Best Paddle Board for Advanced Paddlers
By: James | Last update: 31 October 2022
A dedicated sports enthusiast will understand this: as skills develop, so does the demand for a more advanced set of equipment. Upgrades are common when you want to up your level, especially in semi- to extreme sports like stand-up paddle boarding. We’re quite sure that you’re here to learn more about the best paddle board for advanced paddlers. Well, you’ve stumbled upon the right website because not only do we give the most unadulterated paddle board reviews, but we’ve also gathered and filtered the products that will likely suit your standards.
🥇Best inflatable touring choice
Red Paddle 14’0″ Race Elite MSL
🥇Best hardboard choice
Fanatic Strike Carbon 14’0″
🥈Best budget choice
Fanatic Ray Touring 12’6″
Beginner Stand-Up Paddle Board Vs. Advanced Paddle Board
While most of the readers here are probably well-rounded with the pros and cons of ever SUP board in the market, for the sake of those who want to learn more, we’d like to make a few comparisons between a beginner stand-up paddle board and an advanced paddle board.
Beginner SUP Boards – Newbies in SUP boarding need to learn more about balance. Comfort and safety are also two things that need to be considered when buying a beginner’s SUP board. That is why the most popular in the market is none other than the all-round paddle board. If you have noticed, all-round SUP boards are thicker, wider, and a bit longer longer. These boards are designed to provide the utmost stability, buoyancy, and safety when on the water.
Intermediate SUP Boards – Advanced SUP paddlers have upped skills when it comes to maneuvering on the waters. That is why three of the best paddle board for advanced paddlers in the online market are the surf paddle board, touring paddle board, and race paddle boards. These boards are contoured with a narrower shape and pointed nose. Why? Because advanced SUP boards are designed more for speed, maneuverability, and performance.
Why Choose the Best Paddle Board Advanced Paddlers?
In every sport, improvements are imperative. Simply put, you can’t stay paddle boarding in your comfort zone without wanting to try to do more. Water and board sports are made to experience the exhilarating adventure on the waters. That is why purchasing your very first advanced paddle board is just part of the process that you need to trust. To guide you more about the different kinds of stand up paddle boards, here are brief descriptions:
A Guide: The Different Types of Stand Up Paddle Board
In every sport, improvements are imperative. Simply put, you can’t stay paddle boarding in your comfort zone without wanting to try to do more. Water and board sports are made to experience the exhilarating adventure on the waters. That is why purchasing your very first advanced paddle board is just part of the process that you need to trust. To guide you more about the different kinds of stand up paddle boards, here are brief descriptions:
Touring – This paddleboard is what you need when you want a comfortable SUP boarding experience. Designed basically for flat waters or open ocean touring, the boards are made longer compared with all round paddle boards. Most downwinders utilize this when they are taking a lax tour of the waters. The board’s nose is crafted longer to provide a flawless skimming performance on the water. The longer the touring paddle board is, the more easily it slices through the water.
Race – This, basically, has a similar shape to a touring board, but the former is made for speed. Designed with extensive and pointed noses, race paddle boards are narrower than touring SUP boards.
All Round – Known in the market as the most appropriate beginner paddleboard, this is the safest to buy when you’re starting your SUP journey. On a standard size, the SUP boards are thick with a more extensive nose and tail. Everything about this paddleboard is intended to give the most comfort, balance, and safety.
Surf – For SUP paddlers who are more inclined towards riding on the waves, this is the perfect SUP board. Surf paddle boards have higher mobility because of their shape and design. However, similar to different boards, there’s always a catch. Surf paddle boards are only at their best performance when they’re on the harshest waves.
Advanced Paddle Boarding: Ignite Your SUP Skills!
Outgrowing your first board is just phase one of your paddle boarding journey. Now that you’re geared towards choosing which intermediate SUP board fits your lifestyle, it’s good to equip yourself with the right knowledge before hitting that ‘checkout’ button. Here are some useful details that will definitely come handy for you:
- Board Dimensions
- Type
- Inflatable
- Rigid
- Fin Setup
- Dimension Guide for Advanced Paddlers
Common Buying Traps: Mistakes to Avoid When Buying an Intermediate Stand-Up Paddle Board
The online market is divided into two consumers: the satisfied and the disappointed ones. And when it comes to figuring out which products are ‘yay’ or ‘nay’, all you have to do is look for the review section. The rants and raves of each purchaser will give way if the SUP board is any good. That is why it’s very essential to patiently scroll down and read through these reviews before making any purchase. In addition, here are some common buying mistakes to avoid when buying your second SUP board:
Not giving enough consideration to the board type
Convenience comes last when discussing SUP boarding in the intermediate and professional categories. Regarding SUP board types, inflatables don’t dominate the advanced paddlers’ choice. Because advanced SUP boards are streamlined and narrower in shape, durability is a top priority. That is why it is important that you carefully consider whether you want a hardboard or an inflatable type.
Forgetting to consider the board’s volume
Slimmer SUP boards that are made for racing or surfing need to have a higher weight capacity–especially if your build is larger than average. Take note of this because your overall paddling performance is also determined by your board’s volume and ability to carry your weight at a balanced level.
Buying a cheap, but run-of-the-mill advanced paddle board
Investing in your second SUP board means that you’re ready to take the sport to the next level. Don’t be swayed by attractive marketing lines. Be wise to look for quality seals, positive reviews, and features that talk about durability and quality. Always remember that there’s always a reason why a product is cheap.
Research Factors for the Best Paddle Board for Advanced Paddlers
To give more details, here’s a table you’d find useful:
| SUP Planet Ⓒ |
| BOARD DIMENSIONS
Generally, most SUP boards are between 10’ – 11’ in length, with a width of between 32” – 34”. Depending on the type of paddle board you are buying, there are ideal dimensions you might want to take note of. For example, for a touring paddle board, the width should be between 30-32 inches. This is for a board that is about 9’ – 11’ in length. Anything wider will be slower to paddle. If your priority is speed, you should consider getting a race paddle board with at least 12’ in length. However, if you’re picking a race SUP board, the ideal width should be between 26” to 28” narrow to achieve a swift slice against the water. As for the thickness, 5” is ideal if you weigh under 220lbs. However, you should always for a 6-inch thick SUP board if you have a bigger built and are weighing above 225lbs. Boards with 36-inch width are usually used when SUP boarding on the rapids. However, these thick boards are not ideal for general paddling because the width affects how you reach out to paddle; it compromises your vertical stroke against the waters. While for ocean and river surfing, the ideal length for a SUP board is 9 feet. The only catch is this: because this board is narrow, it is not comfortable to use on general paddling at all. |
Team Inflatable or Team Rigid?
| In the intermediate and professional category, the battle between inflatable and hardboard SUP boards are of equal footing. Why? Because SUP boarding on this level is not all about comfort anymore–but performance, speed, and durability.
Honestly, we think that it doesn’t really matter which board type you choose because your performance will still be based on your skill level. But if you are choosing an inflatable SUP board, always go for those constructed with the best fusion technology and materials like: fiberglass, epoxy layers, carbon fiber, ethylene vinyl acetate, double PVC, or polyvinyl chloride. These are materials that make sure of the board’s lightweight that matches utmost durability. For hardboard SUP boards, take note that the wood material should be fine-grained, light-weight, warp-resistant, and not water-absorbent. We think that the best wood you can vouch for is a paulownia wood, but it depends on where you live and how accessible hardwood SUP boards are. Beatle Kill Pine, White, Red, & Yellow Cedar, are also good materials to consider when buying your rigid SUP board. |
Fin Setups for the Best Paddle Board for Advanced Paddlers
| If you’re choosing an inflatable SUP board, we’d suggest that you study more about the fin setup. The most popular setup is called the 2+1 fin setup. There is a permanent fix, but there are also removable fins which we think is ideal for an advanced paddler like you. |
Paddle board for Advanced paddlers size chart
| Your Weight | Width | Thickness | Length |
| Belowr 125 lbs (56kg) | 29-32” | 4-5” | 9’6″-10’9″ |
| 125-150 lbs (56-68 kg) | 30-32” | 5” | 9’6″-11’0″ |
| 150-175 lbs (68-79 kg) | 30-32” | 5” | 9’6″-12’6″ |
| 175-200 lbs (79 – 90 kg) | 30-33” | 5” | 10’0″-12’6″ |
| 175-200 lbs (79 – 90 kg) | 30-33” | 5” | 10’0″-12’6″ |
| 200-225 lbs (90-102 kg) | 30-34” | 5-6” | 10’0″-12’6″ |
Conclusion
We wish you nothing but success on your SUP journey! We hope that you enjoyed reading this article. As a bonus, we have compiled the best paddle board for advanced paddlers above. These are products we personally picked to save you from the hassle of browsing online stores page after page. Our choices are not just based on knowledge, but also long-standing experience! So, you can always rely on the thought that whatever we suggest here is always for your SUP boarding good!
Learn more about stand up paddle boarding by reading other articles from our website!