Best Inflatable Paddleboards

For All Your Stand Up Inflatable Paddleboard Needs

INFLATABLE PADDLEBOARD USES

Inflatable paddeboards for beginners, touring, surfing, fishing, kayaking, yoga, racing, multi person and the all rounder.

 

INFLATABLE PADDLEBOARDS BEST BRANDS

Check out the top inflatable paddeboard brands. Including Red Paddle Co, Sea Eagle, Isle, iRocker and More….

 

INFLATABLE PADDLEBOARD ACCESSORIES

Here you will find a great range of Inflatable paddeboards accessories, including paddles, leashes, pumps and life jackets.

 

Sea eagle Inflatable Long Boards

Sea Eagle LongBoard Series The LongBoard series of inflatable SUPs is designed for all-around use in a wider variety of situations than the Needle Nose boards by sacrificing some of the speed due to the design differences. These boards come in two models, the 11’ and...

Stand Up Inflatable Paddleboard Fun

Stand Up Inflatable Paddleboard Fun

Want to get noticed and have some fun out on the water, then why not transform your inflatable paddleboard into a unicorn, swan or shark. The inflatable paddleboard transformation is simple. Inflate your chosen character. Use the universal harness to attach the...

Introduction to Inflatable Standup Paddleboards

Paddleboarding has been taking the world by storm for some time, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a clean combination of athleticism and adventure, just watching those who partake in action is often enough to stir the blood.

Add in the fact that they’re usable in nearly any body of water which can be found and even those who are far inland are able to experience the ride.

The whole thing has left a lot of us wondering what the best way to get into the sport is, and the answer is obvious: inflatable standup paddleboards.

A Brief History of Stand Up Paddleboarding

Much like surfing, paddle boarding definitely isn’t a new thing, although it’s been enjoying a surge of popularity in the last few years.

The technique used for standup paddleboarding actually originates in Africa, where it was used by warriors to bring their canoes in for stealthy assaults on enemies. The practice also surfaced in Hawaii, where surfboards that dwarf the average modern board were commonplace and riders often used paddles to maneuver them into position.

It was also used in Tel Aviv as a way for lifeguards to efficiently stay over the waves and rapidly get to those who were at risk of drowning.

Of course, the modern history of paddleboards is a bit storied.

Standup paddleboarding, in its modern form, has been taught since the 1940’s in surf schools in Hawaii but took some time to gain prominence. Far from just being a way to surf while there’s not much in the way of swells, the sport has rapidly expanded to become its own phenomenon as tourists brought them back from the coasts.

SUP racing has become its own phenomenon entirely, with people being finding the boards extremely swift on the water, but leisure riders are much more common.

These days paddleboards can be found wherever there’s a body of water large enough to hold them. Since their usage is so diverse many people have found themselves wanting to travel with their boards.

Since the boards are so large by design, they’re hard to transport much farther than the closest body of water.

Thankfully, technology has advanced enough in recent years to create inflatable boards which have most of the rigidity of the original fiberglass boards but are much easier managed for travel.

In fact, inflatable SUPs are quickly taking over the market and it’s easy to see why.

The Advantages of Inflatable Paddleboards 

Since they’re so similar to their rigid counterparts, stand up inflatable paddleboards have an endless variety of uses.

  • Riding the surf
  • Floating down rivers
  • Taking the dog for a ride
  • Racing
  • Fishing
  • Yoga

Best of all, there’s an inflatable SUP for pretty much anyone out there. Whether you want to go for a ride with the kids, race with your friends or brave the water searching for legendary rock cod there’s a board specially made with your needs in mind.

Specialized Adaptations of Inflatable Paddleboards

Inflatable boards are also a fraction of the cost of traditional boards in many cases and since they don’t take up as much room in the garage they’re often available with special adaptations for different activities.

Anglers, for instance, will find that there are boards with rod holders, some will have deeper centers to function as kayaks, there are even boards specifically made with yoga in mind.

Extreme Convenience

The convenience of inflatable SUPs can’t be beaten. They package up small and often weigh only 40-60lbs, making them easy to transport no matter where you’re heading or how you plan to get there.

They also won’t take up your entire garage, even if you get one for everyone in the household.

Health Benefits of Paddleboarding

Far more than just being a great way to get some sun, taking your board out has some pretty impressive implications for your health.

Think of it as a low impact, high energy core workout with strength elements and you’ll be on the right track. From cardio to strength, your body will love gliding on the water as much as you will.

It’ll also improve your balance immensely, which isn’t something most people get from the gym.

What to Look for in an ISUP

Of course, you’re not looking for just any board, you’re looking for the best inflatable SUP.

When you’re looking for the right board you’ll want to keep the following in mind:

  • Stability-How stable the board is will usually be a function of how wide the entire thing is. There are extra wide boards for things like yoga and fishing, but narrower boards tend to be faster.
  • Speed- How quickly your board can be paddled is tied to the height: longer board, faster board. There’s obviously an upper limit to this, but you’re not likely to run into it with an inflatable board.
  • Thickness- This is where there’s a big difference in dimensions compared to traditional paddleboards, anything less than 6” tends to have a soft “feel” on the top even if they’re otherwise fine to ride.
  • Load Capacity- If you’re a bigger person, then you’ll want to make sure that you’re under the load capacity of the board to avoid submerging it.
  • Nose Rocker- The “rocker” is how far back the nose of the board bends. When you’re looking at ISUPs a small one is usually fine, but if you’re surfing or planning on being in really rough waters you should look for something with a good tilt.
  • Storage- How the board folds up and any included bags or other storage devices are pretty important if you’re planning on traveling with your new ISUP.
  • Cost- How much are inflatable paddleboards? You’re probably going to be looking at at least a couple of hundred dollars for a new one on the low end, or another couple of hundred to make sure you’ve got something which is professional.

On top of these factors, you should be aware of the three main types of inflatable stand up paddle boards:

  • Racing Boards- Racing boards have a displacement hull, which means less contact on the bottom with the water and allows you to paddle much more quickly than you would otherwise.
  • Touring Boards- These have a flat bottom and are usually considered the “all-arounders” when you’re looking at SUPs. They’re slower than racing boards, but faster than surfing boards and are a great choice for beginners.
  • Surfing Boards-These are the shortest of the boards, but with inflatables they’re usually too thick to be used for serious surfing. Instead, these broad, short designs are often used for fishing or yoga purposes, where stability is the main concern.

Accessories for Your Inflatable Paddleboard

Of course, you’ll need more than just the board at the end of the day. You’ll also find yourself needing paddles, fins, pumps, and a few other items. Among the essentials you’ll find:

  • Paddles-Necessary to keep the board moving while you’re on the water.
  • Electric Pumps-If you don’t want to spend a ton of time with a hand pump then these are essential.
  • Life Vests-Both a safety device and a good way to avoid tickets depending on the municipality you’re in.
  • Leads-Similar to a surf leash, these will make sure you don’t lose your paddleboard. They’re also required by law in some places.

Of course, if you’re not up for spending a ton of time sorting out the accessories you need there are also inflatable paddleboard kits available. They’re a great way to get everything you need so that you can hit the water as soon as you’ve got the package on your doorstep.

It’s simple, fun, and we both know the right board is just waiting for you. Get started now!

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