r/Sup 15h ago

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

4 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.

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 (casual, 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 Oct 09 '24

How To Question COLD WEATHER PADDLING SAFETY AND CLOTHING

34 Upvotes

Things are cooling down in the Northern Hemisphere and lots of folks are (rightfully) asking what to do to keep paddling safely when it's colder.

ColdWaterSafety.org for detailed information about paddling safety in cold water

This guide for stand up paddle boarding in the winter has information distilled from Cold Water Safety along with recommendations on types of clothing for different water temperatures.

Always Dress For Immersion!

No matter your skill level, we are all between swims. Immersion in cold water can be debilitating and even deadly within seconds. Always dress for the water temperature, even on warmer days. It's far easier to cool down while paddling than it is to warm back up.

Cold shock is a serious concern in water as "warm" as the low 50F range (10C) and can cause near-instant drowning.

Water transfers heat ~25x faster than air. Hypothermia is a serious concern even in these shoulder seasons before it gets really cold. Bring dry clothing, a towel, and warm beverages with you (on the beach or in a dry bag).

Wear Your PFD / Life Jacket!

While a PFD isn't technically thermally protective, it can help. But more importantly it will help keep you afloat in an emergency. "But I'm a good swimmer!" Are you better than a USCG Rescue Swimmer? It didn't take long (less than a minute) for this one to suffer from incapacitation in cold water (Jump to 6:15).

Follow Basic Paddling Safety Guidelines

Check the weather, use appropriate equipment, wear your PFD, paddle with a partner, carry effective communication, leave a float plan.

When in doubt, don't go out.


r/Sup 6h ago

Paddling down the Oust in Brittany

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78 Upvotes

r/Sup 53m ago

I love when the water is like glass. Sunset paddleboarding with my boy.

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Upvotes

r/Sup 53m ago

Buying Help Shark 3 vs Shark 3 Mini

Upvotes

Are they really that close in performance!? Jheeeeez I’m torn. Someone please fill me in if they’ve had experience with both these pumps.


r/Sup 11h ago

Accessories

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12 Upvotes

hi bought my first paddle board looking for recommendations for a dash cam and 360 light that fit the pre thread on the itsostar


r/Sup 6m ago

Trip Report NoVA Water Marathon (and one to grow on)

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Upvotes

Been working up to a water marathon and finally crossed it off the list. I don't really have a point of reference for how this effort stacks, but I was generally pleased with it. Only downside is that I forgot to change workout mode on my Garmin, so I didn't get stats for the first ~4 miles or so.

The paddle itself was in northern Virginia where Bull Run, the Occoquan River, and Occoquan reservoir intersect. Because this was an out and back to a dam to the west and shallows to the east, the first seven miles were against a slight current. Conversely, the last seven were against the current. Sunny with a slight breeze and temps starting around 70 and climbing to about 90 in early afternoon.

I ran this on an Infinity eTicket 14x30, but plan to punch 30 miles next Saturday on my 12'6 ETicket. Rations were hit or miss - Chomps jerky, cheese-itz, clifs shot blocks, and homemade pre-workout. Next time I'll definitely prioritize carbs more, but the jerky was a great break from the typical carbs I would otherwise consume.

Welcome input on pacing, general stats, etc. Or just a general discussion around longer distance paddling.


r/Sup 1d ago

Paddling the Blavet river in Brittany, France

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63 Upvotes

r/Sup 1d ago

Trip Report Manatee mania while paddle boarding in SWFL!

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96 Upvotes

r/Sup 1d ago

How far is too far?

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5 Upvotes

r/Sup 1d ago

The girl and the pup

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145 Upvotes

r/Sup 1d ago

Gear/Repairs/DIY How could I go about fixing this?

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5 Upvotes

Unfortunately because Florida’s weather is so unpredictable, my friend and I got caught in some nasty weather and I tied his board to my back handle which had a metal D-ring. D-ring ripped out and took my handle with it, so im looking to fix my handle to make my board easy to carry around again.

Edit: To add I do own a canister of HH-66 as ive done a patch on my side rail for a small pinhole leak, just not sure How I could get the webbing of the handle back under the vinyl and glue it.


r/Sup 1d ago

Did my first solo paddle! Hayward lake, BC

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87 Upvotes

r/Sup 21h ago

Leash on flat calm lake?

1 Upvotes

Might be a controversial topic, but I'm really curious.

When I paddle in my hometown lake which is very calm and not windy, what's the upside of using a leash? I've been using it so far out of habit, but the other day I all of a sudden thought - why?

Seems like the chance of the board getting away from me is practically zero. Do any of you paddle without a leash in that kind of environment?


r/Sup 1d ago

What to wear in summer rain?

4 Upvotes

I am quite new to paddleboarding, but I'd like to extend my season into (early) fall at least! I've been reading up on cold(er) weather options, but I'm a bit lost when it comes to the inbetween weather we've been having here lately. It's still warmish outside: 20-25C with scattered big/rainy clouds. In the shade it's cool but still ok, when the sun comes out between showers it's rather humid and very warm suddenly. The rain itself is quite cold. Water temp is about 19-20 the past few days.

I mostly wonder what you people wear when there's a good chance though no certainty of rain. How do I not get too hot, but not cool down too much? I have a 3/2 shorty wetsuit, but it's uncomfortably warm when I don´t fall in and the sun is out. Just normal shirts and shorts and accept colling down when it rains? Raincoat? Websites say layers, but not many specify the layers (wetsuit and raingear?). What do you people wear?


r/Sup 1d ago

Wildlife sighting

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23 Upvotes

Spotted an eagle while taking a break paddling the Ridgway Reservior, CO


r/Sup 1d ago

Gear/Repairs/DIY Did anyone try a sail or a wing with their SUP? I have a few questions.

6 Upvotes

I have a narrow SUP and I'm planning to modify it, I'll add a long fin in the centre of the bottom side and I need to know if this kind of board behaves well with either a wing or a sail.

#

I want to use it for touring so a sail would be preferable, but I'm afraid it'll be hard to control the board since it's so narrow (about ~80-100cm).


r/Sup 1d ago

Mazury

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12 Upvotes

I’m absolutely charmed by Lake Nidzkie! 😍 The last weekend of the summer holidays took me by surprise—we had nearly half the lake all to ourselves. During five hours on the water, I saw maybe eight sailboats, a few anglers in boats, and three SUPs. It was completely empty—pure freedom and a silence that was simply stunning. It was a bit windy, with waves washing over the board, but it was awesome! I have a feeling September and October are going to be even better!


r/Sup 1d ago

Bluestorm v1 vs Bluestorm v2 - Amazon purchase observation

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2 Upvotes

For those that have not purchased a Bluestorm Cirro 16

Teal - V1
Hi Vis - V2

Notice that the graphic version on amazon are different.

I purchased the $89 teal vs $74 Hi Vis noticed a big difference in comfort.
* Stitching on front & back of newer design neon is much more flexable
* padded belt front w/ loops
* V2 version bends around your waist easier due to new stitching.
* V2 has a softer material on back that feels good against skin. V1 feels like plastic (irritating)
* Belt is more comfortable on V2
* V1 feels bulkier due to stitching.

As of right now the $99 animal graphic options, Hi Vis and Nitro Red seem to ship from amazon w/ V2 design. Just something I noticed to be aware of.

I was a bit irritated to pay $20 more for older design that was not as comfortable. Just for a color..


r/Sup 2d ago

Paddled to see the moon jellyfish in Long Beach, ca. moon jellyfish do not sting.

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128 Upvotes

r/Sup 1d ago

Island Camping on the River

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18 Upvotes

Willamette River Paddle Board camping on Ash Island


r/Sup 2d ago

Trip Report Chain o lakes Waupaca Wisconsin

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35 Upvotes

My happy place ❤️ Only an hour’s drive away from me! My favorite spot is here—the water is such a beautiful shade of blue, and it’s so peaceful. It’s also really nice that people can swim here. 🩵


r/Sup 2d ago

Trip Report Lake Winnipesaukee

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24 Upvotes

r/Sup 2d ago

Went out for an early morning paddle

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42 Upvotes

r/Sup 2d ago

Trip Report New Foldable SUP in Hermosa Beach, CA

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22 Upvotes

Only have an inflatable SUP I use at Long Beach Naples or up in Mammoth Lakes

Saw these guys finishing up and last guy had his board snapped from a massive wave

If you fellas are on here what’s up and now you got an excuse to get a new one ;)