SUP Mag UK lo-res free to readers July 2014 lo-res - free to read | Page 9

…
The kit
Modern stand up paddle boarding gear can
seem like a minefield at first. Most brands
produce a mind boggling array of equipment
that’s hard to fathom.

Board
Your first two bits of gear are going to be a
board and paddle – simple. Hiring could be the
best option to start with, to make sure you’re
keen to stick at it. After a while though you’ll
need your own kit.
An all round recreational SUP around 10ft, with
generous thickness and volume, is the way to
go. The main thing when buying your first board
is to not go too specialist. Instead hand over
your readies for a stable platform that allows
you to build on fundamental skills.
Ideally you want something durable and
resistant to wear and tear – stay away from
exotic constructions until later in your career.
You don’t necessarily have to go down the hard
board route either. Inflatables, these days, are
perfectly adequate for beginners and
intermediates – in fact some experienced
paddles use iSUPs in a variety of performance
paddling scenarios. There are benefits with each
type – some paddlers prefer hard types while
others choose the inflatable route.
iSUPs offer built in natural cushioning and, of
course, allow for easy storage and transport due
to their foldable nature. Hard boards meanwhile
can feel more planted under foot, without the
slight ‘give’ of an inflatable. As you progress,
hard boards will offer a tad more performance.

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