How To Choose An Inflatable Paddle Board
Whether you're a thrill seeker and want to try out SUP surfing or you're looking for a relaxing way to cruise around your local waterways, an inflatable paddle board is the right way to go. With reliable, high-quality manufacturers like iRocker and Red Paddle Co. creating exceptional boards and accessories, the inflatable paddle board market can be intimidating. For help choosing the right paddle board for you, read on.
Questions to Ask Yourself
achetezlemeilleur.ca
It will be easy to find all of the best inflatable paddle boards online, as there are many buying guides out there that tell you exactly what to look for. But before you jump into the exciting prospect of shopping for your board, you should ask yourself a few questions to help narrow down the market just a little bit.
How Much Can I Spend?
As always, you can't forget about your budget. Some boards will be fairly affordable at $1,000, but other boards can cost as much as $12,000. Setting your spending limit early will help you find the right board in a price range you can actually afford. Keep in mind that you may also want to purchase a wetsuit, SUP paddle, electric pump or manual pump, or additional warranty coverage.
What Type of Paddling Do I Want to Do?
There are many, many types of paddle boards out there, and you'll see some variation within categories as well. If you want to help yourself choose the right board, it is a good idea to figure out what you'll be doing with it before you start browsing. If you're interested in paddle board racing, surfing, or other high-intensity water sports, you'll want to look for boards that are fast, maneuverable, and highly responsive. If recreational riding and yoga are more your thing, a more stable all-around board will be better for you.
Am I a Beginner or an Experienced Paddler?
Your paddle history should be something you think about before you start shopping for a paddle board. While inflatable models are generally more beginner-friendly than solid boards, they can still have some features in place that make them better suited to experienced paddlers. You'll learn more about this below.
Features to Consider
achetezlemeilleur.ca
While inflatable paddle boards may initially come across as quite basic water vehicles, there is a lot that goes into their design and construction. Choosing the right board for you means understanding what each feature is and how it will affect your riding experience and board performance.
Hull Type
There are two types of hulls (nose designs) that you need to consider when browsing for a SUP board. The first type of hull is a displacement hull. This is the same hull type that you see on most types of boats; it is a V-shaped projection that extends down into the water. Displacement hulls can be easily spotted as they will have a pointed nose rather than a rounded one. These boards will be much faster in the water, but they do sacrifice some stability. They are used mostly for racing and touring boards and are best used by experienced paddlers.
Planing hulls are the second and most common type of hull for an inflatable paddle board. They sit on top of the water rather than in the water and have a rounder, wider shape than displacement hulls. They are more stable and turn more easily than boards with displacement hulls, so they are great for first-time paddlers. You'll find this hull type on most all-around and recreational boards.
Fin Type
The fins on a paddle board are what allow you to travel in a straight line and have control of the board's movement in the water. There are a number of different setups, though, and they each affect the performance of the inflatable SUP board.
Thinner fins will offer more maneuverability in the water than thicker versions. The more curvature a fin has, the more stable it will be and the better it will track. However, you'll sacrifice maneuverability here. If you have a stiff fin, you'll have more control of the board, but a softer fin will absorb impacts better and will improve the maneuverability of the board.
There are also a number of fin setups to consider. Each board may have only a center fin, two fins placed side by side, or a center fin with two side fins further up the board. Each will offer different benefits, and the type of fin in each location will also have an impact on how the board moves and responds.
Some fins will be permanently fixed to the board, and others will be removable from their fin boxes for safer placement on a roof rack or storage in a bag. There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to the fin type of an inflatable paddle board.
Rocker Style
The rocker of a board describes the lift at the nose or tail of the board. It can vary in placement and angle depending on the desired performance characteristics of the board. Almost every board you look at will have some type of nose rocker, as this is what allows you to glide smoothly over the water and ride over choppy water easily.
A board can have a high, moderate, or low nose rocker. A high rocker is really only used for river running or extreme white water paddling, and a low nose rocker increases the performance of racing SUPs and long-distance touring boards, since there is more board in contact with the water. A moderate rocker is the most commonly found nose rocker type for SUPs due to its versatility.
Some boards will have a tail rocker, and this helps the board turn more easily. However, it also slows the board down, so it isn't a very common addition to inflatable boards. It is worth noting, though, that some boards will have a tail rocker and a nose rocker combined, called a banana rocker style. This continuous curvature of the blade is excellent for white water paddling, as the paddler can stay above the waves and shift the board with only their weight.
Board Size
Inflatable paddle boards come in many, many sizes, both between and within categories. For example, multi-person boards can carry anywhere between 2 and 8 people, so there will be a lot of variation in size just within that board type. Depending on whether you buy a board for SUP yoga, racing, or white water paddling, the board length will also vary. You can have a board as short as 9 feet or longer than 12 feet. Longer boards can reach faster speeds with less paddling effort when compared to a medium or short board.
Board width can also vary; wider boards will offer more stability but won't have the same maneuverability as a racing board or one designed for paddle board surfers. Narrower boards are therefore not recommended for newbies.
Weight Capacity
The maximum carrying capacity of an inflatable paddle board can be comparable to hard boards, averaging between 300 and 350 lbs at the high end. However, there are smaller boards with weight capacities of less than 200, and even some large enough to support as many as 8 people. No matter what type of board you're looking at, you'll be able to find one that can carry the weight of you and any gear you're bringing along.
Durability
Durability for an inflatable paddle board is important, especially if you'll be using it more often on rougher water than flat water. Unlike hard boards and surfboards that can be made of materials like epoxy, fibreglass, carbon fibre, and other materials that can alter their durability, all inflatable paddle boards are made of drop stitch material enclosing the air chamber and military-grade PVC on the outside. As a result, the main factor that affects the durability of an inflatable SUP board is the number of layers of PVC. A single layer of PVC will be much less durable than two, and a board can have up to four layers.
Deck Pad Style
Believe it or not, there are actually three different styles for a deck pad alone. Some boards will only have a traction pad on a portion of the board where you spend your time standing to paddle. Other boards will extend that traction pad from the tail to the tip. With other SUP boards, you may even see that the traction pad wraps around the rails of the board as well. In general, longer deck pads will offer more versatility, and those that wrap around your rails will increase the durability of the board.
Storage Capabilities
The storage capabilities of an inflatable stand-up paddle board will usually be determined by its overall type, but there can be some variation within a category as well. Some boards may have two sections of bungee storage, one at the nose and one at the tail, whereas other boards will only have storage at one end. Certain boards will also be longer in order to accommodate any gear that you may be travelling with.
Our Top Picks for an Inflatable Paddle Board
Our Guide To The Best Paddle Boards In Canada In 2025 (And Where To Get Them)
21 Genius Golf Accessories To Level Up Your Game This Summer
18 Genius Pickleball Accessories To Level Up Your Game This Summer
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We'll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
National Post
24 minutes ago
- National Post
CUPE : Air Canada Flight Attendants Stage National Day of Action to End Unpaid Work and Win a Fair Contract
Article content TORONTO — Air Canada flight attendants staged a national day of action at airports across Canada on Monday, to highlight the rampant abuse of unpaid work in the airline industry, and the need for a fair contract. Article content The flight attendants, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), recently authorized their union to take strike action, in a near unanimous vote, in their current round of negotiations with Air Canada if a contract cannot be reached that addresses unpaid labour and poverty wages for junior flight attendants, in particular. Article content 'There is very clear path for Air Canada to avoid job action: pay your workers when they're on the clock, and pay them a wage that allows them to live and work in dignity. That isn't an unreasonable ask,' said Wesley Lesosky, President of the Air Canada Component of CUPE which represents over 10,000 flight attendants across the country. Article content 'We're proud to put on this uniform and help keep the public safe on their journey, but the days of us doing it for free or for poverty wages must end.' Article content 'Air Canada flight attendants from coast to coast came together today to stand up for each other, and for the pride and dignity of this profession. We're standing together for respect and a fair contract that matches to the professionalism and dedication we bring to work every day.' Article content The latest round of bargaining comes at the end of a 10-year contract which expired on March 31, 2025. Flight attendants have been crushed by inflation and rising costs over the life of the contract. Junior flight attendants who work full-time and earn just $1,952 per month before taxes are bearing the worst. Meanwhile, all flight attendants put in hours and hours of unpaid work every week performing critical safety-related duties, as well as boarding, deplaning, and attending to emergencies onboard. Article content 'Air Canada has posted billions in profits in the past few years, they can afford to pay their workers fairly without adding new costs for the public,' added Lesosky. Article content The two sides currently remain at the bargaining table and the union remains optimistic that Air Canada will recognize the important role that their flight attendants – who have been voted Best Cabin Crew in North America by SkyTrax for several years in a row – play in making it such a profitable company. Air Canada has an opportunity to set an example in the airline industry by ending unpaid work and ending poverty wages for junior flight attendants. Article content Article content Article content Article content
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
National Capital Commission and Ottawa Senators sign agreement on purchase of land at LeBreton Flats
The National Capital Commission (NCC) has announced it has signed an agreement with the Ottawa Senators for the purchase and sale of approximately 11 acres of land at LeBreton Flats. The NCC says the agreement with Capital Sports Development Inc. is a key step in bringing a major events centre and arena district, including mixed-use development, to the area. 'With the agreement of purchase and sale finalized, both parties can proceed with next steps in the project,' the NCC and the Senators said Monday in a joint statement. 'These include zoning, design and approvals, as well as decontamination of the land parcels to prepare for construction.' Distance to LeBreton Flats from Parliament Hill The new arena at LeBreton Flats would be situated much closer to downtown Ottawa. Canadian Tire Centre is 27.1 km from Parliament Hill whereas LeBreton Flats is only 2.1 km away. The Senators and the NCC initially reached a memorandum of understanding in June 2022 to develop a new event centre along Albert Street, between Preston Street and City Centre Avenue. Michael Andlauer and his group purchased the Senators in September 2023, and the NCC extended the memorandum of understanding to September 2024 to allow for negotiations with the new ownership group. The NCC and the group representing the Ottawa Senators announced an agreement in principle last September regarding the sale of land at LeBreton Flats, with the ultimate goal of bringing an NHL arena to the site, along with other development. The two sides have been in negotiations for nearly a year. 'The promise of a major events centre will provide a lively and convenient attraction for residents and visitors, inject new energy and excitement into the core of the Nation's Capital and further catalyze the development of LeBreton Flats,' said NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum in a news release. 'This agreement builds on the two previous real estate transactions completed by the NCC since 2022 on the Building LeBreton project that will see over 2000 new housing units along with new retail and commercial spaces built on the site.' Senators rink A rendering of what a new Ottawa Senators arena on LeBreton Flats could look like. (Capital Sports Development Inc.) No details about the agreement have been disclosed. 'We are pleased to reach an agreement of purchase and sale with the NCC to take the next step in this process,' said Ottawa Senators President and CEO Cyril Leeder in a news release. 'There are still many more hurdles to clear and we look forward to working with the NCC and other stakeholders to achieve our shared vision of creating an event centre at LeBreton Flats that can be enjoyed by our Ottawa-Gatineau community.' Leeder said earlier this year that fans could start to see progress at LeBreton Flats over the next few years, but could still be several years before the Senators drop the puck for the first game at a new arena.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Dozens properties remain to be liquidated in massive northern Ont. real estate selloff
Of the remaining properties, 26 are in Sault Ste. Marie, 21 are in Timmins, four are in Sudbury and three are in other communities in the north. (File) Just 54 of the 407 residential properties involved in a major real estate bankruptcy process in northern Ontario still have to be sold. That's the latest update from KSV Restructuring, the firm monitoring the insolvency proceedings of the firms involved under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA). Timmins drug den A vacant building demolished in Timmins last year was owned by an insolvent real estate company that owns properties across northern Ontario, court documents show. (CTV News file photo) Of the remaining properties, 26 are in Sault Ste. Marie, 21 are in Timmins, four are in Sudbury and three are in other communities in the north. The original insolvency involved a group of 11 companies with names like 'Happy Gilmore Incorporated' and 'The Pink Flamingo,' whose accumulated debts were initially reported as $144 million, but were reassessed by KSV at just more than $90 million. The companies owned 631 residential units in 407 properties, mainly across northern Ontario, some with and without tenants on leases. Questionable business practices Their business model was to buy distressed properties, renovate them and then rent them out at a profit. However, it emerged during the CCAA process that the owners took part in many questionable practices leading up to the insolvency declaration in January 2024. That included purchases of luxury items, trips and payments of large dividends when the companies weren't profitable. Some properties used as security for loans already had existing mortgages on them. Secured creditors -- mostly investors holding first mortgages -- took ownership of 323 of the properties in late 2024, with the remaining 'liquidation portfolio properties' to be sold on the open market. In the last few months, 32 of those properties have been liquidated, bringing the remaining to be sold down to 54, representing a total of 80 units. Out of the total, 39 of the units are unoccupied. 'The net sale proceeds generated from the sold properties total approximately $3.3 million,' KSV said in its latest update. 'These sale proceeds are net of real estate commissions, property tax arrears and other closing costs.' Don't want to flood the market To avoid flooding the market, new listings are added as others are sold. In addition to an update on the properties, KSV has also received approval from the court to have Viscount Capital assigned the core claim involving nine of the corporations involved in the real estate insolvency. KSV started legal proceedings in May of this year against nine of the corporations involved in the insolvency. However, it doesn't have the resources to pursue the claim. A Superior Court of Justice ruling on July 28 approved Viscount's takeover of the legal claim against the corporations. Should it manage to receive any further money from the lawsuit, it will be entitled first to recover its out-of-pocket expenses associated with the court case, then up to $1 million that it is owed by a creditor in the case. Any money recovered above those amounts will go to the unsecured creditors. The court also agreed to extend the 'stay period' – the time limit to complete the CCAA process – from Aug. 31 of this year to Jan. 31, 2026. Read the latest KSV Restructuring report here.
