When I first saw people paddleboarding in a lake, I was a bit confused about what they were actually using to stand on. Was it a surfboard or some other kind of board? As it turns out, they were using inflatable paddleboards and a trend was passing me by quicker than I could comprehend.
It turns out there was a lot I didn’t know about paddleboarding and probably still don’t. In this guide, I aim to provide some of the answers to questions I had when I first started paddleboarding.
Are All Paddleboards Inflatable?
The simple answer is no, not all paddle boards are inflatable. In fact, inflatable paddleboards are actually a more recent invention than non-inflatable paddleboards.
What is a Non-Inflatable Paddleboard Called?
There are a number of terms that are used to describe paddleboards that are not inflatable. The main terms you will hear are:
- Regular Paddleboard
- Non-Inflatable Paddleboard
- Traditional Paddleboard
- Epoxy Paddleboard
- Hard Paddleboard
- Fibreglass Paddleboard
Whilst most of these terms are interchangeable, Epoxy and Fibreglass are two distinct types of material used to make paddleboards.
Epoxy paddleboards are made with a polystyrene core and then coated with epoxy resin. These boards are very strong and tend to be stronger than fibreglass boards.
Fibreglass paddleboards are made from polyurethane and are the traditional material used for surfboards. These tend to be easier to damage than epoxy resin.
What’s the Difference Between an Inflatable and a Regular Paddleboard?
A regular paddleboard is usually made from a harder material than an inflatable paddleboard, very similar to what you imagine when picturing a surfboard. This sturdy material helps the board remain rigid.
Inflatable paddleboards are made from extra strong PVC, which is softer on the outside than hard boards. These boards, when inflated, will hold their shape just as well as a hardboard.
In terms of size and shape, hard boards and inflatable paddleboards are very similar.
Are Inflatable or Hard Paddleboards Better?
For beginners, inflatable paddleboards are definitely better than hard paddleboards. Whilst hard boards are great for SUP surfing and racing, which are more advanced forms of paddleboarding, the following reasons make inflatable SUPs better for beginners:
- Inflatable SUPs are more durable than hard boards – when paddling on rivers, where you are likely to bash into rocks, hard boards are more likely to get dents in them and eventually develop holes. These can be very expensive to repair. Inflatable SUPs on the otherhand tend to be made with very strong material which can absorb the knocks better that a hard board.
- Inflatable Paddleboards can be stored more easily – Being able to fold your paddleboard down into a compact storage bag means it is far easier to store it. You don’t need to have a space the full length of the board in order to keep it stored indoors, which you would need with a hard board.
- Inflatable Paddleboards are easier to transport – Paddleboards are generally between 10-11 feet long, meaning that they will not fit inside your car easily. Unless you already have a roof rack on your car, you will struggle to transport it safely to where you want to go paddling. An inflatable paddleboard on the otherhand can fold down and be transported in the boot of your car, making it much easier to transport.
- You can take your inflatable paddleboard on a plane – If you are planning on paddling when you are travelling abroad on holiday, you can take your inflatable SUP with you on the plane. This will save you lots of money in rental for a SUP when you are abroad, as you can simply check it in on your flight.
- Inflatable boards are lighter than hardboards – An inflatable board will weigh between 10-12kgs, whereas hard boards generally start at around 12kg. Whilst this doesn’t sound like a big difference, it will certainly feel like one when you have to carry it
- If you fall, it will be a softer landing – An inflatable paddleboard has a softer surface than a hard board (the name says it all). There will be times as a beginner that you will stumble when paddling and fall on your board. Softer board = softer landing.
How Long do Inflatables SUPs Last?
Unfortunately, this question falls into the category of questions like “how long is a piece of string?”. How long your board lasts will depend on the quality of the board you buy, where you take your paddleboard and how often you use it.
You should expect a good quality paddleboard to last between 5-10 years when being used on a regular basis. Cheaper boards won’t last this long as they can warp in the sun and are more likely to break if bumping into rocks.
Where you take your paddleboard will also affect how long it will last. If you are using it on lakes, where there are few surfaces to bump and scrap it, you will find that it will last much longer than if you are regularly using it where there are rocks or other abrasive materials.
If you are using your board regularly, inflating and deflating the board over and over again could lead to some issues with the life of your board. Don’t let this put you off using your board though as this risk is minimal in the grand scheme of things.
Is it OK to Leave Inflatable SUPs Inflated?
Yes, it is ok to store your SUP inflated, however, you need to make sure you don’t place heavy items on top of it as this can impact the shape of your SUP and potentially cause divots in the material. Also, avoid stacking sharp objects on top of your inflatable SUP as this could lead to significant damage to your paddleboard, including punctures.
One tip is to let a little bit of air out of your SUP as this will reduce the likelihood of damage occurring. You can then just top it up when you want to use it.
Just remember that leaving your paddleboard inflated will make it more difficult to transport!
Are Inflatable Paddleboards Good for Beginners?
As a beginner, you are likely to want to try out paddleboarding in different situations, whether in a bay, on a lake or a calm river to see which one you prefer.
Inflatable paddleboards are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of paddling situations. This makes them great for beginners as you aren’t committing to just lakes, rivers or bays. The fact that they are durable and can soak up bumps and knocks better than hardboards makes them a great choice for beginners.
Another thing that makes inflatable paddleboards a great choice for beginners is that they tend to be more affordable than hardboards. This means you can make a much smaller upfront commitment than if purchasing a hardboard.
Finally, because they can be folded and fit into the boot of your car, you don’t need to shell out money for a roof rack and other equipment for transporting your board to your paddling destination.
Summary
So as you can see, not all paddle boards are inflatable and there are pros and cons to choosing between an inflatable and non-inflatable board.