Sunday, June 16, 2013

Facts You Should Know About the Different Types of SUPs

By Jessica Miller


If you are looking to start paddleboarding, you have most likely checked out buying gear. Having your own board can be costly to buy, but will end up costing less in the long run because you can prevent high equipment rental fees.

There are a variety of different paddleboard designs you can purchase, one of which is inflatable. Boards that are inflated have several advantages, however there are a couple of disadvantages. These kinds of boards are created with a specific person in mind who will value the benefits and not care about the downsides. Let's take a look at how they are different.

Ease in Transporting Them

Inflatable SUPs can be deflated and delivered in a compact bag. This means that paddlers don't have to load a huge board on the top of their cars. They can also be transported on airplanes without requiring a significant charge normally charged for oversized baggage.

Since they can be packed into a smaller, more compact size, these boards can be conveniently locked in a car, carried on one's back and stored without using up much area. Conventional fiberglass boards do not provide these benefits. People who have a roof rack on their car, sufficient storage area and no need to lock their boards while carrying them, this might not cause a problem.

Work Needed to Pump up the Board

Inflatable SUPs usually need a manual hand pump to be pumped up. This can take from 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the power of the person doing the inflating. Pumping air into a paddleboard takes work, and for some petite ladies, it can be a workout. Fiberglass boards of course do not require this added work, and some people choose the convenience of not needing to constantly pump up and deflate their equipment.

Maneuverability

The firmness of inflatable boards differs. In general, the cheaper boards have a lower psi inflation, and therefore are less firm. This means that they can bounce more in rough water or surf. For newbies, this can feel more unsteady. For individuals paddling on lakes or various other flat water locations, they may not be able to notice a distinction and for that reason not care.

Typical boards can provide a more streamlined ride and greater maneuverability. Paddlers wanting a fast board that is simpler to turn and move (ie those who wish to race or do regular exercises) are more likely to prefer a fiberglass board instead of the inflatable type, which are more designed to the recreational paddler or somebody interested in yoga paddleboard classes.

From my experience and research, inflatable paddleboards do not leak air very often. Even so, the majority of models have a patch kit just in case. These boards appear and feel like a hard board to people not knowledgeable about the various styles of boards, and a lot of novice buyers are thrilled at how they perform.

When buying, it is smart to compare the attributes of different items along with costs, so you can get an SUP that you enjoy.




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