How to Choose a Paddle Board - Get the Experience of Both Kayaking and Surfing

Paddle boarding is a quite popular water sport. Things that need to take into account when it comes purchasing a paddle board is its size, shape, type and its paddle price learn more
Paddle board usually refers to stand-up paddle board. SUP is an acronym of stand up board. Water sports of this type are getting popular quickly. One reason for which it attracts people's attention is this sport is a combination of surfing and kayaking. While water sport enthusiasts greatly enjoy both kayaking and surfing, it is quite inevitable that they will also love SUP since taking part in this sport means killing two birds with one shot. Before analyzing different buying considerations, let us know the different types of paddle boards out there.

 

Different types of paddle boards
Since different types of paddle boards are available in the market, knowing their differences will help you to choose a model that you think is perfect for you. Below we have discussed 4 common types of stand up paddle boards that manufacturers are selling online or watersport outlets.


All around paddle boards
Features

• Ideal for beginner or first-time paddlers
• Offers versatile performance that is suitable for choppy or fat water
• The most prevailing design of paddle boards
• Family-friendly that also lets you share the paddle boarding experience with your dog

Surfing paddle boards
Features

• Ideal for intermediate or advanced paddlers
• The surfers who enjoy the thrilling experience of ocean wave surfing
• Paddlers are less stable on the board
• Quite maneuverable on ocean waves
• Both paddle and surfboards are oversized

Touring paddle boards
Features

• A great choice for water sports-loving people who want to get workout benefits from a recreational activity.
• Suitable for paddling in flat water like lakes, bays, or in the open ocean.
• Designed for effortless glide and maximum efficiency
• Broad and stable making it suitable for beginner paddlers

Racing paddle boards
Features

• Constructed for flatwater racing events
• Thanks to the extra width and length design of the paddle board, the peddlers can generate extra speed with the board.
• A bit challenging for beginner paddlers but ideal for recreational or elite racers.

Fishing paddle boards
Features

• Suitable for anglers who don’t have a good investment to buy a fishing kayak
• This model is the most spacious model that peddling on it keep you dry
• Allow you to include fishing gear like a fish finder, fish holder, and rod holder with the paddle board to make it a sophisticated fishing vessel.

Yoga paddle boards
Features 

• This paddle board is constructed for people who love yoga or any fitness enthusiasts.
• Suitable for paddling on calm water
• Extensive deck pad giving enough space for practicing yoga

Let us now discuss a few important buying factors. These are the factors that must be taken into account while purchasing a paddle board.

BRAND SELECTION
Needless to say that there is no shortage of brands in the paddle board market. Usually, each brand is specialized in one particular type of paddle board manufacturing. So, to narrow down your search, the first thing you will need to do is determine what type of paddle board you want to paddle. Then, find what brands manufacture that type of paddle board. This sorting technique will minimize your quest for finding a perfect model paddle board.

Your budget
If your budget is limited, don’t worry. You can get a quality paddle board even with a thrifty budget. This is possible since many paddleboarders have a tendency of selling their fully functional paddle board so that they can purchase the newest model. Don’t hesitate to purchase a used but well-maintained paddle board from Costco or Amazon.

Board shape and size
One general rule is larger paddlers paddle larger paddle boards. But, doesn’t mean that large paddle boards are only accessible to people with big size. Depending on skill, regardless of his or her physical structure, one can paddle any size or shape of paddle board. Below are a few things that explain how board shape and size affect your performance.

• Longer boards offer more glide than their shorter counterparts
• Narrower boards are faster than wider boards
• Wider boards, on the other hand, are more stable than narrower boards
• Boards that come with the narrow tail are easy to maneuver during surfing
• Thicker boards provide good reinforcement, unlike their thinner counterparts.
• However, thinner boards are nicely stable unless you subject it to carry it extra weight

PADDLES
Here is a general rule that experienced paddlers follow when it is about paddle for their paddle board. And, that general rule is they choose a paddle that’s price is 20% of the paddle board. So, if you purchase a paddle board with $1000 dollars, your paddle’s cost should not exceed $200. Similarly, if you go for an expensive model like purchasing a paddle board of $2500, you will also need to purchase an expensive paddle with an expensive price tag like more than $500.

Solid or inflatable paddle board
Your last buying factor to consider is choosing a solid or inflatable paddle. Each type comes with distinct features. To make the comparison short, keep in mind that solid boards are lightweight, durable, and affordable while inflatable boards are quite rigid when fully inflated and quite portable.

How to Choose a Kayak Paddle

After selecting the best kayak, the paddle has a huge impact on your performance on the water. Selecting the right size of paddle is more of an art. A proper paddle can make the difference in every stroke.
To choose a kayak paddle, you have to consider a few things. What are they? Take a look.

How to Choose a Kayak Paddle: 10 Things to Consider

 

1.      Durability and material
Shaft Material: Among various materials, we recommend you to choose the aluminum. As the plastic shafts became rare, the aluminum shafts are budget friendly, serviceable, and durable.
One more thing, we suggest you to glove-up because these shafts can get really hot or cold.
Carbon and fiberglass shafts are also durable. Paddlers adore them for their lightweight. These can be your efficient paddle option. The price is also worth it.

Blade material: Plastic blades are often chosen by the recreational paddlers as they are low-price leader. These are creakable and degrade in the sun. Plastic blades are flexible but not stroke-efficient.
Fiberglass blades are excellent in performance and middle in the price range. More durable and lightweight than plastic.
Carbon-fiber blades: If you want top performance, you can pay top dollar for carbon-fiber.

2.      Paddle length and sizing for different kayak
Its surprisingly straightforward to figure out the right length of paddle. Your paddle need to be long according to your boat’s width. Your own height is another factor, if you have a narrow boat. Long ones are for taller paddlers.
So paddles are made considering these two factors. If you fall between two sizes, we recommend you to to go shorter.

3.      Paddle shape
Modern paddle blades feature an asymmetrical dihedral shape. It is relatively narrow ans shorter one side. That helps it angle so that the surface area become more uniform when pushing though water.
Dihedral blade allows water to flow over both halves of it smoothly. As a result, it’s not very difficult to track straight.
Because of being lighter, narrow blades gives comfort in long stretches of paddling. Helpful for a long or multiday trip.
Wider blades provide powerful strokes that make your acceleration quicker. Most kayak riders prefer them for this feature.
Some of the specialized blades feature J-shaped notch for retrieving snared fishing lines and hooks.

4.      Paddling category
Low-angle: low-angle paddling is the another name of relaxed paddling. It’s ideal for casual recreational paddling and touring. It will not tire you although it’s not powerfull enough. Low angle paddling demands a longer paddle.
Low angle is the most common style. Most paddlers use this as this is comfortable.

High-angle: this is a more aggrasive paddling style for generating more powerful strokes. It demands a shorter paddle.
Subtract 10cm from your paddle if you want high-angle paddling.

5.      Seat height
Sit-on-top kayaks contains seats that sit little higher above the water level. This is common fact for fishing kayaks that have both high and low sitting conditions.
If you want to paddle sitting high, consider adding 8-10cm to compromise the distance from the water.

6.      Shaft design
Two types of shaft- straight shaft and bent shaft. The bent shaft paddles feature a “kinked” section that positions your hand s in more comfortable position during the power portion of a stroke, prevents fatigue and discomfort in your joints.
I recommend you to adjust your stroke technique if you’re switching from a straight shaft to a bent shaft.

7.      Blade design
It is quite complex to suggest about blade shapes. It can be simplified by depending on where you paddle.
For cruising on lakes or other flat water, long and skinny blades are the best.
Choose shorter and wider blades for surfing in river or shallow water.

8.      Weight
The weight of a paddle should be lighter that means less fatigue in your joints in a long day canoeing. Not only weight, but also consider the strength and flexibility before shopping.
In the case of flat water canoeing, a flexible paddle can help to absorb shock with each stroke.

9.      Performance
We suggest you to find high-tech paddles if you want the latest in paddling innovation. Lightweight performance paddles are manufactured to help reduce fatigue, swing weight so that you can concentrate on the adventure ahead.

10. Budget
After all these facts, budget is another core factor choosing a paddle. You may have to pay about $150 on average if you want to buy fiberglass models.
If you want to spend money on lightweight carbon paddles, you may have to cost among $275 and $500. We recommend you to select a lightweight paddle.

 

Conclusion

That’s all the factors to how to choose a kayak paddle. Consider these factors if you want the best paddle for your kayak.

You can visit this site for more help (kayakfisherly.com). Feel free to take advice from the experts. Happy paddling!