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 with the fundamentals of inflatable paddleboards. Learn how to choose the right size, shape and construction, compare iSUPs with hard boards and understand the features that matter for your paddling.
New to inflatable SUPs? Learn the key things to consider when choosing your first iSUP and find a board that suits you and your paddling.
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How to Choose the Right Inflatable SUP (iSUP) – Beginner’s Guide
New to inflatable SUPs? Learn the key things to consider when choosing your first iSUP and find a board that suits you and your paddling.
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Not all inflatable SUPs suit every paddler. Understand how board length, width and size affect stability, performance and suitability.
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Any iSUP will do right?! How to choose the right size board for you
Not all inflatable SUPs suit every paddler. Understand how board length, width and size affect stability, performance and suitability.
View VideoMoving from an inflatable to a hard board? Learn why you may not need the same width and what to consider before going narrower.
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How Wide Should My Hard Board Be Compared To My iSUP? / Dropping Width
Moving from an inflatable to a hard board? Learn why you may not need the same width and what to consider before going narrower.
Preview VideoDiscover how nose shape and rocker vary between inflatable SUPs and how these design differences can affect performance on the water.
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iSUP Nose Profile & Rocker Line Explained
Discover how nose shape and rocker vary between inflatable SUPs and how these design differences can affect performance on the water.
Preview VideoSee two different inflatable SUP concepts compared on the water and discover how their shapes and design features influence the paddling experience.
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Starboard The Wall VS Touring S 12’6 x 28″ (2021) / Comparison Review
See two different inflatable SUP concepts compared on the water and discover how their shapes and design features influence the paddling experience.
View VideoTake a more detailed look at the Starboard The Wall and the unusual design thinking behind this specialist inflatable SUP.
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A Closer Inspection Of Starboard's The Wall PRO extra
Take a more detailed look at the Starboard The Wall and the unusual design thinking behind this specialist inflatable SUP.
More InfoA quick and simple tip for taking the pressure out of your inflatable SUP without the usual blast of escaping air.
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Deflate Your iSUP Quietly / SUPboarder How To
A quick and simple tip for taking the pressure out of your inflatable SUP without the usual blast of escaping air.
View VideoExplore the thinking behind hard nose cones on inflatable SUPs and whether they can genuinely improve efficiency and performance.
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Hard Nose cones on iSUP’s… Do they work? Jonny tells all / SUPboarder Pro
Explore the thinking behind hard nose cones on inflatable SUPs and whether they can genuinely improve efficiency and performance.
Preview VideoLearn how to store your inflatable SUP correctly to protect the materials, avoid unnecessary damage and help extend its life.
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How to store your iSUP / keeping it in good condition
Learn how to store your inflatable SUP correctly to protect the materials, avoid unnecessary damage and help extend its life.
View VideoHow long should an inflatable paddleboard last? Understand what affects its lifespan and how good care can help you get more years from your board.
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How Long An iSUP Should Last / Inflatable SUP Life Span
How long should an inflatable paddleboard last? Understand what affects its lifespan and how good care can help you get more years from your board.
View VideoInflatable SUPs can be used in the waves too. Discover what to expect from surfing an iSUP and some of the things to consider before heading out.
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How to SUP Videos / Surfing an iSUP
Inflatable SUPs can be used in the waves too. Discover what to expect from surfing an iSUP and some of the things to consider before heading out.
View VideoSee a hard and inflatable SUP compared directly to understand the practical and performance differences between the two constructions.
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Inflatable or hard board? We compared a JP-Australia Hybrid (hard) & CrusiAir iSUP
See a hard and inflatable SUP compared directly to understand the practical and performance differences between the two constructions.
View VideoConsidering an inflatable SUP or kayak? Compare the advantages and compromises of each to see which might better suit your time on the water.
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Inflatable SUP V inflatable Kayak / What are the Pros and Cons?
Considering an inflatable SUP or kayak? Compare the advantages and compromises of each to see which might better suit your time on the water.
View VideoPart 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.
Price doesn't always tell the whole story. Learn what to look for when assessing the materials, construction and overall quality of an inflatable SUP.
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Is the quality of your iSUP acceptable for the price? / What to look out for in 2022
Price doesn't always tell the whole story. Learn what to look for when assessing the materials, construction and overall quality of an inflatable SUP.
Preview VideoGet familiar with some of the simple tools and repair essentials worth having with your inflatable SUP – and understand when you might need them.
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iSUP Valve Tool / What’s in my inflatable SUP Repair Kit?
Get familiar with some of the simple tools and repair essentials worth having with your inflatable SUP – and understand when you might need them.
View VideoTake a closer look at Red Paddle Co's V-Hull concept and see whether this distinctive inflatable design makes a noticeable difference on the water.
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Red Paddle Co’s V-hull – Does it work?
Take a closer look at Red Paddle Co's V-Hull concept and see whether this distinctive inflatable design makes a noticeable difference on the water.
Preview VideoA simple inflation tip that can stop you losing unnecessary pressure and make setting up your inflatable SUP a little easier.
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Stop wasting air with this basic Red pumping tip! / How to video
A simple inflation tip that can stop you losing unnecessary pressure and make setting up your inflatable SUP a little easier.
View VideoUnderstand the different fin box systems found on SUPs and the advantages and limitations of each when choosing and changing fins.
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SUP Fin Box Types
Understand the different fin box systems found on SUPs and the advantages and limitations of each when choosing and changing fins.
Preview VideoWhy are some inflatable SUPs much stiffer than others? Explore the construction, pressure and design factors that determine how rigid an iSUP feels.
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The fundamentals of iSUP Stiffness – what affects it?… & more / SUP Tech talk
Why are some inflatable SUPs much stiffer than others? Explore the construction, pressure and design factors that determine how rigid an iSUP feels.
Preview VideoInflatable SUPs offer huge advantages, but they also have compromises. Understand their real-world limitations and when a hard board might be the better option.
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The real world negatives to iSUPs / How to video
Inflatable SUPs offer huge advantages, but they also have compromises. Understand their real-world limitations and when a hard board might be the better option.
More InfoLearn how to roll and pack an inflatable SUP fitted with a US fin box without putting unnecessary stress on the board or fin box.
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Tips on rolling up an iSUP with a US fin box / How to video
Learn how to roll and pack an inflatable SUP fitted with a US fin box without putting unnecessary stress on the board or fin box.
View VideoExplore an unusual approach to inflatable SUP construction and see how alternative design ideas can change the feel and performance of an iSUP.
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TripStix 10′ All Round / Not your normal iSUP!
Explore an unusual approach to inflatable SUP construction and see how alternative design ideas can change the feel and performance of an iSUP.
Preview VideoTake a broader look at the development of inflatable surf SUPs, how their performance has evolved and where the technology could go next.
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We chat surf iSUPs / Past, present and future
Take a broader look at the development of inflatable surf SUPs, how their performance has evolved and where the technology could go next.
Preview VideoDiscover why some inflatable SUPs use tail runners and edge-release features and how they can help improve water release and performance.
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We talk about tail runners / edge releases on your iSUP / What do they do & why?
Discover why some inflatable SUPs use tail runners and edge-release features and how they can help improve water release and performance.
Preview VideoPart 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 paddlers and paddling styles.
Understand what welded rail construction is, why manufacturers use it and the potential benefits for durability and inflatable SUP construction.
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Welded rail technology / What is it & why is it good on your iSUP?
Understand what welded rail construction is, why manufacturers use it and the potential benefits for durability and inflatable SUP construction.
View VideoThinking about stepping onto a hard raceboard? See how it differs from an inflatable race SUP and what changes you can expect in speed, stability and feel.
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What can I expect from a ‘real’ raceboard! / iSUP vs Hard
Thinking about stepping onto a hard raceboard? See how it differs from an inflatable race SUP and what changes you can expect in speed, stability and feel.
Preview VideoExplore the features that make an inflatable SUP work in the waves and what separates a general-purpose iSUP from a more surf-focused design.
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What makes the best surf iSUP?
Explore the features that make an inflatable SUP work in the waves and what separates a general-purpose iSUP from a more surf-focused design.
View VideoThicker isn't automatically better. Understand how iSUP thickness affects stiffness, stability and feel, and why different boards use different thicknesses.
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What thickness iSUP is best? Pros and cons
Thicker isn't automatically better. Understand how iSUP thickness affects stiffness, stability and feel, and why different boards use different thicknesses.
View VideoSee what normally comes with an inflatable SUP package and learn the basics of getting everything set up and ready for the water.
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What’s In An iSUP Package & How To Set Up Your Inflatable SUP
See what normally comes with an inflatable SUP package and learn the basics of getting everything set up and ready for the water.
View VideoFaced with a huge choice of inflatable SUPs? This earlier guide explores the fundamental questions to ask when narrowing down your options.
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Where do you start?! Buying an iSUP in 2019
Faced with a huge choice of inflatable SUPs? This earlier guide explores the fundamental questions to ask when narrowing down your options.
Preview VideoUnderstand what you gain by spending more on an inflatable SUP and where the differences between cheaper and more expensive boards really matter.
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Which iSUP to buy, cheap or expensive? / How to video
Understand what you gain by spending more on an inflatable SUP and where the differences between cheaper and more expensive boards really matter.
More InfoSee inflatable and hard SUPs compared to understand the advantages and compromises of each and which might better suit your paddling.
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Should I buy an inflatable or hard SUP? / Fanatic Fly Comparison video
See inflatable and hard SUPs compared to understand the advantages and compromises of each and which might better suit your paddling.
View VideoExplore the practical differences between inflatable and composite SUPs to help decide which type of board best matches your priorities.
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Inflatable or hard SUP… what’s best for you?
Explore the practical differences between inflatable and composite SUPs to help decide which type of board best matches your priorities.
View VideoFor paddlers looking towards the surf, discover how inflatable and composite surf SUPs differ and why a hard board can offer more progression.
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iSUP VS Composite Surf SUPs / What’s The Difference For Beginner Riders?
For paddlers looking towards the surf, discover how inflatable and composite surf SUPs differ and why a hard board can offer more progression.
Preview VideoExplore the benefits of a smaller, lighter inflatable SUP package and why easier transport and setup could mean spending more time on the water.
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Go paddling more – Reasons to get a lightweight and compact isup
Explore the benefits of a smaller, lighter inflatable SUP package and why easier transport and setup could mean spending more time on the water.
View VideoPart 4: Behind the Brands
Go behind the scenes with designers, manufacturers and industry experts to discover how modern inflatable paddleboards are developed. Learn about construction, innovation, sustainability and the thinking behind today’s leading iSUP brands.
Meet the person behind Honu and hear about the thinking, design decisions and production processes involved in creating modern inflatable SUPs.
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The man behind Honu / Mark Travers chats about design, production & more…
Meet the person behind Honu and hear about the thinking, design decisions and production processes involved in creating modern inflatable SUPs.
View VideoGo behind the scenes at Red Paddle Co and get a closer look at the people, development and processes behind one of the best-known inflatable SUP brands.
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We go to Red Paddle Co international / SUPboarder Vlog
Go behind the scenes at Red Paddle Co and get a closer look at the people, development and processes behind one of the best-known inflatable SUP brands.
View VideoTake a closer look at the materials and construction processes used by Shark SUP and learn more about what goes into producing their inflatable boards.
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Shark SUP bonus video / Their materials and construction processes
Take a closer look at the materials and construction processes used by Shark SUP and learn more about what goes into producing their inflatable boards.
View VideoLearn what B Corp certification means and hear why sustainability, social responsibility and manufacturing choices matter within the SUP industry.
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What is B corp & why is it important? / Red Paddle Co’s Head Designer explains all
Learn what B Corp certification means and hear why sustainability, social responsibility and manufacturing choices matter within the SUP industry.
View VideoDive deeper into inflatable SUP development with Red Paddle Co, exploring materials, manufacturing processes, innovation and the decisions behind their boards.
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Why Red?… Behind the scenes iSUP talk with Red Paddle Co / Materials, processes, innovation & more
Dive deeper into inflatable SUP development with Red Paddle Co, exploring materials, manufacturing processes, innovation and the decisions behind their boards.
View VideoHear a retailer's perspective on inflatable SUPs, the wider market and what they learn from helping paddlers choose and use different boards.
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SUP shop insight / We chat to SUP inflatables about all things SUP
Hear a retailer's perspective on inflatable SUPs, the wider market and what they learn from helping paddlers choose and use different boards.
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