Best iSUP for Beginners

So what is the best paddle board for beginners?

Whether or not you will have a pleasant paddle boarding experience will depend on your SUP board’s type and quality. Especially if you’re a beginner paddleboarder, you’ll want to make sure you have a board that will fit your needs.

So, in this post, we’ll take an in-depth look at how to choose a board and some of the best beginner-friendly paddle boards on the market.

These are boards that have had mostly good feedback from users but are also friendly to your wallet/purse. They are thus a good bet if you are starting out and not wanting to spend a lot of money for your first board whilst you find your feet and decide if it’s the sport and leisure activity for you.

We’ll focus on inflatable rather than hard paddle boards as they are what most people buy but check out the differences here if needs be: inflatable versus hard paddle boards.

A Little About Beginner Paddle Boards

The world of paddle boards has evolved with time. Nowadays, you can quickly find various types of SUP boards in the market.

But, not all paddle boards are equal. When thinking about the best paddle board as a beginner, you will want a stable board that won’t break your bank and still lets you practice paddling skills safety. 

Therefore, the best type of beginner-friendly boards will be easy to paddle, handle and maintain. Moreover, it should have enough safety measures to ensure the rider’s safety during the learning sessions.

In a nutshell, if you are looking for your very first SUP, an inflatable all-rounder or a touring board will be a safe bet.

Why are All-Round Paddle Boards the Best for Beginners?

With a rounded or hybrid nose and a wide surface, the typical all-round board offers fantastic stability. Plus, these SUP boards are pretty versatile in the water!

When you are new to paddleboarding, it’s natural to be confused about the types of paddling activities. Fortunately, the all-round boards support a bit of everything. For instance, you can take this board out for some recreational paddleboarding, SUP yoga, or a fishing trip.

In addition, unlike the specialized boards, these entry-level watercraft require less skill to maneuver. This way, you won’t have to worry too much about hitting the water often on your first paddleboarding trip.

Verdict:

All-round boards blend superb balance with high versatility. Thus, these boards are excellent options for new paddlers!

Are Touring Boards Good for Beginners?

If you have prior experience of paddling crafts such as kayaks, rafts, canoes, and rowboats, but you’re still a newcomer to paddle boarding, you may consider picking up a touring board.

These SUP boards are usually a bit longer and thinner than the standard all-rounder. So, they will let you tackle even longer distances with relative ease and can still let you brush up on the paddleboarding basics.

Given their shape, balancing is more difficult so they won’t be the best for you if this is your weak point. However, if you are confident in your balancing and paddling skills, the touring boards will not let you down.

Verdict:

The touring boards are ideal for confident paddlers or those who have participated in other paddlesports in the past and it will save you having to upgrade to something speedier and more agile later on.

Our Best Paddle Boards for Beginners

1. Aquaplanet Pace

Versatile & Efficient!

The Aquaplanet Pace is a hybrid board with the features of an all-rounder and a touring SUP. Thus, it can perform pretty well in almost all waters, even in the hands of a new paddler.

It’s about 10 feet and 6 inches long, 31 inches wide, and 6 inches thick.

Moreover, it can support beginner and intermediate skill levels and carry up to 264.5 lbs or 120 kg. Plus, the board itself is pretty lightweight, weighing only 28.6 lbs or 13 kg. Besides, it’s inflatable, so the board is highly portable.

It’s also good if you don’t want to spend too much, coming in at a sale price of just £329 at the time of writing.

Verdict:

The overall best paddle board for beginners on a budget.

2. Bluefin Cruise SUP

Stable & Versatile!

The Bluefin Cruise SUP boasts incredible stability and versatility, making it one of the best SUP for beginners. After all, it’s also pretty sturdy, so it will support your SUPing adventures for years to come!

It’s approximately 10 feet and 8 inches long, 32 inches wide, and 6 inches thick.

Additionally, it comes with a complete SUP package. Specifically, the adjustable fiberglass paddle and the removable fins enhance its performance even further.

However, it’s a bit pricey (£499 – £799). Nevertheless, as a bonus, the package includes a quick kayak conversion kit. This way, the Bluefin cruise offers a very versatile ride.

Verdict:

An excellent choice for paddleboarding beginners who want a versatile board.

3. Hiks Double Skin Touring SUP

Sturdy & Efficient!

With a sturdy double skin build and easy to paddle design, the Hiks Double Skin Touring SUP performs exceptionally well in the hands of new and seasoned paddlers alike. 

It’s about 11 feet and 2 inches long, 32 inches wide, and 6 inches thick.

These dimensions mean that the SUP has excellent tracking. Moreover, it has a tri-fin setup with two side bite fins and one removable central fin. After you install the central fin, the three fins make it surprisingly stable for a touring board.

Plus, it’s one of the most affordable touring boards out there (£399) that will support beginner paddle boarders.

Verdict:

The best paddle board for beginners with excellent balance and riders who plan to go on extended paddle boarding tours.

4. Gladiator Light SUP

Simple & Compact!

Unlike most other boards, the Gladiator Light SUP is a true all-rounder. It sacrifices some versatility and durability but offers incredible stability. Furthermore, the lack of extra accessories or D-rings makes this SUP pretty easy to set up and maintain.

It’s approximately 10 feet and 6 inches long, 32 inches wide, and 4.75 inches thick.

With this all-rounder, the paddler can tackle both flatwater and the waves. In addition, it comes with a nearly complete SUP package at a reasonable £410 at the time of writing.

However, the alloy paddle can be heavy for smaller paddlers. So, the SUP would perform better if you pick up a fiberglass or carbon paddle.

Verdict:

A great board for smaller, lightweight paddleboarders and beginners.

5. Two Bare Feet Entradia

Stability & High-Maneuverability!

The Two Bare Feet Entradia started as an average all-round SUP board. But, it has received continuous upgrades and become one of the best boards for paddlers to practice the SUPing basics.

It measures about 10 feet and 6 inches long, 34 inches wide, and 4.75 inches thick.

Thus, the extra-wide board makes it possible for even the new paddleboarders to ride it in relative safety. Moreover, the board has double-wall fabric with 1000 denier textiles. So, this watercraft is durable enough to survive most impact-based damages.

Nevertheless, it can only carry about 210 lbs or 95 kg. But, if you don’t plan on going for long-distance SUP tours, this weight limit won’t be much of an issue.

At the time of writing it was reduced from £550 to a sale price of £375.

Verdict:

Excellent watercraft for beginner paddleboarders who plan to go on short paddling sessions.

6. Aquamarina Vapor

Portable & Durable!

The Aquamarina Vapor features cutting-edge technology and advanced construction materials. Naturally, therefore, it’s easy to carry and sturdy enough to ride in rock-infested waters.

It’s approximately 10 feet and 4 inches long, 31 inches wide, and 6 inches thick.

Though it has a comparatively smaller build, it can surprisingly support up to 308 lbs or 140 kg. Plus, the board itself weighs only about 18.7 lbs or 8.5 kg. As such, even kids or the elderly will be able to carry this board effortlessly.

However, the Vapor board is pretty slow in the water, and it doesn’t have the best stability. So, it may take a while before a beginner SUPer can get familiar with it. Nonetheless, once the rider has mastered the basics, this board offers impeccable performance.

Verdict:

A fantastic option for newbies who travel a lot so another best paddle board for beginners..

Tips & tricks to pick the best boards

It can be pretty challenging to pick a suitable iSUP for a beginner who’s never set foot on a  paddle board before. 

So, in this section, we’ll share with you some tips and tricks to choose the best paddle board for a beginner.

• First of all, as a beginner, you will want to look for a board with good stability.
• The quickest way to determine a SUP board’s stability is to see how wide it is and how much it can carry. 
• In general, a board that is 30 inches or more in width will have excellent stability.
• Afterward, you may want to consider its durability.
• A quick look at the maximum PSI level of the board will tell you about the sturdiness of the board. Higher PSI boards usually have better construction.

Aside from these, there are many little tidbits of information on the manual that comes with most iSUP’s. So, you may want to take a closer look at these. After all, knowing your board is the first step towards becoming a paddle boarding pro!

Bottom line

Whether you’re a beginner or a more advanced paddler, having the best board for you is crucial if you wish to enjoy a smooth paddle boarding experience. As such, we hope these reviews will help lead you to the perfect board for your needs.

Furthermore, these should also provide practical advice about what factors to consider before making your decision.

So, choose your SUP board carefully. Afterward,  it’s time to get on the water and enjoy your new paddleboarding adventures!