Is SUP right for me?

[nuSUPer]

Hi,
This is my first post here.  I am interested in possibly getting into SUP.  I tried it out on a vacation in Hawaii and really enjoyed it.  My husband, not so much.  My husband likes to kayak (tame, flatwater, mostly river).  I don't really enjoy that.  He originally bought a tandem because I said I'd go, but then he had to buy a single.  I'm thinking I could have fun on a SUP and go with him as he kayaks.

My first question is, would I be able to keep up with a kayak on a SUP.  He is 50 years old, 6 feet, strong, but in crappy cardiovascular shape.  I am 47, 5'8" in better shape.  I liked my SUP experience enough, that I might get one anyway, even if I just go to local lakes to paddle.

I live in the midwest, with the closest SUP shop 2 hours away.  Don't think I will be demoing any boards.  I can afford any board.  Does anyone have any thoughts on a first board?  It would be used mainly on flat rivers and small lakes for fitness.  I'm fairly athletic and a good snowboarder, so my balance is pretty good.  Also what size should I be looking at? I am 155 lbs.  I'm considering an inflatable.  The shop 2 hours away carries Tahoe and C4 boards but online is also an option.  The options are somewhat overwhelming.

Thanks for any insight anybody has.
Julie

[hbsteve]

What kayak does your husband have? 
If you are interested in staying up with him, I think that an inflatable isn't the best idea.

[Dwight (DW)]

Stubborn men  
You should absolutely do it. I'll bet he joins you standing within a year.

There will be a speed difference and you'll be disadvantaged by head winds. But if he's a lazy paddler, you can go together.

[sup_surf_giant]

When you tried it, did you try a surfboard looking SUP or a canoe-looking one, a "race" SUP?

[Surfer44]

My wife 6?)  and  I (68)  paddle all the time with our neighbors. They are in their late 50s. He is on a kayak and she is on a standup paddleboard. She stays right along with him on the rivers and lakes. It would depend upon the speed of the river. Ours are 1-3 MPH. most of the time. I have CreedSUP, Starboard Drive and ISUP (inflatables) C4 and Uli. The inflatables are great BUT do take time to inflate and are very costly with a 3 pc. carbon paddle. They will keep up with a kayak. The "best for your money IMHO, is the Creed. Great looks, low cost and light.
   My neighbors husband will never SUP and she doesn't mind. She loves how easy it is to just say"let's go" and we're on the river in 15 minutes, no set up time.

[Fark]

If you can get a Tahoe, go with the bliss model.  No reason why you couldn't keep up on a board like that.  Check out Bark, Naish, and the Hobie elites if you can.

[Sup-position]

We offer a great variety of boards..
Take a Look.
We are happy to help...
Just give us a call

Ralph
Sup-position
Huntington Beach, California, USA
(714) 899-3020

www.Sup-position.com

[lucabrasi]

That's about the opposite of my house. I can't get my wife out of the kayak and onto a SUP. You guys will be fine doing both and will have fun. He will probably be out on a board before long if he goes out and paddles already by himself.
C4 and Tahoe both make good boards and someone else here will point you in the right direction on what size for you I am sure. If mostly going lakes and flatwater then something in the shape of the Tahoe Bliss or Zephyr (displacement hull) would be good but nothing wrong with more of a surfboard shape either. The displacement hull will be faster. Many good boards out there like that and your options are overwhelming. I would say tho that a board for you would be pretty different than one that would work for both of you so if you are sure it is just for you then I wouldn't compromise, get one sized for you. Get a good, light paddle too. That's just as important. 
We will load the kayak on top of the board on top of the car but I don't think we have done that yet on the displacement hull board so that may be something to consider.

[pdxmike]

Even with two equal people, the kayak will be faster but not so much it's not enjoyable to paddle together.  With you being lighter and in better shape, you'll reduce that difference.  Wind will affect you more as someone already said--both directions.

Whatever you do, you probably need one of these shirts from www.nwpaddlesurfers.com:



Text at bottom is "If it was easy, they'd call it kayaking".

[mittenkitten]

I feel as though I can say with 99% conviction that getting into SUP is a decision you well never regret, ever! It's an awesome sport, and I'm sure the more you do it, the more you'll love it! No reason why you couldn't keep up with your husband in the kayak from the info you provided. I second Fark's advice on boards - all great for what you are looking for.

That shirt is great pdxmike! I'm doing a race in June that involves a 2.5 mile run, 17 mile bike and 2.5 mile paddle on your choice of paddle craft. Most people paddle in kayaks, not so many on SUP's. The temptation to purchase and  wear that shirt during the paddle portion of the race is overwhelming   

[FollySUP]

I have less than a year experience SUPing, but similarly tried out a friends board and paddle and loved it!  I first bought a 12 ft surfboard shaped board for under 1k ( all i could afford) and outgrew it within 9 months.  I listened to good advice and spent the money for a nice lightweight paddle, which hopefully i will have for a while.  I probably should have purchased a higher quality board to begin with, but now i have a board for my wife to use, friends, whoever.   Also - i've learned a lot about the sport, different boards, and most importantly what I like to do and what my paddling style is.   Plus i can always sell it on craigslist. 

If you enjoyed paddling enough to be thinking about it still, grab a board, a good paddle, and it'll get you on the water.  You'll have a great time and get a lot of excersize too.   Good luck!

[Weasels wake]

Even with two equal people, the kayak will be faster but not so much it's not enjoyable to paddle together.  With you being lighter and in better shape, you'll reduce that difference.  Wind will affect you more as someone already said--both directions.

Whatever you do, you probably need one of these shirts from www.nwpaddlesurfers.com:



Text at bottom is "If it was easy, they'd call it kayaking".

Not to change the subject, but I always heard "if it was easy, they'd call it kiteboarding".

But yes, SUPing is right for you, you'll be getting a full body workout while he's just working from the waist up, and you'll be more visible, another thing that he will notice.

[raf]

Julie,
get a board.  you NEED it.  more than you realize.

Don't sweat the size too much.  Important thing is to get one and start SUPing asap.  Life is short.
My personal recommendation would be to get something 29-30" wide, at least 10.5 feet.  Shorter, smaller boards will be easier to carry, which is important for women especially, so that they get on the water on their schedule.  Sup is an emancipating sport. 
If your husband is a casual kayaker, then you can get away with a shorter board, but if he gets moving, you will want to go longer; 11' to 12.5'.  12-6 is a race class and there are tons of boards in that length.  The rule is narrower/longer boards go faster than wider/shorter ones.
Get something inexpensive, but not too heavy.  These things are easy to sell, so don't obsess about getting something you will keep forever....you won't be keeping it forever anyways; you'll be shopping for a more perfect one in 9 months, and will sell the one you buy now for 80% of what you paid.  But the second time around you will know EXACTLY what you want.

Let us know what you decide to do and post pics!

Raf
owner of Soposup
www.soposup.com

[JakeSupTX]

If you can afford any board you can't afford NOT to get into sup! It seems that your heart is in it, go for it!!

I'd evaluate your transportations logistics before discounting an inflatable (not picking at you Steve)...Uli, Mistral, Starboard and Naish make good to great inflatables that sound like a good fit for what you described. Conceding that a kayak MAY be faster head to head but also considering that your husband isn't in the best shape it appears doubtful that he'd be going full bore and leaving you behind. There are a lot of variables...board vs boat design, paddler ability, cool factor of the faster paddler in not leaving their partner behind, etc.  

Like the others have said, just get out there and have fun. Best of luck

[surf4food]

My first question is, would I be able to keep up wit
I live in the midwest, with the closest SUP shop 2 hours away.  Don't think I will be demoing any boards.

I seriously think you should re-consider that.  I would not fork out over a thousand plus dollars and not try out and demo at least several boards.  If there's a lake within a reasonable distance to where ever the nearest SUP shop is then I would recommend making the two hour trip.  You can make a day out of it.  That's a lot of money to throw down so you shouldn't let the fact that you'd have to make the long drive be a reason not to demo.  Hopefully where ever this shop is they have a knowledgable staff that can help you and answer questions.  If this isn't possible then I would recommend taking a vacation sometime in the spring or summer where you can try some out.