How Long Does it Take to Paddleboard a Mile?
If your planning a SUP adventure it’s a good idea to know how much water you can cover in an hour. However there is not one simple answer to that question.
Many factors influence how fast you can cover a mile on a paddle board. Let’s examine them one at a time.
The average paddle board speed at a leisurely pace is 3 mph
6 Factors that Influence SUP Speed
1. Paddler Fitness Level
It’s no surprise that a strong paddler will cover a mile quicker than a weaker paddler. The good news is that no matter who you are the more you paddle the stronger you will get.
Dig Deeper: How to Get a Good Workout Paddle Boarding
2. Paddleboard Type
Paddleboard type has a huge affect on how fast you can paddle. Obviously, racing boards are the fastest. And touring paddleboards are designed to glide efficiently.
Speed slows down considerably with all the other boards. And surfing, yoga and fishing boards are down right slow in the open water.
Ranking Paddleboard Types by Speed
- Racing
- Touring
- All-Arounders
- Surf, Yoga & Fishing
Dig Deeper: Paddle Board Types Explained
3. Paddleboard Size
In general the longer and narrower the paddle board the faster it will glide. Width in particular will affect speed.
So, all things being equal, an 11′ x 30″ All-Arounder with cover a mile faster than a 10’6″ x 34″ All-Arounder.
Dig Deeper: Why You May Be Happier with a Touring Paddle Board
4. Inflatable or Hard Paddleboard
Hard paddle boards cover distance faster than inflatables of the same size.
You will find this out quickly if you paddle an inflatable with a group of friends who own hard paddle boards. You will have to work much harder to keep up over a mile.
Its been estimated hard paddle boards are about 5-6% faster than an equal sized inflatable.
Dig Deeper: Inflatable Paddle Board Pros and Cons
5. Water Conditions
Your going to go slower in choppy conditions. And obviously going with the current will dramatically increase your speed.
6. Wind Conditions
Wind make a huge difference. Paddling into the wind can slow you down to a complete stop.
Downwinding you literally sail across the water. And if the wind is strong enough you don’t even have to paddle.
Dig Deeper: How to Paddle Board in Strong Winds
Summary
As you can see many factors influence the time it take to cover a mile on a paddle board.
30 Minutes
But, in general, an “average” paddler on an all-around hard paddle board in flat water at a leisurely pace can expect to cover a mile on a paddle board in 30 minutes.
Obviously, the best way to determine how fast you can cover a mile is to time yourself on your paddle board.
Dig Deeper: How to Buy Your First Paddle Board
Dig Deeper: Avoiding Risk When Paddle Boarding
