But there are different lengths for all kinds of uses, from surfing and racing to touring and even yoga.Īnd it’s not just on the water where SUPs need to excel, because they need to be portable, easy to inflate and be made from some quality materials that will survive submerged scrapes and on-board bumps. Most beginners use a 10ft 6in board, which is a good all-rounder that will track well in the water and go where you want it to. Length is another important consideration. Too thin and it will be like paddling driftwood, which is OK if you’re a confident and competent paddler. Generally, the wider the board, the more stable it will be, while thickness and volume add to how confident you feel when you get on. Somewhere in between, however, is what has actually attracted thousands of people to the aquativity and made it one of the fastest-growing water sports in the UK, as they realise an SUP is a great way to get out on the water and have a ton of fun.īut before you step aboard, there are a few things you need to consider (including the tide times), beginning with pairing the right board to your ambitions.

There’s a certain Instagram versus reality thing going on with stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) – from images of the effortless, Californian-cool boarder, backlit by golden hour, to the wobbling newbie desperately trying to straighten up without taking an unceremonious dive into the drink.

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