Author Topic: Best inflatable SUP for beginners?  (Read 8868 times)

Sakutama

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Best inflatable SUP for beginners?
« on: July 30, 2015, 09:20:26 PM »
Hi again!

What do you recommend as the best inflatable SUP for a beginner? Because of my situation, portability and compact storage is a must. I'll likely have to bring it on the train to get somewhere were I can ride it.

Thank you!

2Rivers

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Re: Best inflatable SUP for beginners?
« Reply #1 on: July 31, 2015, 01:31:26 PM »
There are over 100 manufacturers offering inflatable SUPs. The better performing ones are usually the ones that can be pumped up to higher pressures (20psi+) and/or have stiffening batons. Some other brands make their boards in a 6" thickness (vs 4") to increase the stiffness/performance to compensate for their lower pressure.

Since the learning curve for SUP is generally quick, for a beginner I recommend to identify where they intend to use the board 80%+ of the time. I see a lot of beginners that purchase a "recreational" board and quickly find out it's not sufficient or conducive to the environment they're paddling in. When I was new to paddling I knew that being far from the ocean (2hours+), that lakes and slow moving rivers were going to be my best (most common) option for a paddling environment, so I focused on boards that were designed for specifically that type of paddling. My board options were then very simple - sport touring (10'-11'), touring (11'-12'6), and race/fitness (12'6&14'). I ended up getting the RPC 12'6x30 Race iSUP.

Let us know what you weigh and where you intend to paddle (the most) and maybe we can recommend some more specific options.
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Off-Shore

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Re: Best inflatable SUP for beginners?
« Reply #2 on: July 31, 2015, 02:43:54 PM »
I'd recommend RedPaddle or equivalent brand and the following choices for beginners

10-6 Ride for general use.
10-8 Ride / Mega for heavier paddler
11' Sport for touring

The first board I started with was a 10-6 ride. It went everywhere with me for 3 years. I bought my first hard board (a 14' Starboard Coast Runner) 6 months after this

I also like the RedPaddle because of the Titan pump which is the best pump around and easiest to use to pump up a board manually.
SB 9' x 33' x 4.1" - RPC 9'8" iSUP - SB All-Star 12'6" - Blue Planet Bump Rider 14 - SB Ace 14 x 27 - RedAir 14' Elite Race - SIC Bullet 14v1 TWC - SICMaui F16v3 Custom

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/HksupaHk_SUP_and_Downwinding

Sakutama

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Re: Best inflatable SUP for beginners?
« Reply #3 on: July 31, 2015, 03:02:08 PM »
Thanks guys!

Weight is about 180 pounds (81 kg last I checked) but I'm losing weight from the lifestyle changes im making, so it could drop a bit in a few months if all goes well.

I would like a board that's good for everything, because I would like use it on the ocean. But I live about 1 hour from the ocean, and 2-3 hours from where it's considered good to surf. So likely I'll be on lakes or rivers between trips to the ocean.

I found this board on Amazon Japan, love the design, but need to translate it to see if it's a good fit for me.

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/aw/d/B00JOWH71K/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1438334774&sr=8-3&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=SUP&dpPl=1&dpID=51SI8GN2gYL&ref=plSrch

2Rivers

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Re: Best inflatable SUP for beginners?
« Reply #4 on: July 31, 2015, 07:03:44 PM »
Weight is about 180 pounds (81 kg last I checked) but I'm losing weight from the lifestyle changes im making, so it could drop a bit in a few months if all goes well.

I would like a board that's good for everything, because I would like use it on the ocean. But I live about 1 hour from the ocean, and 2-3 hours from where it's considered good to surf. So likely I'll be on lakes or rivers between trips to the ocean.
Alright, this gives us something to work with. I'm going to also support Off-Shore's recommendation. RPC (Red Paddle Co) makes the "best" inflatables imo. Runners up would be Fanatic, Mistral, and Uli. The RPC 10'6 Ride would work for your weight and your intended use, but I'll admit that even though a board like the Ride will work for both surf and flatwater, it doesn't work great for either type of riding imo. I feel it's better to have a board shape conducive to the type of paddling your planning to do the most. Good example... you wouldn't buy a Mini Couper for around town and then plan to take it on the Rubicon during the weekends, but a Jeep can work OK around town. So if your paddling environment is better suited towards lakes and rivers, I'd look at something like the RPC 11' Sport because it would still work OK for the surf, but it's a better shape for paddling on lakes and rivers vs. the Ride.

The "best" SUP based on price vs. performance is a whole different story. Any affordable SUP that's dimensionally similar to the RPC Sport would be best imo. Like I said there's a lot of brands if iSUPs, but only so many will have something similar/identical to the RPC Sport.
« Last Edit: July 31, 2015, 07:15:57 PM by 2Rivers »
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Area 10

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Re: Best inflatable SUP for beginners?
« Reply #5 on: July 31, 2015, 08:19:06 PM »
Red Paddle Co are very good. But if you want the ultimate in portability then check out Origin Paddleboards. Their 10-6 all-round inflatable board weighs only 7 kg (15 lbs) which makes it the lightest iSUP on the market, I think. They aren't cheap, but 15lbs is *seriously* light for an inflatable SUP of that size. They are made I think in the UK (ie. not China) by a company that specialises in hot air balloons, using unique hi-tech materials.

Sakutama

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Re: Best inflatable SUP for beginners?
« Reply #6 on: July 31, 2015, 11:55:48 PM »
Got it. That helps a lot. Thank you again! The problem is what I want to do vs what's more practical. I think if I had to choose a purpose I want to focus on, it would be waves in the ocean and occasionally flat lakes and rivers

But unfortunately flat lakes and rivers are closer to me than the ocean, so I'm in a bit of a conflict.

I guess I could get a board good for the surf that is just ok for lakes and rivers since that's what I'm most interested in. That way I'll have the best outcome doing what I want to do most, even if it's not as often as I want it to be.

Green Water Sports

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Re: Best inflatable SUP for beginners?
« Reply #7 on: August 01, 2015, 07:28:22 AM »
Hi Sakutama, As suggested by several already and with a little background from me, by far the most popular board we sell is the 10'6" Ride by Red Paddle Co. Followed by the 12'6" Explorer and then the 10'8" Ride. The Explorer sounds like a little too much board for your touring and not ideal for the ocean. You don't need the 10'8" Ride especially at 180lbs and dropping. If you plan on really dropping the pounds and want to focus more on waves, the 9'8" could be an option but isn't great as a first time board at 180lbs or for touring. Sport 11 would be a great option if you end up riding more lakes and flat water than the waves. All the RPC boards come with the Titan Pump.

I do have Naish and Starboard as well, but RPC are the leaders not just in board quality but the overall package (pump, bag) and the 10'6 best suits your size and intended plans. Starboard have a nice 11'6" Touring, the ever popular Whopper 10' Deluxe and the 11'2 Blend Deluxe but I don't think they match your needs and size. The Naishs I have are bigger boards not suited to you or your plans.

Find out more on the boards here. Each RPC has a little video showing the board and its features.

http://greenwatersports.com/shop/brand/red-paddle-co
http://greenwatersports.com/shop/product-category/stand-up-paddle/boards/inflatable-boards
Julian
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Sakutama

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Re: Best inflatable SUP for beginners?
« Reply #8 on: August 02, 2015, 07:28:29 AM »
Thank you Julian! That's also a huge help, now I don't feel like Im going into all this blind. A SUP board is quite an investment for me, so I want to make sure I get the best one for me at the moment that ill get the most use out of. Glad I finally know now! Thanks so much again!!

baddog

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Re: Best inflatable SUP for beginners?
« Reply #9 on: August 02, 2015, 08:35:50 AM »
Green Water, do the 9'8" and 10'6" surf that much better with the plastic tri setup then the 11' Sport or is it more of a toss up?  Coming from a surfing background I've found that my iSups (a Starboard Touring which I sold and my current 11' Sport) kind of just slide around rather then 'really surf'.

Green Water Sports

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Re: Best inflatable SUP for beginners?
« Reply #10 on: August 02, 2015, 07:05:19 PM »
Green Water, do the 9'8" and 10'6" surf that much better with the plastic tri setup then the 11' Sport or is it more of a toss up?  Coming from a surfing background I've found that my iSups (a Starboard Touring which I sold and my current 11' Sport) kind of just slide around rather then 'really surf'.

Hi baddog,

The 9'8" would be noticeably better in the waves. The 10'6" is a big board for me in the waves and better suited to riding smaller longer waves along with the 11 Sport. I've had the 10'6" in chest high surf and I'm just not heavy enough to get it to turn well. I usually surf my carbon 8'5" when the waves are up. They won't ever perform as well as a true surf SUP due to the rounded rails. I find that you need to get on the tail more than you would a regular board of the same size. Load the tail more for grip, a stomp and turn kind of ride rather than carving large turns. I've ridden the 10'6" and the old 10' Surfer in the surf, the 9'8", not as much. The 9'8" basically merged the front of a 9'6" All Water and the tail of a 10' Surfer. The 10' Surfer was a nice one in the waves. Thinner and a bit easier for me to throw around with the style you need to use on iSUPs, the stomp and turn, walk forward to keep on the wave... Back to your question, I think the amount of fin on the 11 Sport or the thruster iFins is about the same, it's the size and thickness of the 9'8" that set it apart. If you don't move around on the board and just try to lean it on a rail, it will slide around, thruster iFins or single large fin.
Julian
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Green Water Sports LLC - Inflatable SUP boards & stand up paddle boards & more. Call us on 1-888-252-4983
Red Paddle Co, Starboard, SIC Maui, Tahe, Naish, Fanatic, Accent Paddles, Onyx, FCS, Vamo

baddog

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Re: Best inflatable SUP for beginners?
« Reply #11 on: August 02, 2015, 08:48:57 PM »
Cool report, thanks Green Water.

Off-Shore

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Re: Best inflatable SUP for beginners?
« Reply #12 on: August 02, 2015, 11:43:54 PM »
Green Water, do the 9'8" and 10'6" surf that much better with the plastic tri setup then the 11' Sport or is it more of a toss up?  Coming from a surfing background I've found that my iSups (a Starboard Touring which I sold and my current 11' Sport) kind of just slide around rather then 'really surf'.

Hi baddog,

The 9'8" would be noticeably better in the waves. The 10'6" is a big board for me in the waves and better suited to riding smaller longer waves along with the 11 Sport. I've had the 10'6" in chest high surf and I'm just not heavy enough to get it to turn well. I usually surf my carbon 8'5" when the waves are up. They won't ever perform as well as a true surf SUP due to the rounded rails. I find that you need to get on the tail more than you would a regular board of the same size. Load the tail more for grip, a stomp and turn kind of ride rather than carving large turns. I've ridden the 10'6" and the old 10' Surfer in the surf, the 9'8", not as much. The 9'8" basically merged the front of a 9'6" All Water and the tail of a 10' Surfer. The 10' Surfer was a nice one in the waves. Thinner and a bit easier for me to throw around with the style you need to use on iSUPs, the stomp and turn, walk forward to keep on the wave... Back to your question, I think the amount of fin on the 11 Sport or the thruster iFins is about the same, it's the size and thickness of the 9'8" that set it apart. If you don't move around on the board and just try to lean it on a rail, it will slide around, thruster iFins or single large fin.

+1 on this. I've taken the old RPC 9'2" Surfer out in chest high waves in Bali and swapped around with a friend on a 9' hard SUP board and there is definitely a different style required. For Sakutama this is a good vid showing some beginners on RPC boards learning. This is the type of conditions you want to find near you for starting out.. These iSUPs are perfect for that (a 10-6, 9-8 etc).

https://youtu.be/YVrv_cAGggc
SB 9' x 33' x 4.1" - RPC 9'8" iSUP - SB All-Star 12'6" - Blue Planet Bump Rider 14 - SB Ace 14 x 27 - RedAir 14' Elite Race - SIC Bullet 14v1 TWC - SICMaui F16v3 Custom

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/HksupaHk_SUP_and_Downwinding

 


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