If you’re on the lookout for the best stand-up paddleboard for surfing, you’re in the right place.
SUP Surfing has grown massively in popularity in recent years, with a growing market now meeting the demand.
However, with so many excellent options to choose from, picking out the best board for your needs can be tricky, especially if you’re not sure what to look out for.
To give you a helping hand, we’ve done the research for you and compiled a list of the best surfing SUPs on the market right now in relation to quality, performance, and design.
We’ve even included a list of things you’ll want to consider before making your final decision.
Let’s dive straight into the list!
Isle Versa
The first SUP on our list comes from Isle. Founded in 2004, Isle knows exactly what it takes to produce high-quality surfing paddle boards.
Every model of board Isle produces is great but the Isle Versa is top-tier when it comes to an awesome all-around option.
Capable of taking on some pretty gnarly waves, this lightweight board is made from incredibly durable epoxy material. This will give you peace of mind on the water.
The board also has the perfect shape to tackle waves, keeping you secure and stable when catching those tastier waves.
Available in three different colors, and featuring front bungee storage, the Isle Versa also has you covered if you take a fall (which let’s face it we all do at some point).
The board has been designed with a super soft traction pad that will break your fall, reducing the chances of you injuring yourself.
Our favorite aspect of the Isle Versa has to be its overall appearance. For us, this board looks fantastic.
It is clean, sleek, and stylish, offering us a solid performance while also looking and feeling awesome.
Pros
- Made from eco-friendly materials – This board is made from an eco-friendly epoxy material.
- Great design – This SUP looks and feels amazing to ride.
- Lightweight – The Isle Versa only weighs 27lbs.
Cons
- Can scuff easily – You may need to be careful with this board as the matte finish has been known to scuff.
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Boardworks Kraken All-Water Stand Up Paddleboard
Designed to be used in both calm and rough waters, the Kraken paddle board from Boardworks is a great option for those of you who want to cruise the coastline and catch some waves.
The perfect board for anybody under 170lbs, this lightweight and versatile board has been built with a foam core.
This foam core has been produced using fiberglass, bamboo veneers, and epoxy resin.
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This gives the board’s user the opportunity to glide across the sea effortlessly, taking on waves as a pro would.
With a width of 36” and a length of 11’ we can see that Boardworks has designed the Kraken with stability in mind.
Aside from its beautiful design, the thing that impressed us the most with this board was its fin configuration.
The board’s center fin box has three easily removed fins. You can also buy two additional fins.
This is great because it allows us to adapt the board to suit the conditions we’re surfing in.
As if that wasn’t enough, this board also has a soft foam pad that will absorb the pressure from any falls and a neat handle for transportation.
Pros
- Equipped with a handle – This board comes with a handle to make transporting the board a lot easier.
- Beautiful design – The Kraken looks amazing.
- Perfect shape for surfing – The narrow tail and V-shaped hull are ideal for surfing.
Cons
- Pricey – This board will set you back a lot.
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Dama Inflatable SUP
If you’re looking for a board that can be used for a whole host of activities, you don’t need to look any further than the Dama inflatable SUP.
A good choice no matter what you find yourself doing on the water, this inflatable board has been designed to primarily suit those who love to surf, fish, and perform yoga on their paddleboard.
With a weight limit of 352lbs, you can easily surf with your children on this board too.
To ensure solid performance on the sea, Dama has made this board using military-grade PVC.
This makes the board super lightweight, yet sturdy enough to handle the waves.
The board will also easily stand up to corrosion and UV damage, with saltwater never causing the board damage.
Fitted with three fins and an EVA foam deck pad, you’ll be able to easily keep your balance as you surf like one of the pros.
The fact we get all of this from a compact, clean, inflatable paddle board is great.
When we reviewed the board we found that it was very easy to transport due to its compact design.
The board then only took approximately 10 minutes to inflate.
Pros
- An abundance of accessories included – The Dama SUP comes with plenty of accessories, including a dry bag, waterproof phone wallet, and a leash repair kit.
- Inflatable – You can easily transport and store this SUP away thanks to its inflatable design.
- Lightweight – Weighing just 22.5lbs, your children can easily take this board out onto the water.
Cons
- Needs inflating – Though it only takes 10 minutes to inflate, you can’t just head straight out onto the water with this board.
SereneLife Inflatable SUP
Our list wouldn’t be complete without including the inflatable SUP from SereneLife.
Inflatable SUPs offer some of the best performance around for surfing and this one is no different.
This paddle board is ideal for beginners looking to learn on a versatile board that comes at an incredibly reasonable price.
Despite being inflatable, SereneLife’s board is super rigid and sturdy. We have solid PVC and high-quality construction to thank for that.
The soft deck prevents any injuries while also increasing our balance and the planing hull and triplefin give riders the opportunity to maneuver bigger waves without any issues.
In terms of the overall design, we also love the appearance of this inflatable SUP.
The unique pattern on top of the board looks great and gives the board a spotless look.
Though the design and construction of this board are top-class, it is the inclusion of surfing accessories and the inflatable nature of the SUP that wins our vote.
Being easily packed away in the trunk of your car, this inflatable SUP comes with a surfing accessory pack filled with all the surfing essentials.
This includes a leash, pump, carry bag, dry bag, and an aluminum paddle.
Pros
- Variety of colors available – This SUP is available in four different colors, giving you plenty of variety.
- Anti-slip deck – The soft anti-slip desk will stop you from falling off the board.
- Extremely cheap – The SereneLife SUP is incredibly good value for money.
Cons
- No additional fin space – Unfortunately this SUP doesn’t have any extra space for additional fins.
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FBSPORT Premium Inflatable SUP
The final surfing SUP on our list is another solid option for those who want a board that offers versatility at a reasonable price.
Whether you surf, cruise or paddle with a wide and lightweight design, this board is designed to offer the user good stability and balance as they smoothly glide across the water.
To ensure the SUP is also extremely durable, FBSPORT has used high-grade military materials in the construction process.
Inflating in just 5 minutes, this SUP is also equipped with a soft non-slip deck to prevent any injuries if you do take a tumble.
When we took a look at this board, we were impressed with the superior maneuverability the SUP offers.
Thanks to the triple bottom panel fins, the overall speed, control, and balance of the board is second to none.
We were also pleased with the storage capabilities and ease of transportation.
FBSPORT provides a useful packing bag with every purchase.
This takes the form of a backpack, making it so much easier to carry the bag from A to B before effortlessly inflating it with the included pump.
Pros
- Easily transported – The inclusion of a carry bag makes life a lot easier when moving the SUP.
- Quickly inflated – This SUP will be ready to use in just 5 minutes.
- Affordable -This board is sold at a very reasonable price.
Cons
- Leaking pump – Some users have reported that the pump starts to leak air after about 30 uses.
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Best Surfing SUP Buyer’s Guide
Finding the best SUP for surfing can be difficult. Things get even harder when you don’t know what things to look for.
In this buyer’s guide, we have provided you with key information regarding the important factors you need to consider before making a final decision.
By taking these factors into account, you’ll be able to make a decision you won’t regret.
Construction
One of the most critical things to consider when looking for a surfing paddleboard is what type of board you want.
You have two main options to choose from. These are solid or inflatable.
Solid boards are generally thought to be the best paddle boards for surfing. This is a result of how much lower they sit in the water and their more suitable center of gravity.
They typically offer more maneuverability too. Solid boards are usually made out of a range of materials. These can include epoxy and fiberglass.
With these types of boards, you really get what you pay for, but you will have to pay a lot.
Inflatable boards are better suited to those who want a more budget-friendly SUP.
As long as you pick one made from high-quality materials, inflatable boards are as durable and rigid as solid boards.
A great board to learn on, the biggest advantage an inflatable board offers is how easily it can be stored away and transported.
Ultimately, the board you choose comes down to personal preference.
The Type Of Hull
There are two types of hulls available when buying a SUP. They are displacement and planing.
Generally speaking, one type of hull isn’t better than the other, but instead are built for differing activities.
In relation to surfing a planing hull is what you need to look out for.
Better suited to surfing, planing hulls are easily categorized thanks to their flat undersides used to help surfers ride with ease.
They tend to be rounder and wider than displacement hulls too.
Displacement hulls better suit those who like to go touring. They can be used to surf, but your overall surfing experience won’t be as much fun.
Board Size
Finding the right-sized board for you is crucial. By getting this wrong your SUP surfing experience will suffer.
Surfers with more experience should consider looking at shortboards that range from 8 to 10 feet in length.
Larger surfers or those of you with less experience will be better suited to a slightly longer board.
A board around 10 to 12 feet in size is a good choice.
After taking the length of the board into account, you will also need to think about the width of the board. The standard width of a SUP is approximately 32 inches.
However, surfers with less experience and a lower skill level might decide to go for a board that is slightly wider.
More experienced surfers may choose a board slightly narrower.
To put it simply, the more skill you have, the narrower the board you can ride with success.
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Budget
We’ve all had times when we’ve overspent when making a nice purchase, so make sure you don’t when buying your SUP.
SUP boards vary massively in price so overspending your budget isn’t difficult. Some boards cost less than $500, while others cost over $1,500.
Before you even start looking at a paddleboard you should first work out your budget.
By working out how much you have to spend on a SUP, you can start focusing on the boards that suit your budget.
This will save you time and eliminate the potential risk of you overspending.
The last thing you want to do is buy a board for $1,000 to then realize you should only have spent $600.
Cost
On the topic of money, you need to make sure you don’t fall into the trap of buying a board just because it is expensive.
A board may cost a lot, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it is better for you.
If you’re new to SUP surfing, to be honest with you, you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on a board.
More expensive SUP boards are generally more specialized than cheaper models.
This is so that experienced surfers can get the most out of the board. Beginners can quite easily save money and buy a larger board for less money.
Aside from saving money, you will then own a board that gives you more success and feels easier to ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Surf On A Paddleboard?
Yes, you can definitely surf on a paddleboard. In fact, with the right board, you can do almost anything on the water.
Most paddleboards are designed to let the user cruise, paddle, fish, surf, and perform some yoga moves.
In terms of surfing some boards are designed specifically with SUP surfing in mind.
This makes it a lot easier for a paddleboarder to ride rougher waters without losing balance or falling off the board.
How Are Paddle Boards And Surfboards Different?
Though both types of the board come from the same concept, paddleboards and surfboards aren’t the same.
Typically, surfboards are lighter and smaller than paddle boards as they are built to ride with waves, not over them.
Paddleboards are usually wider and longer than surfboards. They are designed to be stood upon for the whole duration of a rider’s time in the water.
As a result of this, paddleboards are normally a lot stabler too.
This makes them a great option for beginners who are looking to get into water sports for the first time.
Is It Harder To Surf On A SUP Board?
Most surfers would probably agree that it is actually a lot easier to surf on a SUP board than it is to surf on a surfboard.
SUP boards are a lot tamer, giving the rider a more relaxed environment to learn.
Those who learn to surf on a SUP board tend to get up on the board a lot sooner than those on a surfboard.
When you feel comfortable enough to catch smaller waves on a SUP, you can then progress to using a more specialized surfboard that will help you develop your ability further.
Final Thoughts
Surfing on a SUP is an excellent way to enjoy the water.
Not only are they perfectly designed for catching waves, but they can also be used to enjoy some more relaxed cruising, yoga, or fishing.
It is this versatility that makes them so popular.
While it may be hard to find the best SUP due to an over saturated market, hopefully, now you’ve seen our list you have a better idea of what’s out there.
A high-quality SUP will offer good stability, balance, and comfort whilst also having enough durability to tackle the waves.
Now you’ve got this guide at your fingertips, why not take some time to evaluate your options.
By narrowing down your options, you should be able to find the surfing SUP that suits your needs and requirements best.