Which is the best stand up paddle board for me?

Your budget, the amount of storage space you have and the kind of water you plan to paddle on all play a role in your decision making. After all, there’s no point buying a nimble SUP board suited to waves when you really need a stable board to glide through calm waters.

The stability of a stand up paddle board broadly depends on its width, while its agility is largely influenced by its length. Here’s a quick rundown of how this plays out with some of the most popular categories of stand up paddle boards:  

•    Surf SUP boards: these are the shortest available boards, designed to turn quickly and easily when playing the waves. They may be nimble, but they have the least glide of all the boards and fall at the lower end of the scale when it comes to stability.

•    All-round SUP boards: boards that live up to their name. As the widest boards out there, they deliver fantastic stability in the water, while their medium length means they also deliver pretty good glide and agility. 

•    Race-cruiser SUP boards: these boards are long and thin, giving excellent glide and momentum through the water. You’ll get the best speed on these boards, but their lack of width means they have less stability than other boards and their long length makes them hard to turn, particularly for beginners.

Don’t forget to check the extras that come along with your new board. We’re talking essentials like paddles, carry bags, ankle leashes and pumps.  

If you’re looking for a great beginner SUP board that’s stable and comfortable to learn on, you can’t go wrong with the inflatable Red Paddle Co 10’6 Ride board. Billed as a “Swiss Army knife board”, it suits almost all riders so it can come with you as your confidence and skills grow. The deck pad is comfy with great grip to help beat those wobbles. It also comes with a dual cylinder pump. Prices start at £869.  

If you like the idea of paddling on lakes, canals, rivers and sea, the Quroc Qi Crossover all-round board will be right up your street. This versatile inflatable SUP board can handle pretty much any water conditions you throw at it, ticking both the stability and manoeuvrability boxes. The diamond grooved deck pad is lovely on the feet and the lightweight carbon paddle cuts through the water like a dream. Prices start at £699.

Buying your own paddle board is certainly an investment, but there are some fantastic boards out there that come in around the more affordable £300 mark. Sports retailer giant Decathlon makes an excellent range of inflatable stand up paddle boards. Their ITIWIT boards are a great option for both beginners and intermediates, and come in a range of lengths and widths. Don’t forget to buy your pump and paddles separately! Prices start at a reasonable £249.99.

Stand up paddle boarding is one of our favourite family-friendly activities. Older kids can have a go on their own board, while younger kids can hitch a ride on your board once you’ve mastered the basics. The Gladiator Lite 8’ inflatable paddle board is a great starter board for kids. It’s wide enough to be stable but short enough to let them paddle without over-stretching to reach the front of the board. Prices start at £369.

If you’re looking for a board that’s large and stable enough to carry young passengers, check out the huge iRocker 11’ inflatable SUP board. Its impressive length and arrow-shaped nose means it has plenty of glide and is as stable as they come. There’s even the option to attach a seat and turn your board into a kayak. Prices start at £675.    

A race-cruiser board is the ideal choice for slightly more experienced riders who want to cover longer distances. Ideal for gliding through flat water, the Jobe Neva 12’6 inflatable board has the long length and streamlined design you need for serious paddling adventures.  Prices start at £799.

If you fancy paddle boarding on the waves, you’ll need a short, agile board that’s super strong in rough water. Many riders go for hard boards, but there are now plenty of high-performance inflatable boards to choose from. We love the Red Paddle Co 8’10 Whip inflatable board – it’s a durable little pocket rocket that’s a joy to ride. Prices start at £869.

Stand up paddle boarding is an inclusive activity at all of our beachclubs. However, there’s a few destinations that stand out as having but incredible conditions for the sport – think calm waters and spectacular coastal landscapes to explore. 

Our favourite SUP spots are Alana Beachclub in Croatia, Retreat Beachclub, Vounaki, Portomyrina Palace or Aeolian Village Beachclubs in Greece, Airone Beachclub in Italy and Baia dei Mori Beachclub in Sardinia. Happy paddling!