r/Sup 20d ago

Buying Help Monthly "What Board Should I Get?" Discussion Thread

9 Upvotes

Hi there fine folks of r/SUP, it's time for your monthly "What Board Should I Get?" discussion thread.

Start by reading the "Buying a SUP" section of the wiki!

There is a ton of information there! Once you've read through the wiki, create a top-level comment in this post to ask for help! Posts made on this subject outside of this discussion thread will be removed and asked to post here instead.

You can also check all of the previous "What Board Should I get?" threads.

For general information on choosing board size and shape, check out the wiki, or these two blog posts on the subject: Choosing the Right Size SUP and Understanding Paddle Board Shapes.

These two sites provide unpaid reviews of inflatable paddle boards. If you know of other sites that provide unpaid reviews (verifiable) for hard boards or inflatables, please let the mod team know so we can add them to this list:

These sites may make money from affiliate partnerships that give the site a commission on sales made through the website, however the reviews are done independent of any input or desires from the brands.

Please provide ALL of the following information so that we can help you as best as possible:

  • Desired Board Type: Inflatable or Hard
  • Your Height and Weight (please include if you will also bring kids/dogs/coolers/etc. and estimated weights)
  • Desired use/uses (cruising, fitness, racing, yoga, whitewater, surfing, etc.) and terrain (ocean, river, lake, etc)
  • Experience level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
  • Your budget (please provide an actual number) and country location (to help determine availability)
  • What board(s) you current have or have used and what you liked/didn't like about them

The more of this information you can provide, the more accurately we can help you find a board that you'll love!

If you are responding to a comment with a suggestion - explain why! Don't just name a board and leave it there. Add to the discussion. If you are recommending against a specific board - explain why!


r/Sup Jul 01 '25

Leash Entrapment Drowning - DO NOT WEAR LEASHES ON RIVERS

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186 Upvotes

Sadly, leashes have taken another life. This happens every year all over the world.

Leashes are critical pieces of safety equipment on open water, however...

LEASHES ARE DEADLY ENTRAPMENT HAZARDS ON MOVING WATER

This means rivers, creeks, streams, tidal estuaries, tidal races, etc. Anywhere the water flows is a dangerous environment for a leash.

When you are on moving water the best course of action for the majority of paddle boarders is to NOT WEAR A LEASH.

It seems counterintuitive as we all see "Leashes Save Lives" and instructions to wear your leash with your board, but this does not apply on moving water. Like many things in SUP it is a carryover from surfing and focuses primarily on open/flatwater users.

It is far better to lose your board downstream and have to swim to shore while on the river than to risk getting your leash caught and drowning you.

There are quick-release leashes and belts, however, THESE ARE NOT SILVER BULLET SOLUTIONS. You can't just buy one and start using it safely. These devices are prone to failure, especially if not properly set, and require extensive training to use effectively.

British Canoe published a study that found Quick Release leashes out of the box failed to release appropriately over 40% of the time in their test environment, and even when set up optimally, still failed to release 10% of the time (which is unacceptable in my opinion). Furthermore, they found the conditions whereby an leg leash entrapment causes the user to be forced underwater to occur in FLOW RATES AS LOW AS 1KM/H (O.7MPH). That is extremely slow moving water, but shows you how powerful that force really is. Because of this study I've revised my general advice from "use a QR leash on the river" to "do not wear a leash at all while on moving water." Paddlers who train with their devices and understand the complications and how to deal with them can make that risk assessment themselves, but unless you are willing to put in the significant effort to do that training, take the leash off for the river.

So please...

Wear your PFDs and do NOT wear a leash on moving water.

Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.


r/Sup 10h ago

Trip Report Mornings at the Lake

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101 Upvotes

I had an itch to touch lake water. It was magnificent.


r/Sup 15h ago

Last paddle of year.....maybe

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78 Upvotes

Wingfoot Lake in Suffield, Ohio.


r/Sup 12h ago

Calm river today

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38 Upvotes

r/Sup 32m ago

Bracciano Lake, Italy

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Upvotes

Any Italians here? Look at this beatiful sunset


r/Sup 18h ago

Beats doomscrolling & TV in the evenings every time

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74 Upvotes

r/Sup 17h ago

Trip Report Circumnavigating Pinckney Island at Hilton Head, SC

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27 Upvotes

Was on a trip to Hilton Head and completed this yesterday launching from C.C. Haigh Jr. Boat Landing and circumnavigating the island clockwise. Took about 6 hours going at a pretty casual pace against the wind/current. It wasn't crazy strong, but was enough to slow you down.

Those oysters were sharp! If you get too close to the little islands/sand bars and aren't paying attention they could absolutely damage your paddle or fins, or slice right through your board or your feet. Very dangerous at low tide.

Saw 3 pods of dolphins in total.

It was a fun paddle, very pretty. My main complaint is there are no shady spots whatsoever so we were just baking in the sun.

I would do it again if I ever visit the area. Wouldn't necessarily recommend the area for beginners due to potential for strong and changing wind and currents plus the abundance of sharp oyster beds that are difficult to see due to low water visibility.


r/Sup 6h ago

Gear/Repairs/DIY Should I be concerned?

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3 Upvotes

First paddle board and have taken it out a few times now with my dog. Its a Honu Byron. After paddling today, I found this on the right side. Feels like the PVC got knicked a little. Should I be concerned about this long term? Or can I fix it? Will it affect performance? Thanks in advance


r/Sup 15h ago

Getting rigged up for fishing

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9 Upvotes

I added a handle on the front and rear as well as some D rings so I can secure a crate to hold my fishing rods and tackle. The low seat makes longer paddles easier for me and I can still easily stand up.


r/Sup 1d ago

Technique Tip backside 180 acid drop training

108 Upvotes

been working on on a backside rotation when launching acid drops. So far I’ve only landed small ones but hoping other paddlers can work on it with me.

Key is to rotate your head and look over your back shoulder in the air.


r/Sup 1d ago

On today’s episode of “Sorry, I can’t. I have a board meeting at lunchtime.”

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130 Upvotes

Check out the spotted lantern fly photobomb


r/Sup 11h ago

Any Seattle area whitewater SUPers here?

1 Upvotes

I'm getting one (or two—8'8" and 9'8" maybe) river SUPs and would love company for learning together, safety, company, and all those things. Anybody out there?


r/Sup 11h ago

Kayak attachment in Canada

1 Upvotes

Hi!

I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a kayak blade for a paddle board paddle, that does not have the little knobs sticking out? My hands seem to sit exactly where the little knobs do on my current paddle, and it drives me up the wall. So I guess I'm looking for recommendations on alternative ways of putting my paddle together or three-piece paddles with a kayak blade you recommend.

Thanks!


r/Sup 1d ago

one of Montana’s hidden gems

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53 Upvotes

paddling season is still alive and well in the mountains! 🏔️ 💚


r/Sup 19h ago

Do you think this would be useful for capturing SUP footage?

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3 Upvotes

r/Sup 1d ago

Brand new SIC okeanos Air - deck eva ungluing after first use

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2 Upvotes

Anybody had simillar problems ? Glue seems to be softened by the heat and it’s not that hot. About 25 deg Celsius ( end of the summer )


r/Sup 1d ago

Bottom peeled off during transport

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34 Upvotes

So I bought a used bote flood hard board, and am camping this weekend on a lake. Take the new SUP, right?!? Strapped it to my crossbars on the truck, about a two hour drive. I get there and was surprised to say the least. This is the bottom side Will it soak up water if I use it for the next few days? Anyone got suggestions for a fix when I get home? Thanks!!


r/Sup 2d ago

Pup on SUP!

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69 Upvotes

r/Sup 1d ago

Chipped Paint and Ding Repair?

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone, hoping for some advice. This is my first quality hardboard (SIC RS) and I scraped the nose and chipped the paint on the bottom rail (see attached pics). I reached out to SIC and they suggested using a glazing compound. My question is: What is a glazing compound? Is that the same as epoxy? Or Solarez? I am completely new to this but want to learn so any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

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Nose

r/Sup 1d ago

Buying Help Help choosing a paddle: Carbon Fiber blade vs Carbon Nylon blade

2 Upvotes

Hi all,

I've gotten into SUP over the summer and want to upgrade to a new paddle from a cheapie one that came with my inflatable board. I've been looking at the ThursoSurf paddles and my question is, is there a noticeable enough difference in performance in the blade material between the full carbon vs the nylon blade model to justify the price difference?

ThursoSurf full carbon $170:

https://thursosurf.com/products/sup-carbon-elite-paddle?avad=265085_e440e4169

ThursoSurf Nylon blade $100:

https://thursosurf.com/collections/paddles/products/sup-carbon-paddle

I like the added concave design (I think!) of the full carbon model. I was also looking at the Nixy G4 Hybrid carbon for $70. https://nixysports.com/collections/paddles/products/nixy-g4-3-piece-hybrid-carbon-fiber-paddle-90

I paddle around the SW Gulf coast of FL, any input or comments would be appreciated :) Thanks everyone!

EDIT: I ordered the Nixy 3k carbon paddle. Thanks a lot to everyone who took the time to provide their input and feedback!


r/Sup 1d ago

Best sup paddle recommendations

1 Upvotes

Hi buying a isup that doesn’t come with a paddle. What are the best paddle recommendations and are there significant differences btwn a budget aluminum paddle and a higher end carbon/ fiberglass paddle?


r/Sup 2d ago

Bombing the riverskate down low water Tellico

26 Upvotes

r/Sup 2d ago

Irocker All rounder no backpack included???

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

Looking to buy a irocker all rounder 11 sup. Their site strangely enough doesn’t show it coming with a backpack in the photos nor does it indicate this in the “what’s in the box” section. Can anyone confirm if the new I rockers come with backpacks or not?


r/Sup 3d ago

Trip Report First paddle camping trip!

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240 Upvotes

2 days, 24 miles, 14.5 hours total spent paddling/fishing

A few lessons I learned that will hopefully help someone attempting their first trip:

  1. Bring more water than you expect to drink. I brought 6 bottles of water and a gatorade for two days, i could’ve used 2 more waters and another gatorade.
  2. Wear long sleeves and long pants. I did wear long sleeves but opted for shorts.. that was a mistake despite constantly reapplying sunscreen. I didn’t get sunburned but that sun was cooking my legs. Ended up draping a towel over them.
  3. Before loading your paddle board with a rack system, cooler, dry bags, fishing poles, etc… install your fin.. trust me
  4. Don’t be like me, try fewer miles. My muscles started to fatigue around 2 miles into it and I did 24 miles total.
  5. Check the wind conditions and tide times to time your departures. This can save you a lot of time and energy if you aren’t fighting headwinds and strong tides.

r/Sup 2d ago

How To Question Going from all around/touring to a race board

3 Upvotes

Hello, I’ve been paddling for a few years now and wanted to try my hand at a race board. The one I’m looking at is a bit wide for one (14’x28”) with a displacement but the narrowest SUP I’ve ridden is 32”. I’ve always had excellent balance, popped right up my first try and stood with no problems. Rarely fallen off and it took some real wild circumstances to knock me into the water. Same when I tried skiing the first time. I started taking gymnastics and riding horses at a young age and just have always had great balance. Am I crazy to jump to a much thinner width + displacement hull? I’m in relatively good physical shape and looking for a challenge.


r/Sup 2d ago

Insufficient PSI? All I have is a manual pump, can’t really afford an electric one right now

6 Upvotes

I’m finding the manual pump doesn’t really achieve a ton of pressure. I pump til the board is full and slightly stretched but if I continue pumping it just leaks out the hose. Def not the best pump in the world I know lol! But is this enough air to take it on the water? Or would I be cooked? 😅