What Size Paddle Board Do I Need?
For the average recreational paddler a 10’6″ to 11′ long paddle board that is 32″ wide is a good place to start
Choosing the right paddle board can seem like a daunting task. With so many sizes and types of paddle boards the options seem endless. What size paddle board should I buy? With a few simple guidelines I will show you how to take the confusion out of buying the right size paddle board.
Recommended Paddle Board Lengths
Under 10’
Good for surfing and kid’s boards
Kids paddle boards are typically 7-9′ long. The smaller size will make the paddle board more agile, easier to paddle and handle better for a smaller weaker person like a child.
Read: Best paddle board for a 10 year old
Beginner surfing sups are often hybrids that can surf waves and cruise flat water. These paddle board are often 10’6″ long. As the board becomes more surfing specific the length will drop. This will increase the mobility of the board making rail to rail turns easier.
Advanced surfing paddle boards can be 7′ long with little volume. These boards take a lot of work to paddle in flat water, but in waves they come alive.
10’6″ to 11’
Good for typical all-around paddling, beginners and for yoga
For recreational all-around leisure paddling use a paddle board that is 10-12′ long depending on the size of the paddler. Most common sizes for beginners and all-around paddlers is 10’6″ or 11′.
If you are a big person or interested in more speed you can go up to 12’6″ in length.
Read: Top picks for mid-priced all-arounds
Yoga paddle boards, like the Nixy Venice, are also in the 10′-12′ range but are wider for more stability. A typical Yoga SUP will be 11′ long x 33-34″ wide.
12’6” to 14′
Good for racing, longer-distance touring (2+ miles), sup camping, better glide and speed
In general the longer the paddle board the faster and easier glide it will have. This means that it will take less effort to paddle a longer board. You will glide longer with each stroke. All paddle boards built for speed or traveling long distances are 12’6″ or longer.
Read: Best inflatable touring paddle boards
How Length Affects Performance
Longer paddle boards glide faster
If you want to go faster and glide easier…go longer (12′-14′)
Do you want to glide fast and easy? Or do you want a nimble agile board that turns easy?
The longer the sup board the faster it will glide. A 12 foot board will always glide faster than a 10 foot board of the same width. However the longer board will not be as maneuverable as a shorter board.
The farther you plan on paddling the more glide you will want. If you are going out for long paddling sessions go with a longer board. Your board will glide easier and faster, taking less effort for you to paddle.
Paddle Board Width
32″ is a good place to start
How Width Affects Performance
Wider paddle boards are more stable but move slower
If you want more stability…go wider (34″ or more)
For many paddlers stability is their main concern. If that is the case for you go with a wider paddle board around 34″.
Beginners benefit from a wider more stable board. If you will be doing some Yoga on your board you want to go wider 33″ or 34″. If you plan on doing a bit of fishing off your SUP go 34+”.
If you want to go faster…go narrower (30″ or less)
But you will lose some stability
If you want to glide easy go narrower. If you are confidant in your balance you can go with a narrower board. A narrower board will move through the water easier than a wider board. If you are paddling longer distances or want to move faster look for a 30″ wide paddle board. It will not be as stable as a 34″ wide board but will glide through the water much faster. Racing paddle boards are as narrow as 24″ for maximum glide.
Maximum Weight Capacity
Buying a paddle board too small for your body weight will negatively affect the performance. You need plenty of float for your weight and any cargo you want to carry. If your paddle board sinks too low in the water it will drag, move slow, take more effort to get moving and feel unstable.
Check the maximum weight limit of any board you are interested in.
It’s really not that complicated. You want a paddle board that will have plenty of buoyancy to float your weight. Check the maximum weight capacity of the board you are interested in. Make sure you are well under the limit.
The average recreational cruiser should range from 10′ to 12′ long and 31′ to 33″ wide. The total weight you will be floating will be the most important factor as to where your board falls within this range.
What is board volume?
Length x Width x Thickness = Volume or Float
Since a paddle board has curves and concave areas you can’t get the volume of a board by multiplying these numbers. Instead the manufacturer will immerse the board in water. The number of liters of water displaced by the board is the volume.
Volume measures the ability of the board to float with weight on it. Volume is the buoyancy of the board. Volume determines how much weight a paddle board can hold.
Volume is an important factor you want to look at when buying a paddle board. You want enough volume to float your weight.
The volume of a paddle board is how much weight it will displace when in the water. Volume is measured in liters because one liter of volume displaces one liter of water. Therefore one liter of volume creates one kg of lift, so one liter of board volume will float one kg of weight.
Since Americans weigh themselves in pounds, to calculate how much volume you need you must convert your weight from lbs. to liters. 1 Liter = 2.2lbs. So divide your weight in lbs by 2.2 and that is your weight in liters.
Why is weight capacity important?
Board volume is an important factor that affects how well the board moves through the water and how stable you feel.
A paddle board that sinks too far down in the water will not be stable. Plus a paddle board that sits too low will drag beneath the surface of the water. It will be hard to paddle, slow and inefficient.
Check the Maximum Weight Capacity for your Paddle Board
The weight capacity of your board is directly related to volume. Maximum weight capacity is a good indicator as to whether a board is right for you. So check the weight limit or maximum weight capacity of the paddle board you are interested in.
But don’t cut it close. Make sure the total weight you will carry on the board is comfortably below the maximum weight capacity. You want surplus to make sure you have plenty of float. Total weight is any gear or another passenger like a dog or kid who may ride on your board with you.
What about beginners?
Beginners who are recreational paddlers want plenty of volume. A good length for a beginner is 10’6″-11′. A good width for a beginner is 32″-34″. The wider the board the more side to side stability, but the slower it will move through the water.
If you are a smaller person with short arms you don’t want to go too wide. With too wide of a board a small person will not be able to paddle with proper technique.
What about very tall paddlers?
A very tall paddler will have a higher center of gravity, so he may have a harder time balancing then a shorter paddler might. So a longer and wider board is a good place to start. You can go wider for extra stability but a wide board will slow down your speed.
That being said a taller paddler will usually weigh more… so it is better to just use weight as the determining factor. I would go with a longer board for more volume. And possibly a wider board if you are really heavy and feel unstable. Try and test paddle a few boards if possible.
