Ready to get on the water? Smith recommends having these essentials with you to make for a safe and enjoyable experience: Tandem boards for two are a fun option on which you can take the whole family and a picnic on one board, but they’re too heavy to paddle on your own.” Remember that all our estimated delivery times are quoted in "working days". Weekends and bank holidays are not included in estimated timescales.

Also, just like when running, you can choose your pace and duration while paddle boarding, so you always have the option to turn a leisure paddle into an endurance event and get that intense workout and increased heart rate, Smith says. Just be careful not to overdo it if it’s your first time paddling, so you’re not too sore at the end of the day. Although I’m taller and heavier than them, I found I was also able to keep my balance – although it was less stable for me than a 10ft 6in,. The pointed shape of the nose and tail makes it easy to turn, so it’s a good investment for juniors who are building up their confidence. Wear a buoyancy aid or an airbelt personal floatation device (PFD) when you paddle,” says Taylor. “It is like wearing a seat belt in your car, you don’t expect to need it, but you wear it just in case.” Finding the right inflatable paddle board can seem like a daunting task,” says qualified coach Jo Taylor, co-founder of Paddle Cabin on the River Medway. “But an all-rounder board is a great way to get started. They’re wide (generally around 30 to 34 inches), stable and easy to turn. We teach beginners on Red Paddle Co ‘Ride’ boards which are 10ft 6in long and 32 inches wide. They’re super stable and sturdy for paddlers of all weights, abilities, and balance.”The paddle slots together, the fin slides in and the leash attaches very easily. Then you attach the pump….. OK so there is no gain without pain. The pain for an inflatable SUP it seems is pumping, be prepared for this bit to take a while with the GUL pump. 5 mins of sweat later you realise maybe the gym is a good idea after all. The board should get to around 12PSI, my first attempt fell well short of this, maybe 8PSI. It does get easier. However, there are plenty of all-rounder boards that'll see you comfortable taking on the challenges and enjoying the pleasures of SUP life without compromising on much at all.

Beginner boards tend to be super-stable, which does compromise speed and wave handling but are much more tractable for casual use. If you're planning extended trips around the coast, then choosing a dual-chamber touring style board adds an essential layer of safety, too, something that isn't as useful in the surf and closes inshore.

Our Verdict

Super Reinforced dropstitch core increases yarn density resulting in high tensile strength which can withstand pressures up to 20PSI Large, super stable and available for a good price, the Two Bare Feet Entradia 10’ 10” is one of the best SUP boards for beginners and bigger paddlers on the market, but it’s more than just that. It’s tons of fun even for more experienced paddlers, especially if conditions are lumpy or if you have small family members that want to get on board. The kit is really nicely put together too. Gul wanted to be able to upgrade the single layer board, by removing the base glue process from the second (double) layer. This additional glue process has always been messy and very time consuming. So instead of gluing GUL coats the thread structure with a layer of adhesive that has been specially formulated to create both a seal and bond once laminated to high density PVC- completely removing the human factor involved in traditional double layer application.

One of the draws of paddle boarding is that you can enjoy it in any body of water, from big oceans to small lakes. And it’s a great workout you can do outdoors. What are the benefits of paddle boarding for runners? Then came standing up, to this day after many more outings I have never fallen off the board. Dinghy sailing and skiing, my two favourite sports involve a level of balance so I know I am not a total disaster at staying upright but certainly very far from a gymnast. If the kayak is unwanted, it is your responsibility to arrange and pay for the return to our base in Truro, Cornwall. The kayak can be returned to us by a courier of your choice however, due to the size, weight and handling difficulties, couriers do charge a considerably larger fee compared to a standard small parcel. Because paddle boarding is a low-impact activity, it’s also great for individuals who deal with arthritis or are recovering from an injury, Smith says.There are many different types of blow-up paddle boards, so as well as your ability-level it’s worth considering whether you’ll be paddling on flat water like lakes, touring long distances with lots of kit, racing or trying SUP yoga. It’s important that you have the paddle fitted for your height. Most paddles are adjustable, too. Smith suggests placing the paddle blade in front of your toes, with the paddle handle up, and reaching one arm up so that your palm and fingertips can curl over the top of the T-grip. “You want your second hand to be halfway down the shaft of the paddle.” If you’re interested in stretching sore muscles, you can also consider trying yoga on a stand up paddle board. “All yoga poses are much more challenging on the paddle board. If you’re an avid yogi you might be surprised at how so many of your most familiar poses become even more dynamic and brand new by the addition of the unstable surface of the paddle board,” Smith says. A 10ft 6in or 10ft 8in length board with a width of 30 to 34 inches is generally the most popular size for beginners, and for the whole family to enjoy. Is it OK to leave an inflatable paddle board inflated? The next big outing was with a friend on the east coast where the water is more murky, the waves are short chop and the bottom is more mud and grave than Cornish sand. Similarly I had a wobble and style judges would have awarded me 2 out of 10 max.