In this article, the Quebec SUP team informs you about paddleboard sizes and the impact they have on the use of your board in order to help you choose the right size of paddleboard when purchasing. Enjoy your reading!
You are new to the world of paddleboarding and are now at the stage of buying your first board? Are you looking for a board that offers sufficient flotation and stability for your skills and weight? A board that paddles fast enough for a satisfying experience that will suit the type of use you are going to make of it?
Length
The most popular paddle boards for general use are 10-11 feet long and 32-34 inches wide. If stability is a priority for you, we recommend a board with a width of 33-34 inches. There are boards wider than 34 inches, but you may end up with a board that is slower and less fun to use.
Handling
Is maneuverability a priority for you? If your weight is less than 175 lbs, you can opt for a shorter board with a length of 10 feet. Smaller boards are great fun and can be very stable. Just make sure the width matches the length, about 32 inches. A 10" board that is wider than 32 inches will be slow to paddle.
Speed
If speed and stability are priorities for you, consider an 11 foot or 11 foot 6 inch board for running and touring activities. A width of 32 inches is excellent for a stable touring board. Racing boards can be 28 inches or even 26 inches wide, which makes them very fast, but less stable. 31 inches is a common compromise for an 11 foot 6 inch board that can be used for both touring and racing.
Specialised forms
Specialised shapes can also be found for specific uses. The 36-inch wide paddle boards are often used for running rapids, but are too wide for general use because they are slow.
Inflatable or rigid board?
It is important to be aware of the stability advantage of inflatable boards over rigid boards. Inflatable paddle boards have a uniform thickness from left to right and from nose to tail. They are therefore much more stable than rigid boards of similar size. Rigid boards are sculpted to reduce weight and optimise racing and surfing performance, if not reduce stability and buoyancy for the recreational paddler. Note that it is also much easier to transport an inflatable board in your vehicle!
Choosing the size of your paddle board is only the beginning of your search for a board. Before you buy, the Quebec SUP team advises you to learn about the All-Around and Touring paddleboard shapes.
While there are many factors that influence the ideal length and width you should look for in a paddleboard, the Quebec SUP team has put together the charts below that should help you get into an appropriate range if you are a beginner paddler looking for a board for all-round use. For intermediate and advanced paddlers who want a board for multipurpose use, including flatwater cruising, light surfing and moderate distance touring, the above chart will also help you.
GUIDELINES FOR A BEGINNER PADDLEBOARDER
|
TOTAL WEIGHT ON THE BOARD |
Width |
Length |
|
less than 125 lbs (- 56kg) |
31-32" |
9'6"-10'6" |
|
125-150 lbs (56-68 kg) |
31-32" |
9'6"-11' |
|
150-175 lbs (68-79 kg) |
31-33" |
10'0"-12'6" |
|
175-225 lbs (79 - 90 kg) |
32-34" |
10'0"-12'6" |
|
225+ lbs (102 kgs +) |
32-34" |
10'0"-12'6" |
GUIDELINES FOR AN INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED PADDLEBOARDER
|
Width |
Length |
|
|
Less than 125 lbs (- 56kg) |
29-32" |
9'6"-10'9" |
|
|
125-150 lbs (56-68 kg) |
30-32" |
9'6"-11'0" |
|
|
150-175 lbs (68-79 kg) |
30-32" |
9'6"-12'6" |
|
|
175-225 lbs (79 - 90 kg) |
30-33" |
10'0"-12'6" |
|
|
225+ lbs (102 kgs +) |
32-34" |
10'0"-12'6" |
Keep these points in mind when choosing your board size:
- The size and relative range of the paddler
- How you intend to use the board
- Who else could use your board
- The likelihood that you will have passengers on board (young children and pets).
Being well informed about the length and width you are looking for in a paddleboard is an important step in getting the most out of your board this summer
- The Wild Tribe Team
