When people think about water-related activities, they often imagine swimming, surfing, and scuba diving. And while these activities are indeed fun, the world of water sports has so much more to offer. And one fun water sport you can try is paddleboarding. But before you can get started, you must first find the right paddle board for you.
Skill Level
First of all, you need to decide on how skilled of a paddleboard you are:
Beginner: If you are a beginner, you should buy a paddleboard that is stable and easy to use. This is so you can have a bit of practice before you move on to other more complex paddleboards.
Intermediate: If you are an intermediate, you should invest an advanced paddleboard. These typically have lower drag, however are not as stable as beginner boards. This will allow you to go faster or increase mobility.
Advanced: If you are an advanced paddler, you can buy a paddleboard that is specifically designed for your use. You can get a very special design, which has all the characteristics that you want. Examples are iSUPs for fishing, free diving, speed, tricks, you name it.
Location of Use
The next thing you need to take into consideration is where you will be using your paddleboard:
Lakes & Bays: Lakes and bays can be an ideal spot to paddle board. They are not typically as choppy as the ocean, are easily accessible, and provide great views.
Ocean: If you are a beginner just starting out, using your paddleboard in the ocean is ideal during calm conditions. It is much easier to paddle in areas with little to no waves or chop.
Rivers: Rivers can often be a bit easier to paddle as compared to the ocean, however only if you’re going downstream . You’ll want to make sure you have a ride back to your car after you’re finished. You’ll also need to make sure there are no rapds or shallow areas to traverse. If there are shallow areas, many boarders will take off their center fin. This reduces stability somewhat, however give’s you better mobility.
Surf: This is the most popular location for using paddleboards. It is however also the most challenging as it is the most unpredictable and requires maximum balance and strength.
Size
The size of your paddleboard will depend entirely on your weight. If you are relatively light, then a smaller size will be just fine. But if you have a heavier weight, you should look for a paddleboard that can hold your weight. You’ll want a board that can keep you balanced and afloat while in use.
It is important that you take the time to look into the paddleboard’s weight limit before you purchase it.
Cost
The last thing you need to consider before you purchase a paddleboard is the price. There are various paddleboards in the market, and some of them are more expensive than others. If you are a beginner or intermediate, you should look for a paddleboard that is within your budget but has the features you need to last as you become more advanced. There is usually a short learning curve when beginning paddle boarding, so you find you progress quite fast.
However, if you are an advanced paddler, then you may want to look for something more expensive. But even if you are more advanced, you should make sure to find the perfect balance between cost and quality. A cheaper paddleboard may not be as durable as an expensive one.
Final Thoughts
Paddleboarding is a very fun sport that you should consider experiencing. It is important to find the right paddle board for you.
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