To avoid buying the wrong board that is unsuitable for your needs, you will have to choose the best board for your weight, your level, your schedule, your possibilities of keeping it and keeping it.

a) Here are our tips to help you choose the right Stand Up Paddle for your weight:

1) Basic rule to maintain stability: the choice of volume and width of your SUP depends on your weight. The higher it is, the greater the volume and width of the SUP should be.

2) Beware of excesses: a small person in terms of weight and height will have difficulty paddling on a board that is too big for him and a SUP that is too big could be too heavy/bulky.

3) If you are looking for a SUP that can then be used by several people, it is better to opt for a larger model in any case: a person of smaller build can always use a larger board, while the opposite is not true.

4) The thickness of an inflatable is even more important than everything else including size (length and width) as thickness has an effect on the water but also feels firmer - everyone needs and wants a paddle that is as stiff as possible. Thick decks are stiffer, but too much thickness reduces responsiveness.

The RSS (Rocker stiffing System) from Valwix Paddle SUP allows to increase the stiffness up to 40%. It works by inserting stiffening rods along the rails of the board. The ribs then counteract the force with which the paddling rider pushes down to produce a rigid board, preventing flex. The stiffening strips are removable, so you can fold the SUP to put it in the carry bag to and from the water.

For example, a 100mm board with RSS has the same stiffness as a 120mm SUP, but the maneuverability of a 100mm.

So, our advice to help you choose a SUP board according to your level and schedule, there are eight main categories of SUP boards: allround (versatile), touring (hiking), race (competition), yoga, river, fishing, windsurfing and wave (or surfing):

1) All-rounder:

They are versatile models designed to navigate in any condition. They are boards suitable for beginners, as all the SUP activities can be practiced on a single board. They are wide enough, thus guaranteeing good stability, a good level of pace and good directionality in flat water or at sea. The swing usually allows good surfing performance.

2) Tours:

These boards are designed for long rides on flat water or downwind (downwind). They are sufficiently wide (therefore they give stability) and long boards to make them faster and easier to steer. The front has a V-shaped hull to glide better on the water. Quite stable, it is a suitable board for beginners.

3) Races:

Race boards are mainly designed to go fast, in fact the longer the Stand Up Paddle is, the better it glides on the water, and the faster it will go. Race SUPs come in standard lengths between 12'6 or 14' (14 feet)

In competition and during competitions, the most commonly used is the 12'6. So if you plan to race this is the best. The narrower the board, the faster it will go (because it has less surface area), but the less stable it will be.

Too narrow: whoever paddles is constantly looking for balance and could fall, will therefore be slower than someone with an excellent balance on the board.

Too wide: if the paddler never falls, he probably has a board that is too wide.

4) Yoga:

SUP yoga are stand up paddles born to combine the fun of paddling on the water with the need to feel fit with fitness and yoga. These boards are usually larger, more stable and equipped with a bungee system. SUP Yoga will help you keep your balance and improve your posture on the water both in the sea and in the lake.

5) Rivers:

Riverboards are very durable and stable SUPs with specific fins that last through all your whitewater racing, extreme or not.

6) Fishing:

Paddle boards intended for the practice of fishing with boards of optimized length and width. These SUPs are very stable so you can fish and use many fishing rods at the same time.

7) SUP boards with sail (windsurfing):

This is an option found on some allround boards fitted with a mast foot box which allows for the fitting of a windsurf rig.

8) Wave Surfing:

Boards intended specifically for surfing are often short, exhibiting a narrower nose and tail (tail) and more rocker (curves). These characteristics make them more maneuverable in waves, but also slower and less directional on flat surfaces. They are also less stable.