The Surf SUP boards

Maybe not an expert but everything you need to know and a little more to start the sport. The boards in SUPSurfing traditionally are large. Modern-day SUP Surfing and the new generation have pushed companies like Infinity to innovate and make shortboards. This is an entirely different skill set and mostly for the more elite surfers.

The rest of the boards you will find in the sport are slightly larger than most surfboards. The boards come in different shapes and sizes to attune to your riding style, your size, and of course, your budget.

  • Material –

    Solid boards are made of fiberglass and epoxy resin layers over hollow wood or foam cores. Some inexpensive SUPS are all foam. More high-end paddle boards you will find are made of carbon fiber, often with a foam core. The inflatable paddle boards, better known as isups, are made out of a strong PVC outer layer over a drop-stitch inflatable core.

  • Size & Shape –

    The SUPSurfing boards have a focus on three components. Stability for not falling off too easily, speed for catching and riding the wave, and maneuverability to make turns and cutbacks.

Most SUPSurf boards have a lower volume than actually regular SUPs. This makes it slightly less buoyant. It all depends on what you plan on using your board for, along with body mass and skill level. There are many boards on the market that work for both flat and ocean.

The average board size you will see from your everyday Joe or Jane is between 8 and 10 ft. Get below 8 ft, and congrats, you are now not average.

One of the main features of SUPSurfers is a pronounced rocker, which keeps the nose from getting buried and helps to make it out to the line-up. Another feature is the thinned-out tails, more similar to an actual surfboard than your standard SUP, which helps get more control and hold onto the wave and respond to pressure you put on the tail.

  • Care –

    SUPSurf boards are delicate. The inflatable ones are obviously a little more forgiving. Still, if you are getting into SUPSurfing seriously, you will probably invest in a solid board at some point. Solid SUPSurf boards and regular surfboards you have to handle with care. The downside about SUPSurf boards is that they are bigger, so you have to be extra careful moving them around, loading, and storing them. Here is a basic list of things to consider when taking care of your board.

  • Rinse your board off after a day of surfing
  • Look for lubrication and rust around the fin area and leash attachment.
  • Keep your SUPSurf out of the sun when not surfing.
  • Holes and Ding repairs are easy. You can find a million places on youtube that will show you how it’s done.
  • Make sure you learn how to load your board. It’s easy, but any mistake will get you, kook of the day, for sure.
  • Invest in a paddleboard bag.

Download Ultimate Guide to SUPSurf

If you are looking for more information on SUPSurfing, we recommend The Ultimate Guide to SUPSurf.

Costa Rica SUPSurf Camp

If you want to Master all 5 levels of SUPSurf, visit Nosara, Costa Rica, and attend a week-long SUPSurf Camp in Costa Rica at the Tropical SUPSurf Academy.