Are cheap paddle boards any good?  No, cheap paddle boards are not any good.
 
QUALITY ISN’T CHEAP
Simply put, a quality product can’t be built cheaply.  A product’s retail price is based upon all the costs involved into getting it to the consumer.  Everything from research and development, to manufacturing, marketing, distribution and profit are included in any product’s MSRP. Often, the largest aspect that affects MSRP is the manufacturing cost.

Considering that the cheapest paddle boards sell for approximately $300, how good were the materials and craftsmanship that went into that board? As a manufacturer, I know that to make a profit at that sales price, not much money was spent on building a quality product.

BETTER QUALITY MATERIALS COST MORE
The simple fact is more expensive brands charge more because they have spent more to produce their products.

Components such as cores and epoxies for hard boards or stitching levels and number of baffles for inflatables will affect a paddle board’s cost.  As will the technology that is involved in making the board.  Cheaper paddle boards don’t use the superior sandwich technology or vacuum bagging. While the cheaper boards may look similar, they will not be as strong or as light as the more expensive board made with advanced technology.

Wappa could reduce it’s manufacturing costs by almost 50% if we followed some of the manufacturing practices and used the same materials to build our boards that cheaper brands use.  Unfortunately, we wouldn’t be able to maintain 100% customer satisfaction and have our owners repeatedly tell us how great their board looks, and how much they love it.

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR
While the previous paragraph sounds like a marketing spiel, it isn’t.  At Wappa, we’ve realized, that you get what you pay for.  We’ve tried the cheaper materials and production methods. They just don’t look as good or perform as well over time.  After building cheap prototypes, and letting our testers use them day in and out for two years, it was clear that over time, the cheaper boards didn’t perform as well as the better quality Wappas.

At the end of the day, any paddle board is better than no paddle board. If all you can afford is a cheap paddle board, do it! However, if you can save a little longer spend the money and get a quality board.  It will be worth the wait.

Is paddle boarding dangerous?  The short answer is NO, paddle boarding is not dangerous.  However, being a watersport, some safety precautions should be taken to prevent trouble on the water.
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Before we get into the precautions people should take to keep paddle boarding safe, let’s examine why stand up paddle boarding is not dangerous.
 
PADDLE BOARDS FLOAT              
Unlike surf boards which needs the water’s power to create lift, a paddle board will fully support a rider’s weight while simply floating on the water.  You can lay on the board above the waterline for a long time if you become tired or fatigued. 

PADDLE BOARDS ARE BIG
The typical paddle board is at least ten 10’6” long and 32” wide.  For the vast majority of people, they can lay or sit on the board without touching the water.  Unlike smaller surf boards, paddle boards are so large that they will not get mistaken as seals by sharks and it’s unlikely a shark will take a chomp out of a SUP and its rider in error.
 
LEASH ATTACHMENTS
Any paddle board brand of reasonable quality will have a leash attachment installed at the back of the board.  Attach yourself to the board by the leash, and no matter the water conditions, you will always be next to your board and the safety it brings.

​PADDLE BOARDING BEST PRACTICES
As a paddle boarder with more than 15 years experience, I am very comfortable on the water. However, I know that not all people feel the same as me.  So, I will tell you what I’ve told hundreds of paddle boarding students that I have taught over the years. Respect the water, follow these best practices and you will be fine.

• Always wear a leash.  The leash keeps you connected to your board and safety.
• Be a capable swimmer.  If you can’t swim, you have no business being on a paddle board.
• Know how to get back onto a paddle board after falling into water.  Practice this skill close to shore until you can do it easily.
• Know the water.  If you’ve never paddled a body of water before. Enter it by foot to see if it drops a few feet from shore or do you have to go out a hundred yards before the water is over your head. Is the tide coming in or going out? Where are the boats travelling? Etc…
• Know the weather conditions.  Is there a strong wind? Is it blowing on or off shore?  Is there a thunderstorm in the forecast?
• Wear a leash!!! I cannot stress this enough. That’s why I’m repeating it twice.
• PFD.  If you’re not a strong swimmer, or are learning to paddle surf, wearing a personal flotation device is a good idea. In some jurisdictions, PFD use is mandatory.
• Stay hydrated.  I always drink at least 1 liter of water on the beach immediately before I go for a paddle.  I guzzle it whether or not I’m thirsty.
• Wear a rash guard.  You body will take a beating from the sun while standing on open water for a couple of hours.  A rash guard helps to prevent dehydration and sunburn.

 
Coming from Mexico, I’ve paddle in many different environments.  I have paddled just off shore like a typical tourist.  I paddle surf, and I also paddle board on the open ocean.  Many times, I’ve left the beach in front of tourists only to return three hours later to hear from the tourists that they thought I was dead after I disappeared over the horizon.  Nope.  I wasn’t dead. Rather, I was enjoying the peace and quiet of the open ocean.  Nothing but me, the dolphins and sea turtles.  I have never felt in danger paddle boarding.  Just respect the water and have fun!

How much does a SUP board cost? The short answer is, it varies.  Generally, paddle boards range in price from $250 - $5000. This answer won’t help you to make a purchase decision.  So, lets dive a little deeper and understand why there is such a variation in costs. 
Like almost all products with large price variations, you get what you pay for. More expensive paddle boards are constructed better, and use superior materials and manufacturing technology.  All of these things cost money which directly affects the sales price.

MATERIALS
Materials are the biggest factor that determines a paddle board’s cost.  This is why inflatable boards are much less expensive then rigid paddle boards.  Inflatables are built mainly from polypropylene and are filled with air.  Rigid paddle boards are built from more expensive materials.

Because most inflatables are built with the same basic material, I will focus on rigid boards in this section. Rigid boards can vary greatly in price depending on materials used.

As a general rule, the lighter a rigid board is, the more expensive it will be.  Paddle boards made from carbon fiber are extremely light and extremely expensive.  Plastic shelled boards are a lot cheaper, but they may weigh up to 300% more than a carbon fiber board of the same size. 

Composite boards made from several different materials will vary in price depending on the quality of materials used and manufacturing technology.
 
TECHNOLOGY                  
The technology used to manufacture a paddle board also contributes a large portion to a SUP board’s cost.

Inflatable paddle board costs vary depending on how the board is built.  More expensive inflatables will have more air channels, and internal structures to help increase stiffness.  The amount and type of stitching will also affect how much a SUP board costs.

Technology also plays a large role in the cost of rigid paddle boards. More expensive quality paddle boards will use sandwich construction and vacuum bagging techniques to make their boards stronger and lighter. Fin boxes and SUP handles may have high density inserts placed into the core.  When you look at a paddle board at the store or online, you can’t tell that these technologies have been used.  Visually, cheaper boards might look just as good. However, in the long run, they won’t perform as well.
 
CRAFTMANSHIP
Another aspect that is often overlooked when learning how much a SUP board coasts is the level of craftsmanship that went into its construction.

Inflatable paddle boards are simply sewn together like a piece of clothing.  It doesn’t take long to build an inflatable, which helps explain the lower prices.

Hard boards on the other hand take much more time to make.  For example, a Wappa paddle board takes 29-34 days to produce from start to finish.  After our cores are machine shaped, our shapers fine tune every core by hand to seek perfection. After that, we start hand building every layer.

Not all rigid paddle boards take as long as a Wappa to manufacture. Depending on the type of technology and materials used, some boards may take as little as 3-7 days for manufacture.  Simply put, the less craftmanship in a paddle board, the cheaper it is.

BOARD TYPE
Another factor that affects the cost of a SUP board is the type of board you’re buying.

You will always be able to purchase an inflatable paddle board for less money than a rigid one.  An unbranded inflatable can be purchased for as little as $250. However, there are a few inflatable brands that sell for as much as $1800 which is comparable in price to quality hard boards.

Board type affects a SUP boards cost another way; by size.  Touring boards are often 12’-14’ long.  This is 20-40% longer than the average All Around type of paddle board.  Increased size means increased production cost. Increased production costs mean a greater retail sales price. 

While you’re trying to figure out how much a SUP board costs, remember that you get what you pay for. Don’t expect a $250 inflatable to perform as well as a $1500 inflatable, and don’t expect it to perform anywhere close to a rigid board. Whether you get an inflatable or a rigid SUP, you need to spend some money.  Quality inflatable paddle boards are available starting at $1000.  Quality rigid paddle boards start at around $1200. You don’t buy a cheap car and expect it to perform like a Ferrari. Don’t expect different from your paddle board.

“What size of paddle board do I need?” This is a standard first-time buyer question.
Answering these questions will help find your answer.
 
HOW MUCH DO I WEIGH?
This is the first question to ask. Once a person’s weight is known some board sizes can be easily selected.
Board sizes are measured in two ways.  First, there are physical dimensions that include height, width and thickness. An example of this would be 10’6” x 32” x4.5”.  The second measurement is by the boards volume or displacement which is measured in Liters (L). An example of this would be 190L. While a board’s dimensions will give you an idea of proper size, its displacement actually provides more information.

The greater the volume/displacement a paddle board has, the more weight it can carry without sinking.  In regards to stability versus volume for beginner paddlers, a ratio of 1L Displacement/1lb of rider weight (D/W) is a good guideline.
Using this ratio, a novice paddler considering a 190L paddle board can weigh as much as 190 lbs and still feel very stable on the board.
Experienced riders will be able to enjoy a smaller D/W ratio.
Don’t get a board that has a D/W ratio of 2/1 or greater. While the board will be very stable, you will soon have too much board, and will be pushing needless mass through the water.
 
WHAT IS MY EXPERIENCE LEVEL?
As paddle boarders gain experience, their ability to maintain balance and handle adverse water conditions improves. An experienced paddler can maintain balance and control on a smaller board more easily then a less experienced paddler.

WHAT IS MY EXPERIENCE LEVEL?
As paddle boarders gain experience, their ability to maintain balance and handle adverse water conditions improves. An experienced paddler can maintain balance and control on a smaller board more easily then a less experienced paddler.
 
ANY OTHER USERS?
Will there be other members of the family using the paddle board? Apply the previous two questions to the other riders and take that into your consideration.

WHAT ARE MY GOALS/PLAN?
Paddle boards come in different sizes and shapes because they are designed to do different things. Part of picking the right size paddle board is knowing what you want to do with it.

You shouldn’t buy a 14’ long 300L racing board just because you’re 250 lbs and it fits your Displacement/Rider Weight ratio. Buy this board if you want to take up racing or going on long paddles.

For most people, an All-Around style paddle board is the ideal shape for your first paddle board.  This style is good at just about everything, but it isn’t a specialist at any one function. The 1/1 ratio works very well with All-Around styles.

Picking the correct paddle board shouldn’t be based on data from a chart or table.  You’re going to have this piece of equipment for years, so more consideration should be taken. To properly determine the size of paddle board you need, ask yourself the four questions, and pay attention to your weight and the board’s displacement/volume.  Consider your experience level and use a baseline displacement/rider weight ratio of roughly 1/1. Match the paddle board’s style to meet your goals and you will have a selection that you’ll be happy with for many years.

Happy shopping!

As a paddle board manufacturer, I love it when people ask “What is the best paddle board for beginners?” It tells me that the person is being smart and making an informed purchase decision.

Like any activity, having the proper equipment helps the participant learn faster, perform better and have more fun. Stand up paddle boarding is no different.

The best paddle board for a beginner is a rigid/hard board with an All Around shape. Let me explain why.

ALL AROUND STYLE
There are several different styles of paddle boards available in the marketplace.  Some, like surf style boards look wicked and are eye catching in the store. Others are long, narrow and sleek looking like they will slice through water. While these paddle boards perform as awesome as they look, these styles aren’t the board for you as a beginner.

Beginners need an All Around shaped paddle board because this style of board is good at just about everything, but not great at any one thing.  This style tends to be very stable which is what beginners need.  To help with stability, look for boards that are at least 32” wide. The wider the board, the more stable it tends to be.

Because All Around boards are good at most things, you will get several years of use out of it before feeling the need to purchase something more specialized.  As you gain experience, you may start to paddle surfing or long paddle sessions.  Once you know what you love doing, then you can purchase your second, more specialized SUP.

RIGID IS BETTER
Despite the popularity of inflatable paddle boards, most inflatables are simply inferior to rigid paddle boards.  The simple fact is that every inflatable paddle board strives to have the rigidity of a hard paddle board, but almost none come close to matching stiffness.

A rigid SUP offers better stability and balance. When standing on most inflatables, there is a slight bend in the board where the paddler stands making it more difficult to stand and maintain balance.

Rigid paddle boards tend to have better glide through the water.  Once you’re up and going, do you really want to make it harder on yourself by using a less efficient SUP?

I have steered away from suggesting any particular brands as being “the best paddle board for beginners”. I will leave that to the various “Best of…” sites that direct readers to Amazon products.

Instead of suggesting any one brand of rigid All Around paddle board, I will simply say that quality boards start at $1000 USD.  If you spend more than that, there are many quality brands that will meet a beginner’s needs. Have fun shopping!

Are bamboo paddle boards any good? As a manufacturer of bamboo paddle boards, I strongly believe in using bamboo in paddle board construction. So… the short answer to that question is YES, bamboo paddle boards can be good.

BENEFITS OF BAMBOO
There are many reasons to use bamboo in paddle board construction. 

• It’s an eco friendly material
• It has the highest strength to weight ratio of any natural fiber
• It has a higher tensile strength than many steel alloys
• It has a higher strength to weight ratio than graphite which is a precursor of carbon fiber.

A quality bamboo paddle board makes use of the advantages that bamboo provides. Because it’s such a strong material, a company like Wappa uses a layer of bamboo to replace a layer of fiber glass.  Doing this, decreases the weight of the SUP without losing any of the board’s strength. In fact, bamboo is twice as strong as fiberglass!

Using bamboo also helps to lower a paddle board’s environmental footprint. Unlike fiberglass, bamboo is an organic product that can be harvested every three years.  Bamboo can be grown in degraded soil, and it helps to prevent soil erosion.  Bamboo also decreases a board’s eco footprint because it reduces the amount of epoxy required during construction.

BE WARY
Now that I’ve extolled the virtues of using bamboo in paddle boards, it’s time to urge some caution. Simply put, not all bamboo paddle boards are the same.

When shopping online, it’s easy to think one bamboo paddle board is as good as the next one. Afterall, from an image they pretty much all look the same. As a result, many shoppers purchase a bamboo SUP based on lowest price and they often end up disappointed.

Reasons for Disappointment

• Purchased a cheap product.  Bamboo paddle boards for less than $1000 USD are poorly made.
• Inferior construction technology.
• Paper instead of bamboo. Most cheap bamboo paddle boards use bamboo printed paper instead of REAL bamboo. Looks great in the image, but it has none of bamboo’s value.
• Inferior bamboo quality. Most companies use bamboo veneer that is .25mm - .50mm in thickness. Wappa uses 1mm thick Moso bamboo. Not only does this bamboo perform better, it looks better too.
  

WHAT TO LOOK FOR
When looking for a bamboo paddle board, here are a few suggestions for things to consider as you progress through your decision-making process.

• Does the brand make all types of paddle boards, or do they focus exclusively on bamboo?  Companies that focus on bamboo, tend to use better qualities of the material, and their production team have more experience working with the product.
• Is the bamboo on both sides of the board? In order to gain the trues strength to weight ratio advantage of bamboo, it should be used on both the top and bottom of the board. Paddle boards that only have bamboo on the top are just making a visual statement.  It’s probably not even bamboo. Just paper with a bamboo print.
• Construction Technology.  How is the paddle board made?  If the company isn’t proud of its technology, I would steer clear of that brand.
  

Paddlers looking for a paddle board that is lightweight yet strong, need to consider a bamboo paddle board from a quality brand like Wappa.  Next to carbon fiber, bamboo offers the best strength to weight ratio in the market place.  If you have to have the best of the best, go with carbon fiber.  It’s a superior material to bamboo.  However, if you want the next best thing for less than half the price, then you should consider bamboo.  Nothing else compares.

As a paddle board manufacturer, I get daily Google Alerts on various keywords important to my business. One of the Alerts I regularly receive are reviews/guides to the best paddle boards. After reading dozens of articles over the years, I’ve come to the conclusion that most reviews of the “Best Paddle Boards for 20XX” are completely worthless.

Don’t get me wrong, there are sites like supconnect.com and outdoorgearlab.com that offer quality reviews, where products are evaluated by skilled users and tested and compared against each other. Unfortunately, most reviews don’t match that level of quality.

What are the signs that the review you clicked on might be worthless?

Poor Explanation of Review Procedures
In order for product rankings to be accurate each test sample has to be evaluated to the same standards, and tested to the same criteria. If the review doesn’t explain what it was testing and how it was tested, you should be skeptical, as the reviewer might have an agenda.
 
Available on Amazon
Let’s be perfectly clear, the best paddle board brands do not sell on Amazon. Brands such as Starboard, Wappa, Boardworks, JP, BIC, Naish, etc… sell to stores. If they sell online, its usually through their own website, or a dealer’s site.

The biggest sign that the review you’re reading is worthless, is when most of the paddle boards reviewed can be purchased on Amazon. Reviews like this are nothing but marketing clickbait. When a reader clicks on a link in these reviews, they are immediately redirected to Amazon. At this point the article writer receives an Amazon commission for any purchase made. The purpose of these types of reviews is to earn money for the writer by driving Amazon sales. It doesn’t matter if the reviewed products are any good. All that matters is that the reader goes to Amazon and buy something. Anything.

Purchase Links
Like the Amazon example, many “best review” lists have links enabling the reader to purchase the products. This is just another marketing article where the writer who is an affiliate earns either a referral commission or drop ship sale. In other words, the best paddle boards on these lists are simply there because the reviewer has an opportunity to make some money.
 
Inflatable Paddle Boards Only
 Unless the review is exclusively focused on inflatable paddle boards, no inflatable would be considered among the overall best paddle boards. The simple fact of the matter is that professionals and other top paddlers prefer hard boards for a reason. They are stiffer and glide better than inflatables, which makes them faster and more efficient. To have a list of the “Best Paddle Boards for 20xx” and not include hard boards is disingenuous.

Stand up paddle boarding has been the fastest growing water sport globally for over a decade. As with all rapid growth areas, some people are out to make a quick buck. Worthless paddle board reviews like the ones described, do a disservice to the paddle board industry and to shoppers trying to make a good purchase decision.

As a proud manufacturer of eco friendly bamboo paddle boards, I want people to love the sport. When people purchase an inferior product, they will have an inferior experience. I want everyone to love paddle boarding, and I don’t want people getting ripped off buying a crappy paddle board when they think they are getting the best available. It’s just bad business.

Feel free to reach out to the Wappa Paddle Boards team if you have any purchase questions. We want you to love paddle boarding, and buy the SUP that’s right for you.

How much wind is to much for paddle boarding? That’s a question, I never considered until the wind chased me out of the water in Mazatlán, Mexico.

I was paddle surfing in Mazatlán on a very windy day. The waves were gorgeous and except for two surfers, I had the water to myself. I soon found out why. The wind was blowing parallel to the beach making it difficult to paddle to the spot I wanted to surf. I kept getting blown several hundred yards past the surf spot which forced me to work very hard paddling into the wind to get to where I needed to go. After catching a couple of waves, I gave up. No wonder I had the water to myself.

I learned a few lessons that day to help me evaluate the conditions whenever it’s extremely windy.

Lesson 1 - Wind Direction
The direction of the wind relative to the shore line is very important. If you’re paddling on the ocean, there is almost always an on-shore wind which means that returning to the beach when you’re tired is easier because you have the wind at your back.
On shore winds are not a given on lakes. If the wind is blowing from the land towards the water, it will be easy to paddle out. Just remember that if the wind is directly at your back on the way out, you have to paddle directly into it on the way back.
 
Lesson 2 – Water Chop
Windy days leads to choppy water. Choppy water is never fun. Often, as the sun gets higher in the sky, the wind picks up, and the water gets choppy. Inexperienced paddlers receive good balance lessons in choppy water, but that’s about it. As an experienced paddle boarder, choppy water isn’t a problem, it just doesn’t make for the best paddle experience. Avoid choppy water by not paddling on windy days.

Lesson 3 – Geographic Surroundings
It might not seem windy once you get to the beach. Trees, buildings, hills and other obstructions may block the wind on the beach. Before heading out for a two-hour rip, paddle a couple of hundred yards from shore to see what the conditions are like on the water. Usually by 200 yards from the shoreline, land obstacles aren’t affecting the wind. At this point, you’ll have a better idea which way the wind will be blowing during your excursion.

Overcoming the Wind
Once you understand the wind’s direction and strength, adopt a plan that will enable you to have a fun and safe paddle session. Here are a few tips.
Paddle out in a direction that will not have you returning directly into a head wind. Paddle into the wind when you’re strong, or paddle into it on an angle.

Keep track of your beach location and plan the return trip to your spot so that the wind is at your back or side.

Pay attention to the direction of the swells and make them work for you. Ride the swell on return and go out with it in the direction it travels. Riding swells replaces a lot of paddling energy when heading into the wind.

If the wind shifts, and you have to paddle directly into it when returning to your beach spot, don’t worry. Take your time, and pretend you’re a sailboat. These boats do a maneuver called tacking when moving forward into a head wind.

To tack back to shore, you first have to know where your beach spot is located. Upon finding your spot, simply paddle on an angle towards the beach but not directly into the wind. You may need to paddle at a 45 degree angle or more from your spot. After a while, you will be much closer to shore but away from your spot. Reverse your direction and head past your spot again. You will notice that you are closer to shore again, but still away from your spot. Continue this zig zag paddling until you are close enough to shore that the wind is no longer a factor. Then you can paddle directly to your beach spot. The image illustrates different tacking methods to return to the beach spot (B).

With these lessons, it will almost never be to much wind to go paddle boarding. You might not have as much fun compared to glassy water or beautifully breaking waves, but you’re still out on the water having a paddle. You may have to adapt your plan and work a little harder at times, but you will be a better paddler for it.

No longer can wind be an excuse not to paddle. Evaluate the wind and conditions. Make your plan and go for it!

As a manufacturer, Wappa regularly receives the question “How much do paddle boards weigh”.  We’re always glad to answer this question, because a paddle board’s weight is a good indicator of the technology, manufacturing techniques and materials that went into the construction of the product.

Depending on the board’s size and materials, a paddle board could weigh as little as 10.5 lbs or as much as 60 lbs. Simply put, a paddle board’s weight is almost directly connected to its price. The lighter and stronger the board, the more expensive it will be.

So why the weight discrepancy? How a paddle board is made, its size and the materials that go into it are primary factors in a SUP’s weight.

Construction Materials
Ideally, a shopper wants to purchase the lightest, stiffest paddle board he or she can afford. If money is no object, a pure carbon fiber SUP is the way to go. Carbon fiber is super strong and super light. It’s a great technology for paddle boards, as long as you can afford the $3K price tag that come with it. A 7’ long all carbon fiber surf style paddle board can weigh as little as 10.5 lbs.

On the other end of the weight scale is injection molded shapes that are filled with foam. Often these paddle boards are often manufactured by kayak or boat companies. These boards are very durable and they only cost a few hundred dollars. However, these types of paddle boards weigh in around the 50 lb range for a 10’6” long SUP.

Construction Methods
Look for paddle boards that are made using sandwich construction technology AND vacuum bagging. Sandwich construction is the layering and compressing of different layers of materials around the core. Vacuum bagging removes all excess epoxy applied during the sandwiching processing. This enables the board to lose excess weight without losing strength.

Just because a brand uses sandwich technology, don’t assume that the board has also been vacuum bagged. Cheaper products are often not vacuum bagged, which causes excess epoxy to set in the fiberglass layers, and increases board weight.
 
Fiberglass Layers
If you’re going to purchase a carbon fiber board, feel free to skip ahead. Carbon fiber replaces the layers of fiberglass, and most epoxy resulting in a lighter SUP.

Examine the layers of fiberglass your prospective paddle board may have. Cheap board may only have one or two layers of fiberglass. More expensive paddle boards will have more than 2 layers. Manufacturers use multiple layers of fiberglass and other materials to improve board stiffness and strength. However, don’t be fooled by a board that has 4+ layers of fiberglass. While stronger, each layer of fiberglass adds weight from the amount of epoxy needed for application.

That’s the key, finding a paddle board brand that is strong, light and affordable. It’s for this reason that Wappa manufactures exclusively in bamboo. Bamboo eliminates a layer of fiber glass and it’s accompanying weight without sacrificing the structural integrity of the paddle board.

Paddle Board Size
It should go without saying that with all other factors being equal, the longer and wider a paddle board is, the heavier it will be compared to a smaller board made the same way. Weight may vary by less than one pound for every foot in length depending on the manufacturing style.

The simple answer to the question “How much do paddle boards weigh?”, is that it varies. Weight is a good comparison factor. As stated earlier, a buyer should want the lightest, stiffest paddle board one can afford. However, I will say this, do not purchase a paddle board solely on price while ignoring its weight. Would you rather get exhausted pushing some heavy tug boat through the water or day, or would you prefer to be zooming along having a great time with a board that is half its weight but twice the price? Ultimately, it’s up to you.

“What should I wear”? was a common question I heard when I operated a stand-up paddle boarding school.  While it was simple to tell my students what to wear, there is no easy answer to this question in a general article. It depends on where you live, your experience level, and the weather conditions on your paddle day.

Instead of recommending any single outfit for paddle boarding, I suggest you consider the following recommendations when planning your outing.

Dress for Your Experience Level
Novice paddlers tend to fall into the water more often than experienced riders. Just because you are going for a paddle with an experienced friend, it doesn’t mean you should be dressing like her. She may anticipate having an easy paddle and may dress accordingly because she is confident she won’t be falling. You on the other hand, should plan on falling, and getting wet. Dress appropriately.

Dress to Get Wet
Can you paddle in jeans and a sweatshirt? Sure can, but if you have ever tried swimming in wet heavy clothing, you know it’s not fun. Wear synthetic fabrics that are thin and drain the water quickly. These fabric types are light, dry quickly and keep you from  getting cold. Bathing suits, board shorts, athletic apparel all work well in the water.

Dress for the Environment
The physical environment really dictates what you should be wearing. If you live in North America or Europe, board shorts, swimsuits and rash guards will be all you need in the summer months. In the spring or fall, shorts and a kayak jacket will work. Also consider wearing booties in the spring and fall months once the water gets cold again. Maybe it’s just me, but when cold water is constantly splashing on my feet in April or May, my tootsies get a little uncomfortable.

When it’s warm and sunny, a rash guard is a must. It keeps the sun off your back, and if you get hot, just jump in the water and your wet rash guard will keep you cool for the next 30 minutes of hard paddling.

Dress for Cold Water
Paddling in colder months when the water temperature is in the 40’s -60’s Fahrenheit should only be done with a wet suit. According to a University of Minnesota study a person loses body heat 25% faster in cold water (40°-60°F). Without protection, you could lose consciousness in as little as 30 minutes if you became stranded in the water.

Don’t Wear Constrictive Tops
Paddling requires your upper body to twist, bend and extend. Don’t wear clothes that are constricting or bind in the armpits. I have had several students over the years complain that they wore the wrong top and were uncomfortable.

Don’t Wear Anything You’re Not Prepared to Lose
I’ve learned this lesson the hard way. It doesn’t matter how good of a paddler you are, at some point you will have an unexpected fall. If you are not prepared to have your sunglasses, hat or phone sink to the bottom of the ocean, DON’T WEAR THEM PADDLE BOARDING. You might not lose them today or tomorrow, but you will lose them eventually.

Be Comfortable with Your Body
The most important thing is to be comfortable when your paddle boarding. If you would never wear a bathing suit, but are comfortable going into the water wearing a T Shirt and shorts. Do it! The simple fact is that you have enough to concentrate about just staying up and paddling. You don’t need to worry about being self conscious by the way you look.

I’ve developed these tips during my years of teaching. I’ve had students who were young and old, skinny and fat. I’ve learned that as long as people follow the tips I’ve listed above, they have had a good paddle boarding experience. If you keep what I wrote in mind, I’m sure you will have a great time too.