Stand up paddle (SUP) boarding has become an extremely popular sport in the last 5 years, with the industry having grown 500% since 2018. If you’re looking to take part and shop for a paddle board of your own, it’s important you know the advantages and disadvantages of inflatable and hard paddle boards. Once you know the board that’s best for you, shop from a reputable retailer. Get On The Water boards are guaranteed high-quality products which ensure they’ll last you years. For deciding which SUP board best suits your needs, this article has you covered; read on for more information. Hard Paddle Boards: Advantages Performance Due to their rigid surface, hard boards are more efficient at cutting through the water. This results in better speed, agility and handling overall, offering a more responsive experience. Hard SUP boards tend to be the product of choice for competitive stand up paddle racing as a result. Durability A hard paddleboard is far less likely to sustain heavy damage from sharp rocks or debris compared to inflatable SUP boards. They can still be damaged or scratched in these cases, but this is unlikely to compromise its usage. Better for Surfing Due to the better responsiveness of hard boards, they are ideal for paddleboard surfing and more advanced boarding techniques. They generally offer much better manoeuvrability and stability over waves and rougher waters. No Inflation Required One of the obvious benefits is that paddlers don’t need to spend time tiring out their arms to inflate their boards. After you arrive at the beach, river or lake, you’re ready to get in the water and start your adventure. Hard Paddle Boards: Disadvantages Storage and Transport Hard boards don’t have the advantage of being deflated and packed down. They’re bulkier and heavier, so you’ll need a roof rack and straps to transport them. Price Designed to navigate surf and rougher waters, these boards tend to be more expensive due to their quality build. It’s a big up-front price, but if you have a real passion and love SUP boarding, it might be worth the investment. Fragility to Impact While they are more resistant to scratches, hard boards can be more significantly damaged when dropped or colliding with rocks. Soft/Inflatable Paddle Boards: Advantages Portability One of the most noteworthy advantages of inflatable boards is that they are designed to be deflated and stored in backpacks. This makes transporting them and storing them at home much easier. Durability Conversely to hard boards, inflatables can handle drops or impacts with ease. They will usually shrug off bumps and scrapes unless something punctures the rubber. Great for Beginners Inflatables are ideal for beginner paddlers, as they are usually wider and thicker. This offers greater stability and a more easy experience while at a lower skill level. They are also lighter and softer, making them better for children. They will more likely be able to carry them without trouble and avoid injury if capsizing. Versatility Inflating boards perform adequately in a number of environments, meaning they are a good all-around option. These types of SUP boards also come in a wide range of choices, varying in style, brands, sizes and more so anyone can find a product for them. Soft/Inflatable Paddle Boards: Disadvantages Performance Inflating boards lack the same speed and agility as hard boards when on the water. They will usually be much slower and more cumbersome to steer. […]
