Surf Paddle Board | SUPs Surf

No more lugging around multiple boards for different conditions. With a surf paddle board, you can paddle out through the flat zones and quickly pivot to riding waves when they start rolling in. The unique designs merge features from both paddles and surfboards to create an actual hybrid watercraft.

Get stoked for our line of surf paddle boards! These best stand up paddle boards for surfing are engineered to let you seamlessly transition between cruising on flat water and catching waves.

Can I Use A Paddle board Like A Surfboard?

Yes, you can use a paddle board as a surfboard.

If surfing is going to be your main SUP activity, you'll want a board specialized for surfing. However, if surfing is just something you want to try when opportunities arise, a paddle board with more varied uses will make the most sense.

To surf safely, consider choosing an inflatable stand-up paddle board. These boards offer an excellent surfing experience due to their rigidity and semi-rigid rails at the back that perform well in the waves.

How to Use Stand-Up Paddle Boarding for Surfing

Rather than just flat-water paddling, a skillful paddler should have the foundational knowledge and skills to effectively and responsibly take their SUP out and use it to surf waves. Here is a guide for using stand up paddle boards for surfing to catch waves.

1. Use Suitable Equipment for Stand-up Paddle Surfers

Stand-up paddlers often start with a beginner or occasional touring board, but you'll need a specialized stand up paddle board surf board to catch waves. These boards are short and wide and have a pronounced rocker in the front to prevent plowing into the wave, with sharp rails at the back for stability. For safety, consider choosing an inflatable surf paddle board. These stand up paddle surf boards offer good surfing performance and can help prevent injury if you fall on or hit the board. Regarding the paddle, you can use the one you have, but consider adjusting its length to be about 6 to 8 inches taller than your height for better maneuverability.

2. Skills for Tackle the Waves with Confidence

Below is step-by-step guidance for safely entering the surf zone and positioning oneself to catch waves when using a surf stand up paddle board.

• Identify your stance: Discover whether you're "regular" (right foot back) or "goofy" (left foot back) by letting yourself fall backward from a standing position. The foot you instinctively use to stabilize is your back foot on the board, applicable to surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding.
• Observe the environment: Before entering the water, assess the waves, identify calm spots for easier passage beyond the breakers, and note the positions of other surfers. This helps in choosing the best entry point and avoiding crowded areas.
• Navigate the breakers: Paddle vigorously to move past small and larger waves. For waves up to chest height, maintain your position on the board, using your paddle for stability and leveraging your back foot to lift the board over waves. Protect your face from potential impacts. For larger waves, dive under with your paddle and re-emerge to continue.
• Positioning at the peak: Once past the breaking waves and at the peak where waves are yet to break, pause to assess the waves again. This lets you choose the optimal take-off spot, ensuring a better surfing experience.

3. Respect Surfing Rules for a Safe and Enjoyable Experience

The etiquette and right-of-way rules that surfers should follow to share waves safely and avoid conflicts in the surf zone while having surf paddle board sessions are as follows:

• The surfer riding a wave has the right of way over the one heading back to the peak.
• The surfer who catches a wave first has the right of way.
• If two surfers take the same wave, the one closest to the breaking point has priority.
• If another surfer joins your wave, signal your presence by shouting "YEP YEP YEP".
• Remember to choose less crowded peaks to avoid conflicts and always remain vigilant.

What to Consider When Purchasing a SUP for Surfing?

When finding the best surf paddle board, paddlers should consider length, width, and stability. Surf SUP takes you to the waves and makes it easier to catch them. A longer, broader, and heavier board will provide more stability for beginners. Conversely, surfboards for advanced surfers are usually shorter, narrower boards that offer better maneuverability and are designed to handle big waves but will allow less stability in choppy conditions.

About the bottom contours, features like rocker, concave, and channels affect how the board handles waves. A higher rocker improves performance in larger waves, while concave channels can enhance speed and control.

FAQs

Below are the answers to several common questions regarding purchasing a surf paddle board.

1. Should I get a SUP board with one or three fins?

Single fin boards are generally faster due to reduced drag, while the presence of three fins leads to increased drag and slower speed. Single-fin boards have lower lateral stability, whereas three-fin boards offer improved lateral stability, which is advantageous in rough waters.

2. What should you not do while surfing?

• Avoid crowded areas while learning to surf to prevent accidents.
• Stay away from swimming areas and surf between the flags to ensure safety for yourself and others.
• Practice in the whitewash or waves closer to shore until you are confident in your skills and board control.
• Respect other surfers by not dropping in on their waves or cutting them off.
• Always be a responsible surfer by following rules and respecting and caring for the environment.

3. How do I know what size surf paddle board I need?

If surfers want a leaner build, they should choose a surfing paddle board length that matches their height. Larger surfers might prefer a board that is 4-6 inches longer, or they can request a custom paddle surfing board that is 2 inches longer than their height, with the shaper adding extra foam for increased buoyancy throughout the board.

4. What makes a surf paddle board easy to paddle?

Your everyday shortboard is typically wider and thicker than a high-performance paddle board surfboard. It features a fuller nose and/or tail and a flatter rocker, making it easier to paddle and catch waves effortlessly.

5. How do you find the sweet spot on a surfboard?

To find the sweet spot on a surf paddle board, stand in the center of the board where it feels balanced and stable. Typically, this is where the handle is located. Your feet should be about shoulder-width apart, and the board should glide smoothly on the water without tipping forward or backward. Adjust your position slightly until you find the most stable and responsive spot.