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SUP Beginner’s Guide

As you embark on your paddling journey, here are a few recommendations to get you started.

How to Paddle Board (Beginner's Guide)

Stand up paddle boarding is a fantastic activity for your mind, body, and soul. It takes you to beautiful oceans, lakes, rivers, or bays, while also being a full-body and core workout. You can experience peace and serenity when paddling alone, or you can bring a friend, a dog, a child, or a partner along for your adventure. Check out our complete Video Instructional series, and read on for additional insights!


Stand up paddle boarding is also a lifelong sport, which can be experienced by people of all ages and skill levels. Once you master SUP, you can build on the experience by practicing SUP yoga or using your SUP to fish or lounge. 

If you’re wondering how to paddle board, we have written the ultimate beginner's guide for you. In this blog, we’ll explore the types of stand up paddle boards, equipment you need, how to set up your board, how to move and the best tips for paddle boarding.

If you’re looking for a crash course, our 5 minute how to paddle board video is the one for you. And for those looking to kayak with their hybrid SUP-Kayak, here’s a video on how to kayak in 5 minutes.

We’ve also created a comprehensive VIDEO INSTRUCTIONAL SERIES that covers a wide range of skills and fun tricks to do on your board! 

Types of Stand Up Paddle Boards


Stand up paddle boards come in all shapes and sizes and materials. Paddle boards typically range from 8 to 14 feet in length, 30 to 36 inches wide, and 4 to 8 inches thick. At ISLE we sell three types of paddle boards: traditional hard boards, inflatable paddle boards and SUP kayak hybrids. If you’re curious which one is right for you, you can use our board finder tool

Beginner paddle boarders should choose an “all-around” paddle board - these styles are generally wider overall, and also have a wider nose and tail for added stability. All-round SUPs perform well in most conditions - from choppy ocean waves to calm lakes. They can also be used for SUP yoga, SUP fishing, SUP touring and SUP surfing. As you gain experience, you can progress to a narrower, longer board if you’re looking to go further, faster.  But if recreational use is your focus, an all-around board will serve you well for many years. 

We recommend going with an all-round inflatable paddle board if you’re a beginner for the following reasons:

  • Easiest paddle board to store because it deflates and rolls up to the size of a sleeping bag
  • Best paddle board for traveling because it can easily fit inside any car
  • Super durable. If you drop it, it will not be damaged
  • Wide and stable for ease of use and learning
  • They can be left inflated when being used regularly, and transported on roof racks like a hard board if you choose, then deflated for easier transport and storage

Beginners can also choose a hard paddle board to learn on for a “grab and go” option without the need to inflate or deflate for set-up. Keep in mind you’ll need plenty of storage space as well as roof racks for your vehicle. 

If you’re an advanced paddle boarder looking for a performance option, we recommend the traditional epoxy paddle board aka hard paddle boards. An epoxy paddle board is fiberglass wrapped around an EPS foam core, with one or more fins to help the board track in the water. It is more rigid than an inflatable

  • More agile and highly maneuverable
  • Optimal performance in all water conditions.
  • Excellent for SUP surfing, SUP racing, touring, or simply just for fun on the water

For 2024 all ISLE inflatable SUPs feature our ISLE-LINK system for easy conversion to to a sit-on-top kayak. This is a great benefit for those looking for maximum versatility and value from their equipment.

  • Inflatable, lightweight, durable, stable, and rigid. 
  • ISLE-LINK system converts your paddle board to a kayak in minutes

Below are some popular activities to do with your SUP and some things to consider for each activity.

Fishing SUPs

  • Come with a wider deck pad for more space on your SUP for your fishing gear
  • An attachment system like the ISLE-LINK system allows for accessorizing with items like the our Harbor Fishing Crate, fishing rod holders, bait trays, etc.
  • Fishing from a paddle board offers many benefits versus fishing from land, kayak, and boat
  • Great SUP for beginners

Yoga SUPs

  • They have an expansive deck pad so you have more room for your flow
  • Inflatable SUPs are better for SUP yoga because you sit higher up on the water keeping you dry and more stable
  • Many yoga enthusiasts are beginning to practice on the water vs land
  • Can be used as a beginner recreational paddle board

Touring SUPs

  • Ideal SUP for long-distance paddling adventures
  • Longer, less wide SUP with a pointed nose so they cut through waves easier
  • Typically has a displacement hull for better tracking

Surf SUPs

  • Designed for surfing waves in the ocean
  • Maneuverable and responsive in the surf
  • Least stable on the water
  • Challenging for beginners, but practice makes perfect

We’ve also written articles on hard tops versus inflatable, or how to choose the best SUP kayak hybrid i