How to Choose Your First Paddle Board: A Beginner's Guide

How to Choose Your First Paddle Board: A Beginner's Guide

Beginners looking to make their first paddle board purchase, choosing the right board is crucial to ensure a positive and enjoyable experience. While there are several types of paddle boards available, including inflatables and various specialized models, a solid all-around paddle board often presents the best option for novices. This guide will walk you through why a solid board is advantageous, especially for those new to the sport, and how to select one that will meet your needs as you learn and grow your paddle boarding skills.
 
UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PADDLE BOARDS
There are primarily three types of paddle boards:
 
All-Around Paddle Boards: These are versatile and suitable for a variety of conditions and activities, including yoga, fishing, surfing and leisure paddling. They are generally stable and a great choice for beginners.
 
Touring Paddle Boards: These are designed for long distances in flatwater—like lakes and calm seas. They are typically longer and narrower, which makes them faster and great for enthusiasts looking to cover more distance.
 
Surf Paddle Boards: Shorter and more maneuverable, these are designed for ocean waves. They are ideal for paddlers looking for exhilaration.

Paddle boards come in multiple styles and sizes. From a 9'5" Surf style to a 12'6" Touring style.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT SIZE
Choosing the right size for your paddle board is essential to ensuring a good balance of stability, maneuverability, and speed, all of which enhance your paddling experience. Here’s a more detailed look at how to select the right size based on your needs and conditions:
 
Length
Paddle boards vary in length, generally ranging from about 8 to 14 feet. The length of the board affects its performance in the water:
Short Boards (under 10 feet): Ideal for surfing and kids. These boards are more maneuverable and easier to turn, making them suitable for wave riding but less stable on flat water.
Medium Boards (10 to 12 feet): These are the most versatile boards, often recommended for beginners. They offer a good balance between stability and maneuverability and are suitable for all-around use on flat water, small waves, or light touring.
Long Boards (12 to 14 feet and up): Designed for racing and long-distance touring. They are faster and have better glide efficiency over long distances but are harder to turn and manage for beginners.
 
Width
The width of a paddle board significantly influences its stability. Wider boards are more stable and better suited to beginners:
Narrow Boards (under 30 inches): These are typically faster and offer better tracking, making them ideal for more experienced paddlers or those interested in touring or racing.
Medium Width Boards (30 to 32 inches): Offer a balance of stability and performance, suitable for most beginners and intermediates in a variety of conditions.
Wide Boards (33 inches and over): Provide the most stability, making them ideal for larger paddlers, absolute beginners, or anyone using their board for activities that require a solid platform.
 
Volume
The volume of a paddle board, measured in liters (L), dictates its ability to float with a certain amount of weight on it. This figure is critical, in finding a board that fits you properly:
Higher Volume: Supports more weight, ensuring that the board remains adequately buoyant when loaded. This is crucial for heavier paddlers or those who carry a lot of gear.
Optimal Volume: Can be roughly estimated by multiplying your body weight in pounds by 1 to 1.4 to find a suitable volume in liters (for instance, a 200-pound individual would look for a board around 200 to 280 liters).
 
When selecting the size of your paddle board, consider how you plan to use it, your body weight, and your experience level. Beginners should opt for wider, longer, and thicker boards for maximum stability. As skills improve, paddlers can choose to shift to more performance-oriented sizes. Just remember, that it doesn’t take long for paddling skills to improve. Purchasing a board with a volume 1.4 times your bodyweight while feeling very stable at the beginning will start to feel oversized as your skills and balance improves. Stick closer to the 1:1 ratio if you don’t want to quickly outgrow your board.

Solid paddle board after 6 years of use.

Inflatable Paddle Board after 3 years of use.

DECIDE BETWEEN SOLID AND INFLATABLE BOARDS
Solid paddle boards, often made from materials such as fiberglass, bamboo, epoxy, or carbon fiber, offer several advantages over inflatable paddle boards, particularly for beginners. Here's a breakdown of why solid paddle boards is a better choice for someone new to the sport:
 
Stability
Solid paddle boards typically provide superior stability compared to inflatable boards. This is due to their rigid construction, which helps the board maintain a steady and firm surface when standing, kneeling, or paddling. The rigidity allows for a smoother ride in various water conditions, which can be particularly reassuring for beginners who are still learning to balance and control their board.
 
Performance
Solid boards generally have better performance characteristics. They tend to glide through water more smoothly and efficiently, making it easier to paddle longer distances with less effort. The improved glide and speed of solid boards can be attributed to their sleek design and weight, which help in cutting through water more effectively. For beginners, this means less energy spent on paddling and more enjoyment exploring.
 
Durability
Although inflatable boards are praised for their durability in terms of impact resistance, solid paddle boards are more durable when it comes to dealing with scratches, dents, or exposure to UV rays. A solid board's hard surface can handle bumps against rocks or docks better without any puncture risks, which might be common with lower-quality inflatables.
 
Immediate Readiness
Unlike inflatable boards, which require some setup time to inflate before use, solid paddle boards are ready to go as soon as you reach the water. This can be more because you can get on the water quickly without the additional effort of pumping up the board each time.
 
Better For Learning Techniques
Solid paddle boards offer a more authentic paddling experience, with better feedback from the water. This can be crucial for beginners who are learning paddling techniques and balance. The instant feedback when maneuvering or adjusting stance can help new paddlers develop their skills more effectively.
 
Longevity and Maintenance
While both types of boards require maintenance, solid paddle boards often have a longer lifespan if properly cared for. They don't require the periodic inflation and deflation that can stress inflatable boards' seams over time. Additionally, storage of solid boards, though requiring more space, doesn't involve as many considerations about temperature and pressure as inflatables do.
 
While inflatable boards have their advantages, such as easy storage and transport, solid paddle boards offer stability, performance, and ease of use that can be especially beneficial for beginners. They allow new paddlers to focus more on developing their skills.

This big guy loves his 36" wide Wappa OLAS!

CONSIDER YOUR WEIGHT AND SKILL LEVEL
When considering the weight of the paddler in relation to purchasing a paddle board, there are several factors to keep in mind that will help ensure stability, safety, and enjoyment. Here's a detailed breakdown:
 
Weight Capacity of the Board
Every paddle board has a specified maximum weight capacity, which is crucial for maintaining the board's stability and performance in the water. If a paddler exceeds the weight limit, the board may sit lower in the water, making it more difficult to paddle. Conversely, a board that's too large for a paddler may be unnecessarily bulky and hard to control.
 
Choosing the Right Board Based on Weight
Weight Capacity: As a general rule, choose a board whose weight capacity exceeds your body weight by at least 20-25%. This margin allows for the board to perform optimally even when you add the weight of your gear, such as a life jacket, cooler, or dry bag. For instance, if you weigh 200 pounds, look for a board that can handle at least 240 to 250 pounds.
 
Board Volume: The volume of a paddle board, measured in liters, directly correlates with its ability to float and support weight. A higher volume means better buoyancy. Manufacturers often list the volume of the board, and a simple way to determine if a board’s volume is appropriate is by multiplying your weight in pounds by 1 to 1.4 to get the minimal volume in liters (e.g., 200 lbs x 1.1 = 220 liters).
 
Board Length and Width: Longer boards offer more speed and can support more weight, making them ideal for heavier paddlers or those looking to paddle longer distances. Width also plays a significant role in stability; a wider board (31 inches or more) is suggested for heavier or larger paddlers as it offers more surface area and stability.

Wappa CLASSIC | All Around | 1O'6" | 190L

Wappa NOVA | All Around | 11'4" | 215L

BEST CHOICE FOR BEGINNERS:  A SOLID ALL-AROUND BOARD
When selecting your first paddle board, we recommend opting for a solid all-around board. This type of board is ideal for beginners for several compelling reasons:
 
Advantages of a Solid All-Around Paddle Board
Stability: Solid all-around boards are typically wider, which translates to increased stability. This makes them excellent for beginners who are still mastering their balance and confidence on the water.
 
Performance: Solid boards offer better performance in terms of glide and maneuverability. They cut through water more efficiently, making paddling less labor-intensive and more enjoyable. This is a significant advantage for beginners who are learning paddling techniques and building endurance.
 
Feedback and Control: Thanks to their rigid structure, solid boards provide better feedback when paddling. This can help beginners improve their technique more effectively as they can feel the water's response to their strokes and adjust their body positioning and paddle handling accordingly.
 
Durability: Solid boards are generally more durable than inflatable boards. This is advantageous for new paddlers who might frequent shallow waterways where collisions with obstacles are more likely.
 
Considerations for Choosing a Solid All-Around Board
Size: Look for a board that’s about 10 to 12 feet long and 30 to 34 inches wide. This size range offers a good balance between stability and performance, suitable for most water conditions you’re likely to encounter as a beginner.
 
Volume: Volume is a crucial factor as it determines the board's ability to float and support your weight along with any additional gear. For beginners, a higher volume board ensures better stability and buoyancy. A general guideline is to choose a board with a volume in liters that is roughly equal to your body weight in kilograms multiplied by 2. For instance, if you weigh 80 kilograms (about 176 pounds), look for a board with around 160 liters of volume. This ensures the board is sufficiently buoyant to support your weight and provide a stable platform.
 
Price Range: While solid boards can be more expensive than inflatables, they are an investment in durability and performance. Prices can vary widely based on materials and brand, but expect to spend in the range of $1000 - $1,500 for a good quality new board.
 
Choosing a solid all-around paddle board as your first board offers a blend of stability, ease of use, and performance that can significantly enhance your learning experience and enjoyment on the water. This type of board is a great investment that will serve you well as your skills progress.
 
Selecting the right paddle board is a significant first step toward enjoying the water in a new and exciting way. A solid all-around paddle board offers stability, durability, and performance, making it an ideal choice for beginners. These boards are not only easier to manage but also provide a reliable platform to help you confidently develop your paddle boarding skills. Remember to consider factors such as size and volume to find a board that best suits your individual needs. By investing in a solid all-around paddle board, you're setting yourself up for success on the water.
Now, get out there and have some fun!