Summer: lounging in your favorite pool floats, filling your cooler up with your go-to beverages for a beach day, enjoying some music on your portable speaker, maybe even some fishing — the options are endless.
While there are plenty of fun outdoor activities to get in a quick workout in the summer months — biking, walking, running, rollerblading, yoga — if you’ve ever considered stand-up paddleboarding (also called SUP for those in the know), this may be the summer to try it out.
Before investing in an ultra-expensive hardboard, we recommend you first check out the plethora of inflatable options on the market. These tend to be a bit more cost-effective and much easier to store. Plus, most of the picks we listed below include all the tools and accessories you’ll need for a successful time out on the water.
Speaking of recommendations, we also connected with an expert of all things paddleboarding, Gina Bradley. She is the founder of Paddle Diva out in the Hamptons and now nationwide, as well as author of “Paddle Diva: The Ten Guiding Principles of Finding Balance on The Water and In Life.”
We spoke with her about the best paddle boards for beginners, experts and even the budget-boarder, as well as tips and tricks for how to pick the right board and other equipment you need to get out on the water.
Read below for the recommendations and then a Q&A with Bradley.
The best paddle boards of 2023
Expert pick for beginners: POP Paddleboards Royal Hawaiian Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboard, $800
Start your paddle board journey with a pop. This colorful board comes in mint green and pink, with a floral patter on the boarder.
“I love this colorful, fun, well made brand called POP,” said Bradley, who also sells these at Paddle Diva. “We have these boards in a variety of shapes from 10’-12’. We love that they come with a roller bag that is also a back pack, the lease, a good paddle, a decent hand pump and a fin.”
Expert pick for intermediate: Hala Gear Carbon Straight Up Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board, $1,299
For those that have a few paddles under their belt and ready to upgrade, our expert recommends Hala Gear as a great brand to try.
“I like Hala Gear’s board’s as they are one step up in quality. They have perfected the design of an inflatable board that feels more rigid because they have inserts along the rails (the side of the board) that make it feel stiffer when paddling. This brand has the full array of sizes and shapes for all levels!”
Expert pick for experts: Red-equipment 12’6″ Sport MSL Inflatable Paddle Board Anniversary, $1,699
Ready to race? For a speedy and slim board, this more rigid option is still inflatable but a bit more aerodynamic in the water.
“Red Paddle was one of the first inflatable boards companies in the market that made inflated ‘race boards’. A racing SUP is different from the recreational ones discussed above as the are longer, narrower and move faster in the water. There are two sizes on can find a SUP Race Board: 12’6” and 14”. The sizes in the width vary for each paddler’s specifications.”
Expert pick for a budget board: Retrospec Weekender 10′ Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard, $200, original price: $350
Balling on a budget? For those that want to get out on the water but don’t want to spend more than $500, our expert recommends this board from Amazon, which also happens to be on sale for just $200.
Other New York Post picks:
Isle Pioneer Inflatable Paddle Board, $595, original price: $795
Sail through the isles or just around your local lake with the Pioneer 2.0. The Isle brand board is a bestseller, with a five-out-of-five star rating and more than 1,400 reviews. This board comes with a centering fin, travel bag, hand pump, leash and a travel paddle and it is now on sale, too.
Body Glove Alena 10’6″ Inflatable Paddle Board, $499, original price: $999
This paddle board fits like a glove. Body Glove is a popular brand for paddle boarders, as it inflates in just five minutes and also comes with a backpack for traveling to your local river or lake.
SereneLife Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard, $273, original price: $370
With more than 21,000 raving Amazon reviews, this model is extra wide — measuring 10 feet 6 inches long and 32 inches wide, making balance and stabilization a breeze for beginners and beyond. Plus, the inflatable board features a slip-resistant soft top that cushions your fall when slips or accidents occur and comes with accessories, including a coiled ankle cuff safety leash, an aluminum paddle, a manual air pump and a storage bag.
Bluefin Cruise Stand Up Inflatable Paddleboard, $510, original price: $600
This Bluefin 10-foot 8-inch model is another excellent option currently on sale for $509 that comes with all the necessary accessories.
The best part? Bluefin uses recycled materials in its manufacturing processes and plants a tree for every purchase, helping give back to our planet’s natural resources.
BOTE Wulf Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board Paddle, $499, original price: $530
At 10 feet 6 4 inches tall, the Bote Wulf only weighs 20 pounds and is the perfect vessel for those looking to get into stand-up paddleboarding. It comes with a three-piece adjustable SUP paddle, a removable 10-inch center fin, Aero repair kit, hand pump and a travel bag.
iRocker Nautical Kids Inflatable Paddle Board, $370, original price: $450
Let your kids come and paddle too with a board that fits their smaller size. The iRocker site lists this Nautical one as a bestseller, with four bright and fun colors to choose from, a pump, stash pocket, removable fins and a paddle.
What is stand up paddle boarding?
If you’ve been wanting to get in on the trendy and fun sport, now is the time to stand up. Stand up paddle boarding, or SUP, is a water activity in which you paddle out and then stand on a surfboard-like device. According to our expert, it is also an amazing workout, with traditional Hawaiian origins.
“[It’s] one of the best sports around for working your core muscles, upper body and legs. It’s an ancient form of transportation from the Hawaiian Islands, and has reemerged as a way for people to enjoy oceans, lakes, rivers and bays while getting a full-body workout.,” said Bradley. “You literally stand or kneel on a paddle board and use a paddle to propel yourself and the board through the water.”
SUP is also as fun as it is good for you, and pretty easy to pick up. She recommends taking a formal lesson first, just to be sure you have the proper form and knowledge of wind, current and other boating rules out on the water.
“Everybody can learn how to SUP — young and old, from the most athletic to the least. Using a one-bladed paddle while standing on a longer, wider board (with a bit more volume than a typical surfboard) you can be paddling and cruising along with about an hour of instruction,” said Bradley.
What is the difference between inflatable and rigid paddle boards?
The difference is really in the name, with a rigid paddle board being made of a stiff material that isn’t inflated with air. The latter is inflatable, making it easier to store and pack, plus lighter to carry.
“A rigid paddle board is made of fiberglass and epoxy. It is stiffer, moves faster in the water and is more responsive with maneuvers like turning, steering or stopping than an inflatable one,” explained Bradley. “Inflatable paddle boards are made of layers of PVC bound by adhesives and the rubber-like materials are stitched around an air chamber that is inflated for use and deflated for storage. When deflated and rolled up an inflatable SUP is about the same size as a medium suitcase.”
How to choose a paddle board and get started
You’re almost ready to paddle! First, we have some more tips and tricks for how to choose a board, plus other things to know for when you head out this spring and summer.
Electric vs. handheld pump: “When purchasing an inflatable board, keep in mind that you will need to be ready to inflate it when you want to use it and we recommend buying an electric pump, that makes the task of inflation easy.”
Brand name may be better: “Look for a quality brand name board and don’t go for the cheapest one on Amazon.com, as quality comes with a reputable brand. If boards are not made well they can over inflate and pop, or deteriorate quickly if left in the sun too long.”
Store your board correctly: “Inflatable boards always need to be rinsed with fresh water after each use and stored in a cool dark place.”
Protect your board from the sun: “Never leave a fully inflated board in the sun, as the heat will make the air inside expand and the board may explode or the seams will leak and come unglued due to the over pressurization.”
Bring your life jacket along: “It is required by the US Coast Guard to wear a Personal Floatation Device also called a PFD. So when buying a board, make sure you purchase a Coast Guard approved life jacket or inflatable belt.”
Take a lesson first: “All of this information is useful only if lessons or instruction are accompanied by first time paddlers! There are things like wind, current and boating rules that do have an impact on this sports’ enjoyment factor. We find that the biggest adoption rate with this sport comes when individuals take at least one lesson and then they fall in love with the sport.”
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