What makes for the best beginner SUP? We outline the most important factors to consider when you are looking to get into paddle boarding for the first time and would like to find the right SUP for you.
The good news for finding a great SUP for a first time paddler has some simple parts. Many of the things that make a “good” paddle board for intermediate or advanced paddlers are the same here.
- Paddle board quality
- Easy to inflate and deflate
- Price that fits your budget
Key Items For Beginners
The 2 things that new paddlers bring up to us most often as being important in their decision to buy their first paddle board are:
Affordable Price To Fit Their Budget
It’s perfectly natural when getting into a sport to want to start with a paddle board that doesn’t break the bank. You’re into paddleboarding and want your own board, but spending tons of money on a new sport is probably not the best plan.
Luckily for new paddlers with a targeted budget, there are plenty of great inflatable SUPs out there that won’t break the bank. In fact, $300 will get you a decent starter inflatable SUP while having $400 or $500 will give you tons of options to choose from. If you have $500 to $1,000 to spend your new paddle board you can get a top quality board that will last for many years.
A SUP With Good Stability
The other thing that beginner paddle boards frequently request is a board that offers good balance and stability while you are learning to get your sea legs and balance. The perfect board width will depend a little bit on your height and the size of SUP you need, but there are some rough guidelines we can share.
Our Recommendation On Width
Beginner paddle boarders should look for a board at least 32″ or 33″ wide but for extra stability you could go as wide as 35″ or 36″.
