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Checkout out our new post on the Best 2016 Beginner SUP Boards.
Best 2016 Beginner SUP Boards
Now that you’ve become a regular at your local rental facility, you are realizing the fees are adding up. Maybe it’s time to take a look at the best 2014 beginner SUP boards. When looking to buy that first board, you want to look for a few things:
- a board that will be stable
- easy to maneuver
- priced right
- something you can grow on
Stand up paddle boarding is something you can pick up fast so you don’t want to buy a cheap board that you will outgrow in a season. You want something that will be easy to ride now and fun to ride in the future. For more general information on SUP gear basics you should read our guides on how to buy a stand up paddle board or understanding the tech behind stand up paddle boards that go more in detail on what makes SUPs different from one another. For this article, we’ve hand picked some of our best 2014 beginner SUP boards that we recommend to those looking to jump into that first purchase.
Riviera – Select Soft Top SUP Board
One board that we love for beginners is the Riviera Select Soft Top. Really, great for any paddler, but awesome for beginners thanks to it’s excellent stability and high durability. This isn’t your average soft top, either. The Riviera Select Soft Top has a bamboo sandwich construction making it super lightweight and kevlar re-enforced rails that can handle being whacked by the paddle or slammed into a dock, which is bound to happen. Plus, the full soft deck pad is great for those that are interested in SUP yoga, paddlers that may have a furry friend on board or added protection on wipe outs. Losing your balance and landing on a soft top is much less painful than slamming on fiberglass. Available in 10’6″ with a 32″ width and 11’6″ with a 33″ width, there is a perfect fit for any first timer.
Riviera – Series SUP Board
Hands down, our best selling entry level boards come from the Riviera Series collection. Pretty much everything you need in a paddle board and nothing you don’t. The Riviera Series has a bamboo sandwich construction making it s very lightweight, kevlar rails for durability for the occasional ding and an ergonomic handle making them super easy to carry. They also come in some great color combos. Varying in width from 32″-33″, the Series boards are stable, easy to paddle and pretty darn good looking. The Riviera Series boards are available in 10’6″ or 11’6″ and offer some serious benefits for a very reasonable price.
Bic Sport – Dura-Tec SUP Board
The name says it all. For the beginner looking for serious durability (we are talking near bullet-proof), look no further than the Bic Dura-Tec SUP Boards. For the family with the lake house looking for the board that any relative will be able to get on and paddle, the Bic Dura-Tec SUP is the answer. The polyethylene outer shell is near indestructible, the polyurethane core is water tight and supportive and the diamond grooves on the deck pad make for a stable footing area. If you are looking for a starter board that can handle a beating, this board is a great choice. The Bic Dura-Tec is available in 10’4″ and 11’4″ sizes.
C4 Waterman – Da Beachboy SUP Board
Not only a great beginner board, the C4 Beachboy is possibly our most favorite all around SUP board. This big boy can handle riders up to 300 lbs making it super stable for any rider. With a 32″ width and almost 5″ thick in the rails, any rider (and we mean any) can get on this board and paddle no matter their experience level. Despite the high volume, this board only weighs 23 lbs! The other bonus is this board comes in at just 10’6″ so it’s very easy to maneuver and transport which is a plus for newbies. Learning turns and other techniques is easy thanks to the perfect length of this board.
Naish – Nalu 10’10” SUP Board
The Naish Nalu lineup is a diverse line of different size boards that are great for all-around paddling. Within that line, the 10’10” size comes with some features that make it a great beginner stand up paddle board. The 10’10” Naish Nalu is 32″ wide, making it wider than the rest of the boards in the Nalu line. Plus, the multi-concave channel on the bottom of the board channels water to help you track straighter. Add the recessed deck pad for even more stability and you have a killer ride that anyone can enjoy. The Nalu lineup comes in GT and GS constructions. Click into either product to learn more about these two different constructions.
Naish – Mana Soft Top SUP Board
If you are looking to learn to paddle, or maybe even learn to paddle surf, the Naish Mana Soft Top is the perfect choice. With an almost 34″ width, this board is as stable as they get. The full soft deck pad is not only great for comfort but also great for tandem paddle sessions or trying out SUP yoga. The Mana is designed with a wider outline and flat rocker making it very easy to paddle for riders of any skill level. Plus, the reinforced rails make this board almost indestructible.
Naish – Mana Air SUP Board
One of our favorite inflatables that is perfect for beginners is the Naish Mana Air. Available in both 10’0″ and 11’6″ sizes, the Naish Mana Air is the perfect size for every rider. Easy to store, great for travel and a shape that is perfect for any beginner. Both sizes come in a 33″ width and at 6″ thick making balancing on this board easier than ever. Note that many inflatable SUP boards are great for beginners. Look at our favorite inflatable SUP boards for 2014 if you are looking for more inflatable options.
We certainly hope this list makes your search for the right board a little easier. For more detailed info or for more options, call us at 888.706.0090, live chat us or send us a message and we will get back to you. See you on the water!