All beginnings are difficult, but most beginner mistakes in stand-up paddling are easy to avoid. We have tested extensively to find out which SUP boards are particularly suitable for beginners.
Avoid buying mistakes:
In my recommendations, I’ll introduce you to the most popular SUP boards 2024 for beginners and explain what makes the individual boards stand out. In our checklist, I’ll tell you what beginners should pay particular attention to when buying a SUP.
From inexpensive to premium quality – our selection covers all needs. You are guaranteed to find the right paddle friend and test winner:
- Best price-performance ratio: Bluefin Cruise
- Best premium SUP: Cala Atla
- Best beginner SUP from Aqua Marina: Aqua Marina Magma
- Best cheap beginner SUP: Aukai SUP
- Best lightweight single fin SUP: Aqua Marina
- Best beginner SUP with dog: Bestway HYDRO-FORCE Oceana
- Best beginner SUP with underwater window: FunWater SUP
- Best beginner SUP with extra storage compartment: Sportstech 9in1 SUP
The best SUP boards for beginners 2024 reviewed
1. the best price-performance ratio for beginners
This SUP measures 327 x 15 x 77 cm and weighs 17.6 kilograms. It is available in different colors such as blue, red, green, purple, orange or pink. It comes with a pump, leash, paddle, rucksack, kayak seat, waterproof smartphone case, Smart Lock fins and repair kit.
- Processing
- Stability
- Customer service
- Incl. Double paddle and kayak seat
- Poor quality of the paddle
Why we like it: The Bluefin Cruise SUP Board is a high-quality and popular model. It offers excellent value for money and comes with a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty. A tree is planted for every purchase.
Recommended for: Thanks to its stable construction, the board is suitable for beginners, but the robust workmanship is also interesting for advanced riders. It is ideal for one person with a dog or a seated passenger.
2. the best premium board for SUP beginners
If you value quality, the size of 10,8 (approx. 325 cm) is sufficient and don't shy away from the price, you will love the Cala Atla!
- Very maneuverable and yet stable against tipping
- Very good sliding properties and no flex, even at low 12 PSI
- Very robust full carbon paddle
- Transport bag suitable for carrying on the plane
- Only available in one size
Why we like it: The Cala Atla SUP Board redefines the standards for SUP boards. Thanks to its innovative material technology, it is up to 25% lighter than comparable SUPs. Nevertheless, it shows virtually no flex, sits very well in the water and is very maneuverable thanks to its size and shape.
It was very maneuverable during our tests. Nevertheless, the Cala Atla proved to be very stable. With its flawless finish and high-quality accessories, it sets a new benchmark for premium SUPs.
After extensive testing, we can confirm that the Cala Atla SUP delivers what it promises. Its use in the water and the first-class accessories made for an incomparable paddling experience. The full carbon paddle is very comfortable to hold and is more stable than many other SUP paddles tested. The included travel trolley can easily withstand air travel.
Recommended for: From beginners to experienced paddlers, the Cala Atla SUP board is a clear recommendation for anyone who values quality and performance and is willing to invest in their paddling experience. Its versatility and stability make it ideal for short excursions or relaxed trips on the water. For those planning longer day trips or multi-day tours, we recommend the Kanaloa Touring Board from Cala SUP.
Find out more: Detailed CALA Atla test report.
3. the best SUP from Aqua Marina for beginners
The board is 340 cm long, 84 cm wide and 15 cm thick. It weighs 9.5 kilograms and offers an anti-slip deck that provides optimum grip on the board. Additional stainless steel rings offer the option of retrofitting a seat.
- Quality
- Lots of accessories
- Speed
- Seat not included
- Paddle heavy
- Bag not very robust
Why we like it: Aqua Marina is one of the most affordable and popular SUP brands. The Magma is available as a complete set with paddle, leash, fin, bag and pump. All components are well made and provide lots of bathing fun.
Recommended for: The board enables easy and fast gliding with good control and balance. It is suitable for paddlers weighing up to 150 kilograms.
4. the best cheap beginner SUP
If you only want to stand on the SUP board a few times a year, you'll be fine with this affordable board. The workmanship is ok and it's fun to paddle.
- Suitable for the whole family
- Without repair kit
- Quality only satisfactory
Why we like it: This SUP from Netto Discounter is particularly beginner-friendly thanks to its low price and wide footprint. As a result, it offers enough space for a stable stand and is resistant to tipping. However, we were only sufficiently impressed by the quality.
Recommended for: Beginners and families who only want to get out on the water once in a while can use the SUP. For those who value quality and are hoping for longer paddling fun, it is better to choose a different model.
5. the best lightweight single fin SUP for beginners
This board comes with an adjustable aluminum paddle, a safety leash, a transport backpack with zipper, a pump, a transport net and a repair kit. It measures 330 x 81 x 15 cm and weighs less than 9 kilograms.
- Processing
- Compact
- Good grip due to coating
- Only one fin
- Pump not very stable
- Disadvantage
Why we like it: The Aquamarina Fusion is a beginner-friendly all-round board. Thanks to its dropstitch construction with double-layer PVC, it is particularly resistant and can also withstand light impacts with rocks.
Recommended for: The board is well suited for flat water and smaller waves and can be loaded with up to 150 kilograms.
6. the best cheap beginner SUP with dog
The board has an inflated size of 305 x 84 x 12 cm and weighs around 16 kilograms. It is supplied with an aluminum paddle, which can also be used as a double paddle, pump, repair kit, transport bag, leash and kayak seat.
- Price-performance
- Use as a kayak
- Stable
- Permanently installed fins
- Transport bag instead of rucksack
Why we like it: The seat is simply attached to the two existing D-rings. The drop-stitch material of the board offers very good stability, and an anti-slip coating ensures a good grip. Thanks to the carrying handles, it can also be easily transported inflated to the water.
Recommended for: The paddle board is suitable for paddlers up to 110 kilograms.
7. the best beginner SUP with underwater window
The board measures 320 x 83 x 15 cm and weighs just under 8 kilograms. In addition to an aluminum paddle, the scope of delivery includes a transport backpack, a waterproof cell phone cover, a leash, air pump and 3 fins.
- Price
- Stability
- Fast assembly
- Not a high-quality backpack
Why we like it: The FunWater SUP board is the ideal touring SUP for anyone who doesn’t want to dig too deep into their wallet. It comes with all the necessary accessories and is well made. It is easy to transport thanks to its low weight and the backpack supplied. With the integrated viewing window, you can even observe the underwater world.
Recommended for: Thanks to its good stability, it can be used not only for touring, but also for yoga and Pilates. It can bear loads of up to 150 kilograms.
8. the best SUP for beginners with extra storage compartment
The board comes with a wide range of accessories, such as a repair kit, transport bag with wheels, drybag for valuables, kayak seat, fin, leash, pump and paddle. It measures 320 x 76 x 15 cm, weighs 9.5 kilograms and also has a viewing window at the front.
- Tilt stable
- Lots of accessories
- Price-performance
- Seat mounting quickly defective
Why we like it: The Sportstech SUP Board offers everything a paddler’s heart desires. In addition to standard accessories, it comes with a drybag and a mountable kayak seat. The latter enables a comfortable seated ride, whereby the double paddle is very helpful. An action cam can also be attached to the integrated holder to capture the paddling trip on video.
Recommended for: The board can also be used as a kayak thanks to the seat supplied and is suitable for a load of up to 130 kilograms.
Best SUP board for beginner checklist: These features are important
Choosing the right SUP board:
There are different types of SUP boards: Allround, Touring, Surf, Race, River and Downwind. It is therefore important to consider what kind of board is needed for what purpose before making a purchase. If it doesn’t quite work out on the water, maybe it’s just the wrong board.
All-round SUP boards are the best choice for beginners who do not (yet) want to dedicate themselves to a specific discipline. These have a length of 9-11 feet (275-335 cm) and a width of 80-86 cm.
Hold the paddle the right way up:
Many SUP beginners make this mistake and instinctively hold the paddle so that the bend points backwards. Instead, the paddle must be held so that the blade is bent forward. This gives you optimum control and allows you to paddle more efficiently.
Looking to the future:
When paddling, you should look forwards and not down onto the board. If you look down, not only do you not have an overview of your surroundings, but you also increase the chance of losing your balance and falling.
Vertical paddling:
Stand-up paddling is more about the right technique than strength. The paddle should always be inserted into the water perpendicular to the board. In this way, the greatest forward thrust is achieved with the least effort.
Stand-up paddling with leash:
Without a leash, the SUP board can simply float away after a fall. There is not much time to get back on the board, especially if there is a current or wind.
A leash keeps the board firmly attached to the paddler. A leash is particularly essential for SUP surfing, as there is an acute risk of injury if the large boards fly through the line-up.
Grip the paddle correctly:
Once again on the paddling technique, one hand holds the handle and the other holds the paddle approximately in the middle.
Which hand? Very simple: when paddling on the right side, the handle is gripped with the left hand and the paddle with the right. On the left-hand side, it works the other way round.
Correct stand:
If you stand too far forward or too far back on your SUP board, you make life unnecessarily difficult for yourself, as this makes the board harder to control. You also have to exert more force when paddling as one side is lower in the water, which increases the water resistance. Where should I stand? The carrying handle serves as a guide here; it is best to position the feet on the left and right at the height of the handle.
Do not leave the board in the sun:
Whether inflatable or hard, the SUP board should never be left out in the sun for long periods. The paddle board is attacked by UV radiation, which can damage the seams and the material of the board in the long term.
Paddling to an unknown spot without informing yourself beforehand:
SUP boards are ideal for exploring new waters. Nevertheless, information about the route, the river, the lake or the bay should be obtained before each tour.
It is important to be aware of possible dangers such as currents, rocks, barrages, siphons or waterfalls. You should also always remain vigilant in order to recognize any risks quickly.
Have enough air in the board:
Admittedly, nobody likes standing over the air pump sweating on hot summer days. Nevertheless, the SUP board should always be inflated to the correct air pressure. Otherwise the paddle board is not stiff enough and therefore wobbly and harder to paddle.
Check the weather forecast
Before heading out on the water, you should read the weather forecast for the rest of the day to ensure a safe tour. After all, nobody likes to be out on the water when a storm is raging overhead. Wind and rain are usually only unpleasant, but storms and lightning can be life-threatening.
Pack food and drink:
Water and a few light snacks should always be in your luggage. To avoid dehydration, you should drink a few sips of water every half hour or so.
Show consideration for others:
When SUP surfing, you should always be considerate of other surfers in the line-up, as large boards also mean a high risk of injury. Stand-up paddlers also have a decisive advantage: with the large boards, waves can be taken further out.
Even if it is tempting, everyone should still stick to the priority and not snatch every wave away from others.
Also interesting: The most popular inflatable iSUP boards.
Bestseller: The most popular paddle boards for beginners
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(**Last update 2024-11-21)
Even more interesting SUPs for beginners:
FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers from SUP beginners
- 1 Which SUP is best for beginners?
- 2 What is the recommended SUP board size and width for beginners?
- 3 Are there SUP beginner courses?
- 4 Can I buy a used SUP board as a beginner?
- 5 Better to buy a SUP set or everything separately?
- 6 I would like to ride long distances and tours, what kind of SUP board do I need as a beginner?
- 7 What else does SUP equipment for beginners need?
- 8 Can I also windsurf with a SUP board as a beginner?
- 9 How expensive is a good SUP for beginners?
- 10 What alternatives are there to SUPs for beginners?
- 11 Is there a test from Consumer Reports or Öko Test on SUPs for beginners?
Which SUP is best for beginners?
What is the recommended SUP board size and width for beginners?
Are there SUP beginner courses?
Can I buy a used SUP board as a beginner?
Better to buy a SUP set or everything separately?
SUP sets are also usually cheaper than buying the individual components. However, the quality should be checked before buying a SUP set. The quality of the board and/or the accessories is often inferior, especially with cheap offers.
I would like to ride long distances and tours, what kind of SUP board do I need as a beginner?
What else does SUP equipment for beginners need?
Can I also windsurf with a SUP board as a beginner?
How expensive is a good SUP for beginners?
What alternatives are there to SUPs for beginners?
Is there a test from Consumer Reports or Öko Test on SUPs for beginners?
*Price includes VAT, plus shipping. Customer reviews, prices, delivery times and costs may change in the meantime. By linking to selected online shops and partners, we may receive a small affiliate commission. There are no additional costs for you.
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