Inflatable SUP (iSUP) Knowledge
Inflatable paddleboards have transformed the sport, but not all iSUPs are created equal. Explore in-depth guides covering design, construction, care, performance and buying advice to better understand what makes a great inflatable SUP and choose the right one for your paddling.
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Part 1: Choosing the Right iSUP
Start by understanding the fundamentals of inflatable paddleboards. Learn how to choose the right size, shape and construction, compare iSUPs with hard boards and discover the features that make one inflatable better suited to your paddling than another.
So, you’ve got the 32” wide isup at the moment and you’re looking to buy your first hard board to upgrade your quiver. What width are you going to settle...
Pro
How Wide Should My Hard Board Be Compared To My iSUP? / Dropping Width
So, you’ve got the 32” wide isup at the moment and you’re looking to buy your first hard board to upgrade your quiver. What width are you going to settle...
Preview LessonIn this SUPboarder PRO video, we explain the pros and cons of the different nose profiles and rocker lines found in inflatable SUPs. Our 2021 iSUP Touring Head To Head Test...
Pro
iSUP Nose Profile & Rocker Line Explained
In this SUPboarder PRO video, we explain the pros and cons of the different nose profiles and rocker lines found in inflatable SUPs. Our 2021 iSUP Touring Head To Head Test...
Preview Lesson
In this SUPboarder Pro video Jonny Hebert talks hard noses on iSUPs, and whether they are something that will make our paddling experience easier and more enjoyable.
Pro
Hard Nose cones on iSUP’s… Do they work? Jonny tells all / SUPboarder Pro
In this SUPboarder Pro video Jonny Hebert talks hard noses on iSUPs, and whether they are something that will make our paddling experience easier and more enjoyable.
Preview Lesson
Surfing an iSUP (inflatable SUP) is great fun and it's a great way to get into the surfing side of SUP. But there are definitely some things you can do...
Free
How to SUP Videos / Surfing an iSUP
Surfing an iSUP (inflatable SUP) is great fun and it's a great way to get into the surfing side of SUP. But there are definitely some things you can do...
Start Lesson
Inflatable or hard board? We compared a JP-Australia Hybrid (hard) & CrusiAir iSUP
Start Lesson
Part 2: Understanding iSUP Design & Ownership
Take a deeper look at how inflatable paddleboards are built, maintained and designed. Explore construction methods, stiffness, repair, storage and the design features that influence performance and long-term durability.
Do you know if your inflatable paddleboard is good value and at an acceptable quality level for the price you paid for it? Or are there certain quality issues on...
Pro
Is the quality of your iSUP acceptable for the price? / What to look out for in 2022
Do you know if your inflatable paddleboard is good value and at an acceptable quality level for the price you paid for it? Or are there certain quality issues on...
Preview Lesson
We put the Red Paddle Co Voyager V-hull Voyager head to head with a previous season flat hull Voyager to try to find out if the V-hull does what Red...
Pro
Red Paddle Co’s V-hull – Does it work?
We put the Red Paddle Co Voyager V-hull Voyager head to head with a previous season flat hull Voyager to try to find out if the V-hull does what Red...
Preview Lesson
In this SUPboarder Pro video, we discuss the different fin box types that you find on stand up paddle boards and the pros and cons associated with each type. When...
Pro
SUP Fin Box Types
In this SUPboarder Pro video, we discuss the different fin box types that you find on stand up paddle boards and the pros and cons associated with each type. When...
Preview LessonHave you ever wondered why inflatable paddleboards have different stiffnesses and what is really going on beneath your feet? Most of us know that the more air you put in...
Pro
The fundamentals of iSUP Stiffness – what affects it?… & more / SUP Tech talk
Have you ever wondered why inflatable paddleboards have different stiffnesses and what is really going on beneath your feet? Most of us know that the more air you put in...
Preview LessonThe inflatable paddleboard is being used by hundreds of thousands of paddlers as both a first time intro board to the sport, as well as a more specialist board. They...
Pro
The real world negatives to iSUPs / How to video
The inflatable paddleboard is being used by hundreds of thousands of paddlers as both a first time intro board to the sport, as well as a more specialist board. They...
Preview Lesson
In this SUPboarder Pro video we look at the TripStix 10' All Round inflatable board. The questions we ask and try to answer in this video are... Does it surf...
Pro
TripStix 10′ All Round / Not your normal iSUP!
In this SUPboarder Pro video we look at the TripStix 10' All Round inflatable board. The questions we ask and try to answer in this video are... Does it surf...
Preview Lesson2019 has seen a larger number of surf iSUPs available on the market. And also, more developments towards reducing the performance gap between surf iSUPs and hard composite surf shapes...
Pro
We chat surf iSUPs / Past, present and future
2019 has seen a larger number of surf iSUPs available on the market. And also, more developments towards reducing the performance gap between surf iSUPs and hard composite surf shapes...
Preview LessonIn this SUPboarder Pro video Will talks about why many iSUPs have tail runners at the back of the board, how tail runners work on iSUPs and if they're something...
Pro
We talk about tail runners / edge releases on your iSUP / What do they do & why?
In this SUPboarder Pro video Will talks about why many iSUPs have tail runners at the back of the board, how tail runners work on iSUPs and if they're something...
Preview LessonPart 3: Performance & Choosing the Right iSUP
Discover how different design features affect the way an iSUP performs on the water. Compare inflatable and hard boards, explore specialist iSUP designs and learn which features matter most for different paddling styles.
"What can I expect from a hard or 'real' raceboard?" is a question many paddlers are asking. Maybe you have an iSUP race shape already and are thinking of switching...
Pro
What can I expect from a ‘real’ raceboard! / iSUP vs Hard
"What can I expect from a hard or 'real' raceboard?" is a question many paddlers are asking. Maybe you have an iSUP race shape already and are thinking of switching...
Preview LessonIf you're unsure what SUP volume is, how it effects your board and how to compare it to your body weight, then this is a simple way to understand about...
Free
What is SUP volume? / How to video
If you're unsure what SUP volume is, how it effects your board and how to compare it to your body weight, then this is a simple way to understand about...
Start LessonWith well over a hundred brands in the iSUP world, and pretty much all of them making inflatable SUPs for surfing, there really is a colour and price point board...
Free
What makes the best surf iSUP?
With well over a hundred brands in the iSUP world, and pretty much all of them making inflatable SUPs for surfing, there really is a colour and price point board...
Start LessonWhat thickness iSUP is best?... It's a good question and one we get asked a lot at SUPboarder. But it's not that simple and not just a case of saying 'that...
Free
What thickness iSUP is best? Pros and cons
What thickness iSUP is best?... It's a good question and one we get asked a lot at SUPboarder. But it's not that simple and not just a case of saying 'that...
Start Lesson
Just where do you start?! ... If you are looking at buying an iSUP in 2019 there's a massive choice of boards out there at all kinds of price points....
Pro
Where do you start?! Buying an iSUP in 2019
Just where do you start?! ... If you are looking at buying an iSUP in 2019 there's a massive choice of boards out there at all kinds of price points....
Preview LessonKnowing which iSUP to buy can be a hard decison to make, with more then 100 inflatable paddleboards on the market and prices varying from £250 - £1000. Going with...
Pro
Which iSUP to buy, cheap or expensive? / How to video
Knowing which iSUP to buy can be a hard decison to make, with more then 100 inflatable paddleboards on the market and prices varying from £250 - £1000. Going with...
Preview Lesson
Hi I’m Reuben from SUPboarder And in this video I’m going to explain what things you should consider when deciding whether to buy & paddle an inflatable or hard/composite SUP....
Free
Inflatable or hard SUP… what’s best for you?
Hi I’m Reuben from SUPboarder And in this video I’m going to explain what things you should consider when deciding whether to buy & paddle an inflatable or hard/composite SUP....
Start LessonIn this PRO video, Beau Nixon dissects the differences between inflatable and hard surf SUPs, and why you should be on a hard board to fast track your surfing progression.
Pro
iSUP VS Composite Surf SUPs / What’s The Difference For Beginner Riders?
In this PRO video, Beau Nixon dissects the differences between inflatable and hard surf SUPs, and why you should be on a hard board to fast track your surfing progression.
Preview Lesson
Part 4: Behind the Brands
Go behind the scenes with designers, manufacturers and industry experts to discover how modern inflatable paddleboards are developed. Learn more about construction, innovation, sustainability and the thinking behind today's leading iSUP brands.
What is B corp & why is it important? / Red Paddle Co’s Head Designer explains all
Start Lesson
Why Red?… Behind the scenes iSUP talk with Red Paddle Co / Materials, processes, innovation & more
Start LessonWe know alot about SUP and the general SUP world, but one thing we don’t know much about is SUP shops. We don’t really know how modern shops work or...
Free
SUP shop insight / We chat to SUP inflatables about all things SUP
We know alot about SUP and the general SUP world, but one thing we don’t know much about is SUP shops. We don’t really know how modern shops work or...
Start Lesson