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Now you have the bug for paddle boarding, you need to get your own gear. It can be overwhelming when you first start looking for your first paddle board. But with the correct guidance you will be well on your way to finding the perfect beginner paddle board.
As paddle boarding is getting more and more popular, there is more and more choice on gear.
So if you are asking yourself: what are the best paddle boards for beginners?; what key features should I look out for?; or are inflatable paddle boards good for beginners?; then read on.
Our top pick best paddle board for beginners is the GILI Air Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board. The wide and round nose of this SUP makes it a perfect choice for beginners to practice their skills and find their balance.
Searching for the best paddle boards for beginners is made simple when you know what you are looking for.
If you have ever tried paddle boarding before, then you may have noticed your SUP board was very wide and stable as you clambered onto the deck. Generally speaking, entry level boards are wider and slower but this helps you out when you are still learning. As you develop your skills and become a more advanced paddler, you can then experiment with different sizes and shapes of board.
For your first paddle board, you should be looking at a general style of an all-around paddle board. Keep in mind to check these key board features for your entry level SUP:
Let’s take a look into each of these and mention how these features can affect your search in finding the best beginner SUP.
Stability is key. Feeling stable and balanced is the main priority to getting up and standing on a paddle board. This comes from your core strength as well as the size and shape of your board.
By ensuring your board is nice and stable we promise that you will get on board and have an easy and pleasurable ride.
Size does matter. Beginner paddlers generally need a bigger and wider board to help with the stability. However, remember as the board gets wider it does get more difficult to maneuver.
Every SUP has a weight capacity that is determined by the board’s size, meaning there is leeway to consider depending on the rider's height and weight. For more information, check out our SUP Size & Weight Chart.
The main factors used to measure a paddle board are:
There are a whole array of paddle board sizes out there, but these are the most ideal dimensions for the best beginner paddle board:
It is important to remember that these dimensions are a general guide. Remember, you can’t be too light for a SUP! It’s much better to be too light for a board than too heavy.
The volume is a good guidance on buoyancy. The higher the volume in liters means a higher weight capacity. Generally, the more volume a board has the more stable it will be on the water. When choosing the right stand up paddle board for you, volume should be the first measurement you consider.
Volume is calculated by the paddle board’s length, width, and thickness. All of our boards at GILI have the volume listed for you.
Pro Advice: To calculate the ideal weight capacity for you, include your weight plus any additional weight you’ll be carrying. We suggest adding 10 or 15 lbs to that number - just in case, this will cover any gear you choose to take with you. Choose a board for the weight you are now - even if you plan on losing weight in the future.
We always recommend an all-around style shape for beginner paddle boards. This offers a nice wide deck, a well-rounded nose, and plenty of length to get a feel for paddle boarding.
These beginner friendly SUP’s will have you gliding over the water gracefully and easily in no time, no matter what the conditions are.
As you begin to advance your skills you will then be able to experiment more with the different shapes available depending on what activity/style of paddle boarding you choose to do. Hull shaping will begin to come in question, either planing or displacement hull. Beginners should be aiming for a planing hull shape.
Read more: How to Choose the Perfect SUP for you
There are three types of constructions to paddle boards, all suitable for beginners in their own way. Deciding which to go for weighs on your lifestyle and what you want to get out of your new stand up paddle board.
Soft tops suit those who…
However, soft tops are very limiting and slow to handle on the water which will put a hold on your improvement.
Inflatables suit those who…
Epoxy (hardboards) suit those who…
Getting yourself set up to hit the water and start to paddle does cost money. You need to determine your budget and decide how much you can afford.
All of our inflatable boards are in a mid-range price bracket which is both affordable and gives great quality.
A general rule of thumb for people buying their first ever paddle board is to not spend too much money on them. Chances are you are going to knock into things in the water, or more likely while you are preparing your gear beforehand. An entry level board at the mid-range price bracket will give you exactly what you need in performance and won’t break the bank.
Most paddlers often look for a paddle board that is versatile. This is so you can go from cruising across a lake to riding the waves in the ocean. Versatility will be your best friend as your skills progress and you become a more competent rider.
Most all-around paddle boards will have a degree of versatility to get you started. Once you have experienced different activities with your new paddle board, then you will be able to look at specialising your board even more.
A good versatile board will take you over lakes with a fishing rod or space to stretch into some yoga, while also allowing you to catch some waves and share some stoke with your best friend and paddle board with your dog.
Fins are a crucial element to your SUP. They give you the tracking and help with steering of your vessel, while also affecting the speed of your paddling. Stand up paddle boards generally have one center fin and two smaller side fins to aid in stability.
Normally for simple cruising, you can get by quite comfortably with just a single fin in place. For longer tours or more choppy waters on the ocean, a thruster or even quad set-up is advised to give you something extra to cut through the waters.
Nearly all SUP fins are removable. The key thing here is knowing which type of fin box to go for: Snap-in boxes or US fin boxes.
As the name suggests, Snap-in boxes are quick and easy to use with no tools required. This is super convenient and appealing to beginner paddlers. Whereas the US fin boxes are more versatile and allow you to use a wider range of fins, but they do require a tool to use.
All of the GILI Sports stand up paddle boards are suitable for beginners to start their paddle boarding adventures off on the right stroke.
Each board is 6 inches thick to give you a great platform out of the water, with high quality materials making them a solid SUP option for beginners. They also all include an easy carry handle feature to help you get the board from land to water.
Check out our range of inflatable SUP boards that make paddle boarding accessible for everyone.
The Air 10’6 iSUP paddle board performs well in all water conditions with its generously wide deck and rounded nose. It is our most highly rated all-around paddle board that offers versatility, durability and fantastic performance. This is one of the best beginner boards available on the market.
Dimensions:10’6 x 31” x 6” (225L)
Paddlers of any skill level can enjoy this board from calm flatwater paddling to mild ocean chop. Make use of the 6” thickness lifting the board above the water level and the full length EVA deck pad, perfect for stretching out in downward facing dog and other yoga poses.
This SUP feels like a hard board under your feet and on the water when fully inflated. The military strength PVC is durable so you won’t have to worry about scratches, dents, dings, drops or rocks. This board can handle it all. Front and center grab handles for portability and rear D-Ring makes attaching a leash simple.
Looking for something that is wide but does not compromise the performance? Look no further than the GILI Meno Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board. This SUP will take you from a complete beginner, all the way to being a competent paddler enjoying all the activities, including fishing, touring, yoga, and more.
Dimensions:10’6 x 35” x 6” (245L) OR 11’6 x 35” x 6” (270L)
Both sizes offer a wide stance for maximum stability, but the pointed nose and shape of the board allows you to glide effortlessly over the water. The Meno series knocks performance up a notch with its rigid carbon fiber rails and a versatile US Fin box with a 5 piece fin kit: a 9” Center Fin, a 4.5” Speed fin, a 3” River Fin, and two removable side fins.
These boards can comfortably support up to 450lbs. So once you’ve got the basics down, you will be able to bring your family along for an adventure and share the experience. You can also make full use of the oversized bungees on both the nose and tail to securely carry all your gear on your wild journeys.
Versatility, stability, and a great all rounder. The GILI Komodo offers great performance for all water conditions. It is designed to carry multiple riders, pets, yoga enthusiasts, and all-around paddle board lovers.
Dimensions:10’6 x 33” x 6” (225L)
This board features both a wide stance and a pointed nose so you won’t be losing any speed when paddling this board. All the bungee cords are fully removable that allows you to make full use of the full-length deck pad.
Beginners will have no problem riding this inflatable board, mastering the basics, and then taking it to cover all other areas of paddling. The Komodo is a great example of our hybrid board design to cover all bases. It is also made with our Triple Layer Fusion Technology. This is the strongest SUP material on the market, and it's 20% lighter than other dual-layer constructed SUPs.
As a beginner, this inflatable paddle board will take you through the basics and have you exploring hard to reach spots in no time. This is the ultimate expedition iSUP designed with utility, touring, and performance all in mind. The 32” wide deck gives beginners loads of room to find their balance.
Dimensions:11’ x 32” x 6” (238L) OR 12’ x 32” x 6” (272L)
The Adventure series is the fastest of all the GILI iSUPs going. The streamline design cuts through the water easily and efficiently. And with the pointed nose and increased rocker you also get an enhanced performance in all water conditions. The three-fin setup assists in tracking and gives you even tighter turns with an increase in balance.
Created with our advanced, dual-layer Fusion Technology, the PVC is the strongest and lightest iSUP material available. Both the 11’ and the 12’ Adventure retain their strength, durability, and rigidity while also being extremely lightweight. You won’t need to worry about rocks, trees, or other hard surfaces with the Adventure’s military grade PVC outer skin.
Now you have a rough idea of what you need to look out for, you can begin to think about what type of paddle board you need.
You can find some boards that tick a lot of boxes, while others are more specifically designed for a single purpose. Don’t worry and get overwhelmed! We’ll tell you all you need to know about the different types of stand up paddle boards and which are great for beginners.
When you begin browsing for stand up paddle boards you may notice the amount of variety that is available. There are all-around boards, hybrids’, touring and racers, surf SUPs, and more.
All-Around Paddle Boards are hands down the best type of SUP for a beginner. They are shaped with a wide nose, stable deck, and forgiving rails that are not overly sensitive to mistakes. These boards are designed with beginners in mind and allow the paddler to experience most avenues of paddle boarding.
Hybrid Paddle Boards are also suitable for beginner paddlers. If you have been able to get to grips with the basics beforehand, then this is possibly a good option for you. A Hybrid board will see you through most activities and allow you to progress your technique. You will be able to try out riding the waves but also enjoy cruising on flat water lakes.
Touring and Racing Paddle Boards are not suitable for beginners. These boards are narrow and are shaped to cut through the water efficiently with an expert level of technique. Beginners will struggle on these more specialized boards and risk falling into the water instead of progressing with the basics.
Ok, now you know what type of board you should be looking for. How do you figure out what size paddle board you need?
The best beginner paddle board provides stability and is proportional to the rider. You must consider your weight along with the board’s length, width, and volume.
Volume is the float capacity based on the board’s dimensions. A higher volume means more float, which results in higher weight capacity.
It’s important to remember that you can never be too light for a SUP, but you can be too heavy.
The recommended paddle board size for beginners is:
Read more: What Size Paddle Board Do I Need?
Here at GILI Sports we believe that decent inflatable paddle boards are ideal for beginners. When fully inflated, these boards are just as rigid and solid as any hardboard under foot. They also sit much higher out of the water making it significantly easier to paddle in any conditions.
Still need a bit more convincing? Here are some benefits of an iSUP over a hard board that should sway your mind:
When you are shopping for your first paddle board it is ideal if you can find a bundle package to include all the gear you need to hit the water.
All GILI boards come with the essentials included:
Once you’ve got your paddle board there will be no stopping you from hitting the water and beginning your new passion hobby. Before you grab your SUP and start paddling, take in a few of these basic paddle boarding tips to help get you going in the right direction.
All of the GILI inflatable paddle boards come as a bundle with everything you need to hit the water straight away. Along with the stand up paddle board, you need a few other pieces of kit to be able to get paddling off into the sunset:
Once you’ve got the gear ready to go, with the best paddle board for a beginner, then you can’t be stopped from gliding over the water's surface leaving all stress behind you.
Having a coiled ankle leash is crucial for your safety and the safety of those around you in the water. The GILI 8’ Paddle Board Coiled Ankle Leash is a perfect example of what you need for the best beginner setup.
The coil is important to keep the leash from tangling under your feet but still giving you space if you do wipeout in the waves, allowing your board to safely stay close without hitting you.
Fins’ are needed to give you steering and tracking while in the water. The GILI Snap In Center Fin is a great entry level fin to fit paddle boards for beginners.
When you begin to progress your paddling you can begin to experiment with the center fin, possibly trying out a 9” Touring Race Fin or other varieties.
The best paddle for beginners is an adjustable length paddle. This means you can try different lengths to find what works best for you, and even share your paddle with friends or family.
Our GILI Paddle Collection offers a range of materials and shapes to suit every paddler no matter their experience. However, we do recommend the GILI Aluminum 3 Piece Adjustable Paddle for beginners to start off with. An aluminum paddle is lightweight and easy to handle as a beginner without being too expensive in case of any damage.
If you do choose to go with an inflatable SUP then you will definitely need a paddle board pump to inflate and deflate your board. Choose between a dual action, a triple action, or even an electric pump to save your arm power for paddling
Again, if you do go for an inflatable paddle board then you will be wanting to kit yourself out with a SUP backpack. Both options available from GILI Sports have enough room to store your paddle board, paddle, pump, fin, leash, and wet gear in various storage compartments throughout the bag.
So there you have it. Now you have all the information on what are the best paddle boards for beginners. What are you waiting for? Grab yourself some of the best gear available and get out there. We can’t wait for you to discover the world of paddle boarding and share our passion for paddling.
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