What Type of SUP Board Do You Need for Rivers?
The best paddle board for rivers are wide for stability and durable for impact. River paddle boards need plenty of rocker (curve) from nose to tail. And they need short durable fins. Good river paddle boards are all inflatable paddle boards.
Best Inflatable SUP for Rivers
1. Whitewater
2. Slow Down River (No Whitewater)
Watch: I paddle the ambling Tahquamenon River
Paddle Boarding is the fastest growing sport in the world. And the most exciting type of paddle boarding is whitewater river running. (no offense intended surfers)
Whitewater paddle boarding has more in common with surfing than flat water paddle boarding. The water is moving in one direction. Sometimes very fast.
Not only that, its moving around and over rocks, logs and tree stumps.
And that takes a specific type of paddle board. So what’s the best inflatable SUP for rivers? Can’t you just use a regular paddle board?
If the river is moving slow you can use a stable all-around paddle board or a fishing sup. Paddling a slow river is a lot of fun and great for fishing.
Paddling a fast river
(or anywhere there is strong current)
is not recommended
for new paddlers
For whitewater you need a paddle board that is super stable, yet at the same time responsive and nimble so you can avoid rocks. Plus your board will need plenty of rocker to ride over waves instead of under them.
And of course you need an inflatable paddle board because a hard paddle board is ruined after the few inevitable encounters with rocks.
River runners need a specialized paddle board. In this article I will outline my favorite inflatable SUPs for rivers.
Whitewater
paddlers wear a breakaway leash
above the waist
to be able to
release themselves
quickly
if tangled
Never wear an
ankle leash
when running fast rivers
Whitewater
What are we looking for in a whitewater paddle board?
- Wide for stability
- Plenty of rocker to ride over waves
- The right profile for responsiveness
- Compact enough for nimble maneuverability
- Very durable
- 2-4 Short flexible fins that can absorb impact without breaking
- Wide tail for stepping back and lifting the nose over whitewater
Whitewater paddle boards are typically a whopping 36″ wide.
They are short and wide for stability not glide.
At the other end of the spectrum are narrow racing paddle boards.
Racing board are long and narrow for glide not stability.
This is a racing paddle board, NOT a river board.
What is paddle board rocker?
The rocker is the curve of the board from the nose to the tail. River running paddle boards need large rocker to ride over waves and rough water.
Disclosure
Products I use are purchased with my own funds. I am under no obligation to review any product. This site expresses my own independent opinion.
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1. Whitewater River Paddle Boards
Hala Rado 10’10”
Specs:
- Size: 10’10” x 35″ x 6″
- Rider Capacity: 350lbs
- Fins: 2 small side fins & one retractable center fin
- Weight: 33.5lbs
Hala Gear is a leader in river paddle board design. Both whitewater and down river.
Rado is very stable with a large platform making it great for big guy paddlers. The Rado is both a whitewater sup and a downriver all-around. It’s super buoyant with a weight capacity of 350lbs.
This is a great choice for river expeditions on both whitewater and slower rivers. It’s a big stable platform for fishing and yoga.
The Rado is good for whitewater
and as a down river all-around.
It can also work well for fishing and yoga
Hala is always on the edge of river paddle board innovation. They have designed a unique retractable center fin. If you hit a rock or shallow water the fin retracts into the board.
Hala makes some of the best river paddle boards you can buy. They back their paddle boards up with a 3 year warranty. If you are serious about river running add this board on the top of your list.
You can see the current price on Amazon here.
Features:
- Patented Stompbox™ Fin System
- Patented Core Construction
- Large Dynamic Board Shape
- River Rocker
- Swallowtail
- 12 Soft Rigging Points
- 2 Webbing Side Handles
- Bottom D-Ring For Towing
- Diamond Groove 4mm EVA Deck Pad
- 1.5” Raised Stomp Pad
- Two 4.5” Click Fins
- Backcountry Rolling Backpack
- Industry-leading 3-Year Warranty
The Hala Atcha Package Includes
- Nice carry bag with wheels
- Hand pump
- Repair kit
NRS Quiver 9’8″
Specs:
- Size: 9’8″ x 36″ x 6″
- Rider Capacity: 250lbs
- Fins: 2 Side Fins (comes with 2 interchangeable sets 2″ & 5″)
- Weight: 26lbs
NRS is a leading manufacturer of inflatable paddle boards, kayaks and rafts. They understand what makes great inflatable watercraft. The NRS Quiver is a top of the line river runner.
The Quiver inflates to 20psi compared to the standard 15psi. This makes for a stiffer better performing board. Adding even more stiffness is a NRS propriety acrylic stiffening agent applied to the deck. The result is super rigid board that maneuvers better with no added weight.
Another great feature is the extra set of fins. The ABS fins are interchangeable. You can go with 2″ fins or 5″ depending on the water level. ABS fins will take impact without breaking.
The unique profile of the Quiver makes for a stable forgiving board when the water gets wild. At the same time its super responsive when dodging rocks and tree stumps. You can’t go wrong with this great high quality whitewater paddle board.
You can see the current price on Amazon here.
Features:
- Inflates to 20psi for extra stiffness
- Acrylic stiffening agent on deck for stiffness
- Extra rocker on nose and tail
- 6 D-rings for cargo
- 2 Deck handles
- Two sets of removable interchangeable fins (2″ & 5″)
- 3 Year warranty
The NRS Quiver Package includes
- Extra set of fins (two 2″and two 5″ fins)
- High-pressure hand pump
- Pressure gauge
- Travel Carry Bag
- Leafield valve adapter
- Repair kit
- (No Paddle)
What if I want to paddle a river with no whitewater?
2. River Paddle Boards (With No Whitewater)
Any good stable all-around inflatable paddle board will work fine for paddling down a slow river. If the river is shallow in spots you will want river fins that are short and durable rubber.
Read: Best mid-priced all-around paddle boards
Red Paddle Co Ride 10’6″
Red Paddle Co is one of the top high-quality paddle board brands on the market. They are know for a quality product, durability and are always on the cutting edge of paddle board technology.
The Ride 10’6″ is one of the best all-around paddle boards you can buy. All-around paddle boards tend to be a ” jack of all trades but master of none”. The 10’6″ Ride performs well in every category.
It would make a excellent choice for slow to moderate running rivers. The Ride is stable, maneuvers well, is responsive and just plain fun to paddle. It does not let you down in any performance category.
The Ride has 3 short flexible fins designed for durability. These fins are perfect for shallow rivers.
The Ride is one of my top picks in an all-around paddle board. While it is more expensive then some paddle boards you are still getting a great value because it is top-of-the-line.
You can ready my full review of the Red Paddle Co Ride 10’6″ here.
Nixy Venice G3 10’6″
The Nixy Venice G3 is a good quality all-around paddle board at reasonable price.
With a 34″ width the Venice has plenty of stability for down river paddling. It’s also a favorite for those who practice yoga on a paddle board.
The center fin box on the Venice is universal so you can swap to a smaller flexible river fin.
The Venice is an all-around multi-purpose paddle board. It’s outstanding performance characteristic is stability. But it glides well for its 34″ width and handles choppy water and boat wake fine. It remains stable even when carrying a child or dog as a passenger.
Nixy makes a quality paddle board. Nixy sup boards inflate to a higher 20 psi air pressure. This adds stiffness and better performance. But it also indicates quality. Only a well constructed inflatable can take 20psi over the standard 15psi.
The Nixy Venice has a reasonable price and considering the quality is a very good value for your money.
Read my full review of the Nixy Venice G3 here.
