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Which Type of Paddleboard is the Best For You?

Posted on October 12, 2021October 12, 2021 by alexander

You may be thinking about picking up a paddleboard and you may be thinking, which is the best type for me?  Well, this is a good question.  Also, if you are asking this question, it means that you are a beginner, which is fine.

An experienced rider already knows what style of board they need or want, so they don’t have to ask this.  But we all start as beginners and the sport of stand up paddleboarding is great because it is so easy to pick up in terms of skill and therefor it is very beginner friendly.

There are two different types of paddleboards, and then there are smaller categories within the two big categories.

The first category is an inflatable paddleboard.  Inflatable SUPs were invented long after traditional SUPs.  They were originally made out of the same materials that a white water raft is manufactured from, tough and durable plastics and adhesives.

Inflatable SUPs are now the most popular style of board because they take up so much less space and are way easier to transport.  You do not need any special roof racks with an inflatable because you can just deflate the thing and compact it into your bag and throw it in the trunk of your car.  All in a matter of five minutes or so.   Also, inflatables are often, but not always, a cheaper option compared to the other style.

What is the other type of style of SUP?

That is the originals, traditional non inflatable paddleboard.  Technically, the very first stand up paddleboard were canoe shaped vessels made out of reeds that indigenous people would stand up in and use the paddle to navigate the waters.

But realistically, the first stand up paddleboards were large surfboards or longboards that a paddle was used on.  Eventually these boards were designed specifically for the SUP rider instead of just using a longboard.  These first few years of SUP were on boards that were made in the traditional style of surfboards which means they had a foam core and were then wrapped in layers of fiberglass to strengthen the board and to make it hard.

You can read more about the history of the sport here.

Traditional SUP boards work better in the water for maneuverability, they are more responsive and faster also.  The major drawback of these boards is that they are (generally) more expensive than inflatables and they are also WAY harder to transport.

An average size paddlboard may be up to 12 feet long and almost 3 feet wide.  An object like this is not easy to carry and if you want to take it on a trip to the beach, you need to buy specific roof rack equipment to strap it to the roof of your car.  And even then it’s kind of sketchy because the large surface area of the board acts like a sail in the wind.

So basically, in the water a traditional non inflatable paddleboard is more fun and just better to use.  But when you factor in everything else, it’s usually a better idea to buy an inflatable SUP.

And the sales numbers bear this out as well with inflatables outselling hardboards 10 to 1.  It’s not saying that one is necessarily better than the other for beginners.  It’s just saying that the market, by far, prefers inflatables.  And that is fine.  Either one is ok.  Whichever is best for you and gets you active and out on the water is the best one.

Ok so let’s go over some of the reasons why inflatables are a really good choice for beginners.  The first reason is price.  You can get a cheap inflatable SUP for as low as $300 dollars.  Now remember, like anything else you pay for what you get.  A lot of cheap SUP will get the job done, but they won’t last long.  If you get a $300 inflatable SUP and it only lasts you one summer or one year, well do not be shocked.

While $300 is a very beginner friendly price point, you can pick up better quality inflatables for $600 that can last several seasons, and some high end inflatables, like the Red brand are often $1,000 or more.  For an inflatable!  That’s a lot.  I’m not saying that they are not worth it, I’m just saying that they are like the Porsche of stand up paddleboards.  Porsche makes great cars but they are not cheap.

Aside from the budget, inflatables are just easy.  Ok not everything is easy about inflatables.  Depending on which board you get and the pump that comes with it, pumping up an inflatable can be a real pain in the ass and often an entire workout in its own right.  And deflating a SUP and placing everything back in the bag can be annoying and get everything sandy and dirty.  But this comes with the territory.

Non inflatable SUPs on the other hand win in these categories.  There is nothing to pump up or put together, you just grab your board and go.

ISUPs are also very forgiving.

As a beginner you often don’t have full control over yourself or your board.  This can lead to two bad situations.  The first is that you can bump into something you didn’t mean to and cause damage.  You can hit another paddler, a boat dock, or a boat.  But if you are on an inflatable, no damage can occur because it’s a soft surface and will give if it comes in contact with a hard surface like a boat.  Whereas with a hardboard, it is possible to slightly damage a boat.

And when it comes to falling, inflatables are also a better choice.  Why?  Think about it.  If you are falling, would you rather land on a firm surface?  Or a soft surface that is like the side of a whitewater raft that is designed to give way if it encounters something firm like a rock or a boulder?  Well you’d prefer the soft surface of course.

Ultimately, the best paddleboard is the one that you like the most.  The best SUP is one that gets you off your couch and outside and on the water.

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A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Right Stand Up Paddleboard

A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Right Stand Up Paddleboard

Posted on September 9, 2021September 11, 2021 by alexander

Choosing the right stand-up paddleboard can be a daunting task, with a seemingly endless number of options to choose from. With so many different brands and models on the market, it is hard to know where to start. In this guide, we will take you through all of the things that you need to think about when choosing your stand-up paddleboard. You’ll learn what features are most important for stand-up paddlers, how much money you should spend on your board, and what makes one stand-up paddleboard better than another.

Size of Your Paddleboard

The most important thing to consider when buying your first SUP board is its size. Make sure to choose the right-sized stand-up paddleboard according to where you plan on using it (rivers vs open ocean) and how tall/heavy you are so that it fits well with your body type and paddling abilities. Beginners should avoid shortboards because they will be harder to balance upon.

If you’re a small person and will be using your stand-up paddleboard for surfing, then opt for an ultra-thin board that is designed to glide across the water like a surfboard. If you plan on paddling in open waters but don’t have any experience with SUP’s, choose a wider board so it can handle choppy waters better when being pushed by larger waves from a passing boat.

Materials used to build stand-up paddleboards.

There are a variety of stand-up paddleboards on the market today, but they can be categorized into two main types: inflatable and rigid.

Inflatable stand-up paddleboards have become a popular choice because they’re easy to transport and store at home or in your car’s trunk. The drawback is that they tend not to perform as well if you plan on using it for surfing or paddling larger lakes/oceans with stronger winds.

Rigid stand-up paddleboards consist of either a solid piece of wood or a composite of fiberglass and resin. Wood stand-up paddleboards are heavier but they’re much more durable in choppy waters, while fiberglass/resin boards tend to be lighter and easier to maneuver – especially if you plan on paddling rivers with swift currents.

Choosing the right stand-up paddleboard isn’t that difficult, decide where you want to use it along with your size.  You can talk with a sales rep at your local sporting goods store to help you choose the right board.   Take the time to find the right board for you and you will love paddleboarding. 

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About the New Gatewood

Posted on September 4, 2021 by alexander

Boaters and sport fisherman visiting Gatewood have an opportunity to tour one of the most beautiful bodies of water in the region and test their angling skills on the challenging game fish that roam the 162 acre reservoir.

With 22 miles of shoreline and water depths ranging to 50 feet, Gatewood is ideal for the growth of many trophy size largemouth bass, along with a good number of crappie, catfish, bluegill, muskie, and smallmouth bass. The park staff will weigh and measure any catch to determine if it qualifies for a Washington Game Commission Citation. Because the reservoir is a source of water supply for citizens of the Town of Omaha, no boats with petroleum motors are allowed.

Paddleboats and fishing boats with electric motors are available for rent and private boats with only electric motors may be launched. Equipment, fishing supplies, and some grocery items are available at the park store.

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