Inland SUP Board advice: Epoxy, Plastic, Inflatable, or...??

[cojay]

I apologize in advance if this topic has been hashed out to death, but I couldn't find it in a search.

I'm completely new to SUP. I'm a former surfer, now landlocked in Colorado, and recently became somewhat obsessed with SUP, although I just tried it for the first time last weekend.

I'm short - 5'6, 135lbs, which was great for surfing, but probably doesn't matter for SUP. I'll mostly be paddling around lakes and maybe class I-II sections of rivers, no hardcore rapids (at least on purpose). I don't plan on surfing it either, since the ocean is a little far, and I'd rather rent or bring a surfboard for surfing anyway. As much fun as surfing standing waves sounds, there aren't many options nearby Denver.

I also want to be able to throw my little girls on the board and take them for cruises around the lake, or go fishing, and get some decent speed out on a lake for fun.

My dilemna is what type of board to buy - i.e, epoxy, inflatable, plastic 'kayak-like', or some other shape/material I'm not yet aware of. Also curious about shapes. Although the standard long-board shape appeals to me aesthetically, it seems like a novelty for a lake, and probably not as effective as something designed for that type of use, particularly when zero surfing will be happening. I have pretty good balance already from surfing, so I don't need it massively wide.

I'm wondering if there is any good logic to using an epoxy or foam/fiberglass type of board for a lake/river? Will I ding the heck out of it first time down a class II? Will the inflatables be as squishy/disappointing as I imagine they'd be? I'd like the Imagine plastic boards if they were just simpler & narrower and without so many gadgets. I prefer the idea of just a clean board. Also not sure about the weight on those. I like the price, though.

Since there aren't many shops around Denver, I'm guessing I'll have order something sight unseen, so this could be a challenge.

I should add - price is definitely a factor. I'm willing to sacrifice a little in 'perfection' for something cheaper... given that this is my first board.

Suggestions?

[Dwight (DW)]

Epoxy will ding and get water logged.

BIC makes some plastic skinned SUPs that retail for something like $700. They might work.

Naish has a softop 10 x 32 Mana. It looks like a super duty boogie board. That would be ding proof.

C4 made a nice boogie board like 10 footer too. Lots of those around here in the rental fleet still going strong. I thought I heard they stopped making them.

[808]

Check out Imagine. They have a line of plastic sups that look really nice so they would not ding like an epoxy board. Give them a call or check them out online.

[andygere]

An Uli inflatable will not be squishy and disappointing.  They are quite rigid, bombproof and fun in the surf.

[cojay]

Thanks for the suggestions!

I realized the BIC boards are carried by REI, so they may actually have some here I can check out. Hopefully they'll have the Body Glove versions of the Imagine boards, too, so I can see those in person.

Thanks again... and keep 'em coming, I may not make a purchase yet this summer, so I've got time (if I can restrain myself)

[cojay]

I actually just discovered this one today. This might just be perfect for me.

The Hovie Scout



It has the displacement style nose, its longer and narrower, has built-in fishing pole holders & cargo nets, and its fairly simple & clean. Also fairly cheap at $695. Just wish it wasn't that kayak yellow, but that's just aesthetics.

Its a plastic SUP like the Imagine boards, so if I dare to charge a river at some point, I don't need to worry about a bunch of ding repair.

Has anyone seen these yet? Looks like they just came out (or are coming out). The Hovie Nomad looks even better, but I'm not willing to shell out for something like that just yet.

I'm way too excited given that I probably won't be actually buying one until early next year...