Are you undecided between a rigid SUP and an inflatable SUP? Here is some advice from AEDRA
Before choosing between a rigid SUP or an inflatable SUP, it is important to evaluate some fundamental elements, like the performance on the waves, the resistance and durability over time, the ease of transport and space occupied and last but not least, the cost of the board.
Let’s talk about SUP
SUP or Stand Up Paddle is a nice mix between surfing and canoeing. It is a water sport that has become very popular, especially in recent years, and has attracted the interest of many athletes. The SUP board can be rigid or inflatable and to be appropriately used, you need specific fins, a paddle and a leash, which is the rope that binds the surfer to the board and ensures safety.
Inflatable or rigid surfboard: pros and cons of each one
Inflatable surfboards are increasingly popular not only among beginners but also among veterans of surfing, especially for how easy it is to transport them. With inflatable SUPs, in fact, you only need to deflate them to be able to carry them around effortlessly, and they can even be transported by motorcycle or bicycle.
Another advantage of inflatable surfboards is safety. The fact that they are soft makes them harmless in case of a fall or impact. On the other hand, rigid boards move more flawlessly in the water, they perform much better than inflatable boards and suffer less from side wind. Rigid boards are more suitable for professional use than inflatable SUPs since the latter do not allow to go very fast. Inflatable boards, at the same time, besides being easy to transport, are less easily damaged and are more practical to keep at home. This doesn’t mean that rigid boards can’t be transported, they simply take up more space and are heavier and, as a result, a little less easy to handle.
In terms of durability, inflatable SUPs are better in this case as well, and despite the risk that they may get flat, they do not break in case of collisions or falls.
One last consideration concerns prices, a significant element to evaluate when choosing a surfboard. If you have a limited budget, an inflatable surfboard is definitely better for you, being economically more accessible than a classic rigid board. Inflatable boards are also ideal for beginners who, many times, do not feel like investing a lot of money in the purchase of their first surfboard. All this doesn’t mean that you can’t find cheap rigid SUPs, on the contrary.
Always rely on an expert when choosing your surfboard
When considering to buy a surfboard, being it a rigid or inflatable one, it is always better to rely on the advice of an expert who will carefully evaluate your every need and who will give you all the right directions for the choice of the best surfboard for you. Especially for beginners listening to the opinion of an expert is essential.
Finally, always remember that safety comes first. Being an open water sport, you should learn to always make a careful assessment of the weather before having fun on the waves. A sudden change in the weather conditions could turn a quiet paddle in flat water into a real fight against waves and wind that could become dangerous, as well as annoying.