What is a Hardboard?

By: James | Last update: 5 january 2023

If you are looking for a Stand Up Paddle Board to purchase, you will soon come across inflatables and hardboards. We have already explained what inflatables are in our what is an inflatable paddle board blog. But what exactly is a hardboard? We explain it in this blog.

What is a Hardboard?

A hardboard is the opposite of an inflatable. The board is not inflatable and is therefore one solid board that cannot change shape.

Hardboard types

Just like with inflatable boards, you have various types. We explain the different types below:

• All-round: these boards can be used for almost any application. All-round sups are also ideal for beginners thanks to their stability
• Touring: touring boards are, as the name suggests, ideal for touring. Touring SUPs are extra long, have a pointy nose and are nice and stable
• Surf: you may not think so, but there are even special sup boards for surfing. These boards are generally short and wide. This ensures a stable and manoeuvrable board that you can easily turn on the waves
• Windsurf: there are not only surf SUPS but also special windsurf SUPS. These boards have a special mast insert where you can insert the mast
• Race: race boards are mainly used for competitions. But the advanced paddlers also want to use these boards as touring SUPs. Thanks to their long length, pointed nose and narrow center base, these boards cut through the water
• Yoga & Pilates: yoga and pilates on the sup is no exception. Yoga and pilates boards are extra wide, have a high volume and contain multiple attachment points. This makes the sups extra stable and suitable for connecting to a yoga platform
• Children: Stand Up Paddle Boarding is not only for adults but also for children. Kids SUP boards are light, short and wide, making them manoeuvrable and stable
• River: the river boards are extra wide, sturdy and short, making you stable and manoeuvrable on the riverW
• Wild water: also called white water SUPs. These boards are, just like the river boards, extra wide, short and sturdy. This makes them stable, manoeuvrable and resistant to impact
• Multi person: if you go paddle boarding with several people, a multi person SUP is ideal. Multi-person boards, as the name suggests, can carry several people. This is ideal for when you want to have fun with your boyfriend, girlfriend, family or friends!

Picture with all the different hardboard types

Pros

A hardboard has several advantages. We list them below:

1. Extra sturdy thanks to the hard materials
2. The hardboards made of really hard materials are vandal proof
3. If you have roof racks, a hardboard is easy to transport
4. If you live next to the water, you can lay your hardboard straight into the water

Cons

Of course, a hardboard also has some disadvantages:

1. Not foldable so you can only take it with you with roof racks or a trolley
2. A hardboard is difficult to repair when it is damaged
3. If you have a carbon hardboard or another fragile material, it can break quickly

Do you want to know the difference between an inflatable and hardboard? Then take a look at our explanation about the difference between inflatables and hardboards.