The big trend in water sports these days is SUP (Stand Up Paddle). If you haven't tried it yet, you might as well start preparing yourself. Because SUP is something every self-respecting water lover should try these days. And it's not just a sport that will disappear tomorrow. SUP is here to stay and it's only getting bigger. SUP combines the best of surfing and kayaking and gets you closer to nature and the ocean waves. SUP is perfect for the Danish coasts, lakes and rivers. SUP can be enjoyed alone or with friends and family, as a workout, a cozy social gathering or a meditative trip on the water. It's easy to do and requires no extraordinary skill, balance or physique.
As with any other sport, there are a lot of questions at the beginning that can seem overwhelming. That's why we've written this guide to Stand Up Paddle surfing, which will hopefully answer some of those questions.
ATTENTION. If you are looking for an inflatable SUP board, we recommend that you read our guide to buying an inflatable SUP board here >>
The first question that naturally comes to mind is:
Which SUP board should I choose?
A SUP board can be used for many different things. And there is a big difference between the board you choose for fitness, family fun, waves, touring or racing. The different types are shaped differently, which is why SUPs are categorized according to their shape, or shapes as it is called in English.
All-round SUP board
As the name suggests, an all-round SUP can be used for a bit of everything. So if you're not sure what type of sailing you're most into or you just want a board that can be used for a bit of everything, choose an all-round board. An all-round board is shaped like a classic longboard surfboard and is typically 10-12 feet long and has a width of 30" - 32" (SUP measurements are in inches for width and in feet for length). The length provides directional stability, while the width provides good stability when paddling. An all-round board can be used for fun and touring on flat water, but also works as a classic surfboard and can guarantee hours of fun in small to medium-sized waves.
If the board is mainly used for beach play and family fun, this is also the category to look in. However, a larger and beginner-friendly wave board with a length between 9'5 - 11 feet and a width of 32" and up can also make sense. The width and large volume provide plenty of stability, especially if the board needs to carry several people at a time. It also makes sense to look for an inflatable board (Air SUP) as it's easier to transport and can take more knocks without getting scratched or dented.
If you primarily use the board for flat water, coastal or ocean tours, choose a board with a "pointed" stem, a shape similar to a kayak. The pointed stem breaks the surface, pushing water down the side and creating a more efficient glide. To best cut through the water, touring and race boards are often longer and narrower than a traditional longboard shape, making them faster but also less stable to stand on. The board should be 11-14 feet long and if you're a beginner we recommend a width from 28" to 32". It also makes sense to look for an inflatable board (Air SUP) as it is easier to transport and can withstand more knocks without getting scratches or dents.
Race SUP board
If you're into competitions, then a race SUP is what you should be looking for. And preferably in carbon. There are typically 2 classes. The 12'6 foot class is the one you use for BOP (Battle Of the Paddle) where it's all about getting out first through the surf and around some buoys. Here the length is self-explanatory: 12'6 feet. However, most competitions are run with 14-foot SUPs and this is therefore the length we recommend in all cases other than BOP competitions. The narrower the board, the faster it is. But the board can also become so narrow that it can be difficult to keep your balance. And if you become unsure of your balance, your grip will not be effective. Therefore, a board that is too narrow is not necessarily an advantage. We recommend that you don't go below 26" in width for flat water racing and below 28" for open water racing.
See all our race SUP boards here >>
If you like to play in waves, we definitely recommend a SUP in fiberglass, carbon or wood construction. An inflatable will be far too soft. The shorter the board, the faster it will be able to maneuver, but the harder it will be to control and balance. You can also choose a longer wave SUP and ride the waves with a more classic longboard style. If you're into shortboards, we recommend that a beginner wave board is no shorter than 8'5 feet. The width should be over 30". For longboards, the length can be 9.5 feet and the width still around 30".
Yoga / Fitness SUP board
If you are using your SUP as a training tool, we recommend an all-round board or a touring board - but choose a board with moderate to good stability. A natural choice would be a board made of fiberglass or carbon with a width from 26" to 32". The length can vary from 10-14 feet. It's important that the board is not too short, as it's the length that provides directional stability. So a board that is too short will turn from one side to the other every time you take a take. A short board, on the other hand, is good for waves. More on that later. Finally, if you want to use the board for yoga, it can be an advantage to use a soft top or inflatable board, as these are softer to lie on. Here we would also recommend a slightly wider board - depending on your size/weight, choose a board between 28" to 34" for increased stability.
Fixed or Inflatable SUP board?
Generally speaking, a fixed board is better than an inflatable board. The fixed models are stiffer and glide through the water faster. But there are also many advantages to an inflatable SUP board. It weighs less and is easier to carry. It's easy to store and transport and is also more forgiving to learn on, as it's more forgiving if you have to kneel or fall down on the board. There are also inflatable boards that come so close to the fixed models in firmness and stiffness that it's hard to tell the difference when you ride them. However, these boards are made in special and better constructions than most "package boards" and are therefore also closer in price to the fixed boards.
If you want to use your board for more than just fun and games, but have an ambition to sail tours, sail fast or experience how easy and fun it is to surf waves on a SUP board, we would definitely recommend a fixed board. Of course, this requires that you have the space to store it and the ability to transport it on the roof of your car, or carry it to the water if you live close by.
Advantages of a fixed SUP board
A fixed board is faster, more stable and much less sensitive to ripples/waves on the water and wind. In other words, it can be used in more conditions where an inflatable board would fall short. A fixed SUP is as you know them from their classic form, where they originate from surfboards. Almost all fixed SUPs are built around a foam core with a shell around it for protection. This shell can be made of single fiberglass, Kevlar, plastic, wood or a combination of these. A fixed SUP offers the option of a stiff board that has a better and faster glide through the water.
Inflatable SUP boards, Air SUPs or iSUP boards (dear child has many names), have come a long way in a short span of years. Today, a good inflatable SUP board can be almost as stable and fast as a fixed SUP board. An inflatable board is incredibly durable and made to withstand knocks and dings from your paddle. Should you be unlucky enough to hit a rock, nothing will usually happen with an inflatable SUP, as any "bumps" will bounce back out. Inflatable boards also have the advantage that they can be packed up and fit inside a micro car and don't require much space for storage.
READ OUR GUIDE TO BUYING INFLATABLE SUP BOARDS HERE >Sup with sail / WindSUP
WindSUP is a contraction of Windsurf and SUP. As the name suggests, these boards have the option of mounting a windsurfing sail and thus get a two-in-one board. The shape is typically like a touring or all-round SUP board and is available as a fixed board or inflatable. SUP Windsurfing is therefore ideal for those who want to get started with the SUP sport but also want to try windsurfing. The board has no foot straps and is therefore primarily intended for windsurfing in light air, beginners and children learning to windsurf.Which SUP paddle should I choose?
Paddle size
There's a big difference in both blade size and shaft length and flex. The blade of the paddle should fit your size (how much power you have) and what you need it for. A paddle with a smaller blade has a higher cadence and can be compared to a low gear on a bike. This is an advantage if you're paddling longer trips or want less resistance and thus use less power per paddle stroke. Conversely, a larger blade provides faster acceleration and more propulsion, allowing you to sail faster. This is especially beneficial for short distance sprinting or SUP in waves, where you want a fast explosive power when catching waves, but typically don't paddle as many strokes as when you're touring.
The length is of course also important in relation to your height, but there is also a difference in what you need the paddle for. As a starting point, a paddle should be about 20 cm longer than your height for waves and about 40-50 cm longer for flat water (touring and racing), but there may also be individual preferences. If you are unsure which length is right for you, we recommend getting an adjustable paddle so you can easily find the length that suits you best before buying a paddle with a fixed length that needs cutting.
Fixed paddles vs adjustable and 3-piece paddles
A fixed length paddle is cut to length to suit your height and use (on flat water and for touring you want a longer paddle than for waves). It fits you perfectly and you get a paddle with a "clean" flex without any joints that can feel clumsy.
An adjustable 2-piece paddle can vary in length. So you can make the paddle longer or shorter. This is ideal if you know that the paddle will be used by several different people, or if you want to use the same paddle on flat water and in waves. It also takes up less space than a fixed paddle, as you can slide the upper part of the shaft all the way down when not in use.
A 3-piece adjustable paddle is ideal if you need to be able to pack the paddle down to take up as little space as possible. However, the joints will always change the flex of the paddle slightly, making it slightly worse than a fixed paddle.
A quality paddle is typically made of 100% carbon with a dihedral V in the blade. This is to stabilize the blade's grip through the water. But to start with, you can easily choose a fiberglass paddle to save a little money on that account. We only recommend plastic/aluminum paddles for pure toys.
What to wear for SUP?
Accessories for SUP
Like any other sport, there are accessories that can come in handy. Here's a small to-do list:- Vest (we always recommend using a life jacket on the water)
- Leash (a leash for the board so it doesn't drift away from you). The leash should be about the same length as the board.
- Padding for your roof bars (so you don't scratch your newly purchased SUP)
- Boardbag and Paddlecover (so you don't scratch your new toy)
- Rail tape (so you don't scratch your SUP when you make a wrong tag)
- Waterproof bag (so you can take your phone or GPS)
Safety on SUP
HAVE A GREAT TIME!
