the way to go. A surf paddle board has a center fin, which gives the ability to control the board during turns. Added side fins allow you to have extra carving performance, speed, and flexibility. If you’re using a hardboard, we recommend that you buy the one with a permanent three-fin setup. But if you’re purchasing an inflatable SUP board, choose a set of more flexible side fins for better performance. |
| Your BMI | When choosing your first surf paddle board, make sure that you are taking note of your weight and the board’s weight capacity. Because if your weight and the board’s dimensions and volume don’t match, everything gets affected from performance, and speed, to control. | |
| Your Lifestyle | Your Travel Time – This will depend on the type of surf paddle board you’re going to buy. If you’re buying an inflatable SUP board, there won’t be much of a hassle getting from one point to another. But if you’re buying a hardboard, you might want to consider travel time and… | Your Vehicle – …the type of vehicle you are using. Hardboard SUP boards don’t get strapped on your back like a bag. Hence, you will need a larger vehicle with a roof rack to be able to bring your hardboard SUP board without any hassle. |
Conclusion
Hunting for the best surf paddle board in the market doesn’t have to be complicated. All you need is a little knowledge, patience, and a good decision. Surf paddle boarding is Stand Up Paddle boarding to the next level. If you’re taking a chance on this sport, invest wisely because it will affect your skill development in the long run. I have made a specific selection of the best surf paddle board on the market. View my selection(s) on the top of the page! Enjoy the thrills and gear yourself towards the waves!
Are you a beginner and would you like to only start with Stand Up Paddle Boarding first? Than view my selection of the best allround paddle board.