UPDATE: Looking for the latest Beginner Stand Up Paddle Board review?
Checkout out our new post on the Best 2016 Beginner SUP Boards.

Best 2016 Beginner SUP Boards

Just like the rest of us, you’ve recently fallen deeply in love, with your favorite new hobby – stand up paddle boarding. When you come to the realization that this infatuation is very real, and not going anywhere, it might be time to give in to those emotions and make yourself the proud owner of your very own SUP board. Now comes the hard part, choosing the perfect stand up paddle board for you.

If you are like most SUP fanatics, you want one board that can do it all. A versatile board that can perform equally well in both flat water and choppy / wave conditions. A board that is easy to use, and a board that your skills can grow with. The good news is, there are some killer boards out there – in a great range of prices – that really can do it all, and satisfy every SUP fanatic in your family. In this article I will give you a run down of our favorite ‘all-around’ SUP boards for spring 2013, and we promise that one will be perfect for you.

Rogue All Waters 10′, 11′, 12′

Rogue Triton at Windward BoardshopRogue U'I at Windward Boardshop

Appropriately named, the All Waters collection from Rogue is the perfect example of a killer all around stand up paddle board. Built to perform well on both flat water conditions and surf up to head high. With a slight rocker in the nose and double concave rocker thru the tail, these boards will track straight in choppy conditions and feel very stable thanks to the 30″ width. Cruising on the lake, a long afternoon paddle on the lagoon or surfing some smaller waves – the All Waters are ready to get the job done. Each board in the All Waters collection is available in a 10′, 11′ and 12′ size and with all the great graphics available we are sure you will find one that is just perfect for you.

Naish Nalu (GS & GT)

Naish Nalu GS at Windward Boardshop

Naish Nalu GT at Windward Boardshop

Arguably the most sought after board in the entire Naish family, the Nalu is the total package when it comes to quality, versatility and all around awesomeness. The 30″ width and thicker rails give great stability while the overall narrow shape glides quickly thru the water for a smooth, fast paddle. The single concave rocker in the nose keeps the front of the board up and out of the chop while the double concave mid section helps track water under the board for a smooth feeling glide on top of the water. Like to surf a little too? So does the Nalu. With their roots in Hawaii, the Nalu was born to paddlesurf and is fun in smaller waves as well.  The Nalu board is available in two different constructions – the GS has a molded EPS foam core with wood reinforcement in the stance area, creating a rigid platform for the rider. The GT model has the same core but instead of only having the wood reinforcement under the deck pad, the GT offers a wood ‘sandwich’ construction, with the wood reinforcement running the entire length of the board – on top and bottom. This makes the GT lighter, extremely rigid and very durable.

Naish Glide

Naish Glide at Windward Boardshop

The most versatile board in Naish’s touring / racing category is the perfectly sized 12’0 Glide. Adventure touring, choppy days on the lake, and even small surf – the Glide is built to do a little bit of everything, and do it really well. The displacement hull will slice thru the water with ease while the pronounced double concave bottom will help you track straight and ‘glide’ smoothly over the water. This board also has a 31″ width, offering even beginner paddlers a stable, wide platform for a comfortable stance – and a stable footbed for the more experienced paddler looking to hit some higher speeds. Beginners looking to tour or advanced paddlers looking for something versatile and fast – the 12’0 Glide has just what you are looking for.

Bic Classic 11’0, 11’6

Bic Classic 11'0 at Windward BoardshopBic Classic 11'6 at Windward Boardshop

With a timeless look and updated construction, the Bic Classic is back and better than ever. Built tough with a durable (and amazing looking) full bamboo deck, this board has an authentic longboard design which performs well in both flat water and surf. Lightweight and very durable, the Classic is reinforced with a wood stringer making this board extra rigid for a sturdy feel under your feet and also comes with a premium deck pad that’s brand new for this spring. Weighing just 31 lbs with the 11’6 and only 29 lbs for the 11’0, this new construction makes these new boards much easier to lug around and extra buoyant in the water. This is a perfect all around stand up paddle board that anyone in the family can jump on and enjoy and, let’s be honest, this puppy’s gonna look really good hanging on your wall in the off season.

C4 iSUP CMAC ATB 10’6

C4 ATB iSUP CMAC at windward Boardshop

Yes, an inflatable paddle board is absolutely making this list. Not only is the ATB iSUP C4’s longest running inflatable, it also holds the title of the most purchased iSUP to date. With a tough-as-nails dropstitch construction, this board feels much more rigid than you might expect and paddles just like a hard topped board. ATB stands for all-terrain board and that’s exactly what this board is built to handle – glassy mornings, choppy afternoons, playful waves – you name it, the ATB can do it. And the best part of this do it all board? It rolls up into a large backpack that can be taken anywhere you want to go. Jumping on a flight? Check it. Road trip? Toss it in the trunk. No more lugging around a clunky 11 foot board, switch to an inflatable and you can essentially have your board with you at all times! Checkout our guide on the best 2013 inflatable stand up paddle boards to get an idea of what is out there.

I certainly hope you enjoyed this little round up. I believe if you are going to make the investment in your own paddle board, you really need to be sure it’s going to do all the things you want it to do – and the boards above are about as versatile as it gets. Good luck in finalizing that decision and we will see you on the water!

UPDATE: Looking for the latest Beginner Stand Up Paddle Board review?
Checkout out our new post on the Best 2016 Beginner SUP Boards.

Best 2016 Beginner SUP Boards

2016-05-05T13:19:15-05:00