Best Stand Up Paddle Board for a Woman

Best Stand Up Paddle Board for a Woman

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I am a woman that purchases paddle boards. But gone are the days when I felt comfortable trusting my purchasing decisions to well-meaning salespeople who didn’t have experience. I decided to set out researching for myself the best stand up paddle board for a woman before I spent the money on a new board.

The more I learn about SUPs, the more I realize how important it is that buyers know what they looking for. There are a number of factors you need to consider, as a woman, when purchasing a board.  By the end of this article, you should have a good grasp of what you need to look for in a SUP!

Table of Contents

How Should I Choose a SUP?

This is a loaded question because there are so many different aspects to consider. In this section, we will talk about a few of the most important: activity, material, and size.

Activity

There are quite a few specialized stand up paddleboards. That’s why it’s important to know what activity you want to use your board for. Whether to increase your health or catch your dinner, here are a few of the most popular:

 

  • Surf: Surf SUPs are made for paddling the salty waves! These boards shred while staying highly maneuverable. They are more stable than surfboards due to their greater width, but not as stable as other SUPs. These are recommended for intermediate to advanced.

 

  • Race: Taking your paddleboard out for a race is nothing new. If you want to go fast in downwinders or the ocean, this may be your kind of board! These SUPs are longer to increase speed and can be used professionally or recreationally.

 

  • Touring: Do you like high intensity? Are you planning to go long distances on flat water? The touring paddleboard was created to go farther at faster speeds. Despite the ease of gliding, you will get a fantastic workout with this type of SUP.

 

  • Yoga: This kind of board is specially designed for exercising on flat water. It is wider and more stable than the other SUPs. Not to mention the added deck pad for even more balance. The Tower Inflatable is a fantastic stand up board for yoga. More on that later.

 

  • Fishing: If you want to stay dry, try a fishing paddleboard. They have the most volume of all the SUPs and were created to keep fisherpeople out of the water! Mounts are included so you can bring your gear and personalize your experience.

 

  • All Around: This is the most common type of paddleboard. All around SUPs were created to tackle a little bit of every activity. They are good for helping beginners learn. Our favorite is the THURSO SURF Waterwalker which we will review later.

Materials

There are 2 types of materials common to stand up boards: inflatable (usually PVC) versus solid (usually epoxy or carbon fiber). Here is a quick rundown of the benefits and drawbacks:

Inflatable Pros:

  • Great for first timers
  • Lighter to carry back and forth from the water
  • Easier to store
  • Easier to transport
  • Less expensive
  • Softer for better workouts and yoga

Inflatable Cons:

  • Harder to paddle
  • Slower
  • Worse for longer distances

Epoxy Pros:

  • Faster speed
  • Smoother glide
  • Greater maneuverability
  • More stable
  • Tracks better in the surf
  • Better overall performance

Epoxy Cons:

  • Cumbersome
  • Require a roof rack (can be an expensive add-on)
  • Require storage space as long as the board

Size

The final, but by no means less important, factor is size. In this case, we are referring to the board’s length, width, and thickness. These 3 things are what determine the volume and weight capacity of the SUP.

The volume is the paddleboard’s ability to float while supporting you, your dog, your kids, or your gear. The greater the volume, the higher the weight capacity. As someone who loves to workout on my board, I recommend purchasing well in your weight limit.

The world of paddleboard sizing is intricate, but it’s easier than it seems.

The Best Stand Up Paddle Board for a Woman

#1. Best for Shorter Women: SereneLife Premium Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard

 If you are a height challenged person, you want to purchase a board that reflects this. Introducing SereneLife’s Premium Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard. At 10-feet 5 inches long and 30 inches wide, this blow-up SUP weighs 30 pounds.

The Premium is 6 inches thick and can hold up to 250 pounds. This is a seriously stable board, so using it for yoga is not out of the question. In fact, the wider deck makes it easier for beginners to learn balance and technique. Even the top is cushioned and non-slip!

This kit comes stocked with an ankle leash for safety, aluminum paddle, storage bag, and manual air pump.

#2. Most Durable: Tower Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard


Anyone familiar with the company Tower Paddle Boards knows they make some of the most durable inflatable SUPs on the market. They are so confident in their product, they have thrown them off buildings and run over them with cars!

The double layer exterior and drop-stitch construction mean you can forget about dents as you ride the rocky rapids. The board is 10 feet and 4 inches long with a whopping 32 inches of deck space! At 6 inches thick, this Tower’s weight capacity is 300 pounds.

This SUP comes with a manual air pump, fiberglass paddle, deck pad, hand hold strap, removable fin, and roll up carry straps. It weighs 36 pounds.

#3. Best All Around: THURSO SURF Waterwalker

 In terms of all around use, the THURSO SURF Waterwalker takes the cake! This paddleboard weighs a measly 24 pounds, yet can hold up to 380 pounds at 20 psi. The dimensions are 10-feet and 6 inches long, 32 inches wide, and 6 inches thick. The volume is 250 liters.

The Waterwalker is the first inflatable SUP that combines a touring and all around design for greater stability and trackability. The board itself is made of two layers of PVC coated tarpaulin on top of a PVC drop-stitch core. That’s one strong paddleboard!

As far as extras go, the Waterwalker comes with 3 removable fins, carbon shaft paddle, pump, leash, deck pad, and backpack.

One Final Word on Women’s Paddleboards

When looking for your next SUP, the most important things to think about are activity, materials, and size. As women, we have to be careful to buy according to our size, storage space, carrying capacity, and wants and needs. This is one purchase you don’t want to regret!

What type of paddleboard do you prefer? What SUP would you add to the list? Women and men, what do you consider before you buy a board?

I hope you learned a lot about the best stand up paddle board for a woman. If you liked this article, be sure to share!

Have a board you love? COMMENT BELOW and let us know!

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