How To Choose The Right Paddle Board Size
How We Test Our Products
Products are tested by our team of experts with years of personal experience.
Why Should You Trust Us
We do not simply trust a brands word, we put the products to the test!
Our Editorial Process
Unbiased reviews and in-depth research go into each and every review to ensure the best product for everyone.
Paddleboarding is generally a fantastic sport to learn, particularly if you love the waters and nature. Finding the right board that matches your physique and your style is important if you would like to learn and also perform well. Typically, specialty shops have professionals to assist you in selecting the right size, which is a great service to take full advantage of considering the huge number of paddleboards to select from. To find the best paddleboard, you should consider how you intend to use it, how you would like it to handle in the waters and how it will suit your body.
What Size Board Do I Need?
| Paddler's Weight | Paddle Board Length | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lbs | 9’ – 10’6 | 10’6 – 11’6 | 11’6 – 12’6 | >12’6 |
| 50 -125 |  | | ||
| 125 - 150 | | |||
| 150 - 175 | | | ||
| 175 - 200 | | |||
| 200 - 225 | | |
||
| 225 - 250 | |
|||
| 250 - 275 | |
|||
Factors to consider when choosing the right size of a paddleboard
Board width and balance
The width of a paddleboard is one of the most important factors in determining stability. Most boards are crafted up to 33 inches wide to accommodate various body types. Narrow boards, about 29″ to 30″ are ideal for smaller paddlers with up to 190 lbs. The narrow boards are usually lighter and more maneuverable to carry than a big board. Wide boards approximately 31″ or even wider are suitable for bigger individuals or people with recent hip or leg injuries and poor flexibility. The extra thickness and width assists in displacing your weight in the waters.
Board length
Paddleboards should work for your size. If it does not displace the right amount of water according to your weight, you will not be supported. Again, you should select the length of the board in regards to your home storage situation, type of car, and length of walk to the shore or beach. Remember that longer boards are pretty difficult to carry, particularly in windy areas. Long boards are faster than shorter paddleboards. If you are interested in touring or racing, you will need a long board to either paddle a couple of miles to your camping area or to keep up with the competition.
 Paddle board fins
At times, paddleboards come with some fins. Some come with one fin while others come with a maximum of four, typically in different sizes. Fins add stability as well as tracking to the paddleboard. The wider and longer the bases of your fins are the straighter and more stable your paddleboard will be.
Some paddlers prefer fewer or smaller fins because they are incredibly maneuverable. However, fins are usually removable, which means you can easily swap them or even install the number you would like for your unique paddleboarding needs.
Board construction
Paddleboards are made up of several different materials, and an EPS foam core wrapped using fiberglass, plastic, carbon fiber or inflatable is the most popular. Boards can be solid or hollow. Most rotomolded paddleboards are hollow because of their manufacturing process, irrespective of how heavy they are. However, some high-quality boards might be hollow to increase performance and save weight.
Paddling style
You should consider the type of paddleboarding activities you intend to do. If you want to try yoga, then a wide board between 31 inches and 33 inches is the way to go. When it comes to surfing, you should go for a short paddleboard with a narrow nose and tail section. If you are a beginner, all-round paddle boards are the best option for you. Most of these paddleboards are typically around 30 inches or 32 inches wide and between 9 feet and 11 feet long. They are usually designed with a round nose and tail section, are more stable and have a greater volume than surf paddleboards.
If you’re looking for a good board for your children, you should consider one below 10 feet. Most paddleboards for kids are usually around 8 feet and can maneuver more easily than long boards. For touring or racing you will require a paddleboard with less drag and one that easily maintains its course. The best paddleboard for racing or touring should be narrow and long, probably around 12 feet long. Knowing what you plan to do with your board beforehand will assist you in investing in the correct size and will also make your adventures more comfortable and safer.
Your weight
A board should carry your weight with ease, so ensure it can. Nowadays, most paddleboard manufacturers have begun including a paddleboard size chart in the buyer’s manual to show the maximum weight that a board can hold. If a paddleboard does not support your weight, then it will ride incredibly low on the waters, feel pretty unstable, or even sink. Therefore, reading-through the maximum weight will assist you in determining whether a paddleboard is right for you or not. Choosing a board that can hold the additional weight impeccably will keep you more buoyant, safe, and stable while on the waters.
Your height
Your height also plays a vital role when it comes to establishing the right size of a paddleboard. Shorter people have a low point of gravity than tall individuals, so when paddling, a tall person might find it difficult to maintain a board’s balance than short people. When selecting a paddling board, you should try to match your height with the width of the board.
In general, if you are tall, go for wide boards and if you are short, get a narrow one. Short people will find their balance more easily on the narrow board while a tall person will struggle a lot to do so. Remember that the wrong size of a paddling board will result in improper strokes, which might hinder you from reaping the numerous benefits of paddleboarding.
Conclusion
Paddleboarding offers you a fun and relaxing way to enjoy the waters. With the right gear, you can paddle lakes, rivers, and ocean surf even without any waves. Once you know the type of paddleboard you would like to go with, the other step is determining the right size for you. You should think about the board size in regards to volume.
The longer, thicker, and wider the board, the more volume it’ll have. The more volume a paddleboard has, the more stable it’ll be out on the waters. One thing you should note is that bigger paddleboards are usually less responsive while in the water. That means it’ll not turn as fast as a smaller wave paddleboard. Your task will be to select a board that has the right volume for your weight, height, and paddling style.
