Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Differences Between Inflatable SUPs and Regular Boards

By Paul Callahan


If you are looking to learn the sport of paddleboarding, you have probably looked into buying equipment. Having your own gear can be pricey to purchase, but will wind up costing less in the long run since you can avoid high board rental charges.

There are several different paddleboard designs you can get, including inflatable. Boards that are inflated have a number of benefits, but there are a few disadvantages. These types of boards are designed with a specific individual in mind who will appreciate the benefits and not mind the disadvantages. Let's have a look at how they are different.

Ease in Transporting Them

Inflatable SUPs can be deflated and transported in a medium sized bag. This means that sports enthusiasts do not need to load a big board on the top of their cars. They can additionally be transported on planes without requiring a large cost generally charged for oversized luggage.

Since they can be rolled up into a smaller, more compact size, these boards can be easily locked in a car, carried on one's back and stowed without using up much area. Conventional fiberglass boards do not offer these advantages. People who have a gear rack on their car, adequate storage area and no need to secure their boards while transporting them, this might not cause an issue.

Work Needed to Pump up the Board

Inflatable SUPs typically require a manual hand pump to be inflated. This can take between 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the strength of the person doing the inflating. Pumping air into a paddleboard takes effort, and for some small ladies, it can be a workout. Fiberglass boards naturally do not require this added work, and some people like the benefit of not needing to continually inflate and deflate their gear.

Maneuverability

The firmness of inflatable boards differs. In general, the less expensive boards have a lower psi inflation, and for that reason are less firm. This means that they can bounce more in rough water or waves. For novices, this can feel more unstable. For people paddling on lakes or various other flat water places, they may not be able to notice a difference and as a result not care.

Traditional boards can provide a more streamlined trip and increased maneuverability. Paddlers desiring a fast board that is simpler to turn and move (ie those who want to race or do regular workouts) are more likely to choose a fiberglass board rather than the inflatable kind, which are more tailored towards the recreational paddler or someone thinking about yoga paddleboard classes.

From my experience and research, inflatable SUPs do not leak air very often. Even so, the majority of models have a patch kit just in case. These boards appear and feel like a fiberglass board to individuals not familiar with the various types of boards, and most newbie purchasers are thrilled at their performance.

When buying, it is smart to compare the features of different options along with prices, so you can get an SUP that you enjoy.




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