The 5 best paddle boards for beginners in the UK
Stand-up
paddle boarding (or
SUP) is one of the UK’s fastest-growing water sports. So, if you’re looking to
get into it, you’ve come to the right place.
There
are many factors to consider when buying your first paddle board, including
balance, durability, price, and much more. But don’t sweat—we’ve done the
research, so you don’t have to.
Here’s
our selection of the five best paddle boards for beginners, along with a quick
buyer’s guide to help you find the one that best suits your needs.
Table of contents
iRocker NAUTICAL paddle board: Best overall beginner SUPItiwit X100: Best budget SUPGladiator Light 10’6″ Kids SUP: Best for juniorsFanatic Fly Air Fit: Best beginner’s SUP for yogaBluefin 18′ Mammoth: Best multi-person paddle board for beginnersWhat makes the best paddle board for beginners?
Price: £349.99 (RRP £499.99)
Size: 320cm H x 81cm W
Type: Inflatable
Weight limit: 109kg
A well-known name in the SUP community, iRocker produces quality paddle boards suitable for various experience levels. For many reasons, the iRocker NAUTICAL inflatable SUP is one of the best paddle boards for beginners.
The
board has a width of 81cm, which provides extra stability when you need it most
while maintaining a smooth movement through the water.
It’s
a versatile choice that performs well in flatwater conditions and more advanced
areas like choppy bays.
This
beginner’s paddle board is ideal for people around 5’8” or taller and durable
enough to use as you advance your skills. This SUP is made with triple-layer
military-grade PVC with a drop-stitch core—a sure-fire sign that this paddle
board is built to last.
It’s
even good for families, as it can hold small children or a dog due to its focus
on stability. So, if you’re planning on paddle boarding in a group, this
beginner’s SUP is the one you want.
Price: £229.99 (RRP £299.99)
Size: 305cm H x 81.5cm W
Type: Inflatable
Weight limit: 60-80kg
This
touring stand-up paddle board from Itiwit by Decathlon is a great and
affordable choice for beginners.
The
X100 is a wide SUP measuring 81.5cm and 13cm thick for maximum stability. It
also has a square-shaped tail designed to enhance balance.
The
X100 features a versatile glide performance with a pointed front, meaning it
can withstand small waves and is perfect for touring.
This
paddle board is easy to transport, with a compact shape when folded down and
EVA foam handles to carry it comfortably when inflated. Built with a robust,
impact-resistant drop-stitch and durable PVC, the Intiwit X100 is one of the
best budget SUPs for beginners.
One
reviewer said: ‘Great
product. Easy to inflate and deflate, great fun, and super stable for
beginners.’
The
X100 is lightweight, weighing 9kg, so it’s easy to transport whether you’re
heading into the water or carrying it in a backpack.
Price: £369
Size: 320cm H x 71cm W
Type: Inflatable
Weight limit: 90kg
The Gladiator Light 10’6” is an all-rounder built with kids in mind. Its thoughtful design will last your child through to their teenage years if they decide to continue pursuing the sport.
The
lightweight design means that this beginner’s SUP doesn’t compromise on
performance.
The
dedicated shape is perfect for kids and teenagers—a narrow midsection and wider
tail give the board a smooth glide with effortless stability. It’s ideal for
flatwater travelling, but it does well in small waves, too.
This
SUP is made with premium materials, with the top and bottom layers constructed
with high-quality double laminated high-density drop-stitch for quality
stiffness and durability.
The
Gladiator Light has front, central, and rear carry handles to ensure it’s super
easy for a child to transport. The board also features bungee tie-downs to
carry extra gear without any hassle.
The centre US fin is completely universal, too, so it can easily be changed depending on the conditions you’re paddle boarding in.
It
also comes with extras, including a Gladiator alloy paddle, backpack,
double-action pump, and repair kit, making it one of the best paddle boards for
beginners. Any kid who uses it can get straight out onto the water without
worrying about spending on more equipment.
Price: £859
Size: 320cm H x 86.4cm W
Type: Inflatable
Weight limit: 110kg
You don’t need to be a paddle boarding pro to try your hand at SUP yoga. The Fanatic Fly Air Fit is one of the best paddle boards for beginners who want to try sports like yoga or Pilates on a SUP.
It’s
been designed using Fanatic’s pure Drop Stitch Light Technology, which ensures
a lightweight and high-quality construction.
The
versatile design means you can practise free-ride and touring paddle boarding.
You also have the option to try SUP yoga, Pilates, press-ups, and more. This
makes it one of the best SUPs for beginners looking to learn various skills and
work on different techniques and sports.
The
shape of this SUP makes for a smooth glide and increased stability for
entry-level paddle boarders in all water conditions. Its soft diamond grooved
traction pad provides maximum control and comfort, as well as increased
stability and balance.
This
SUP is packed with volume to keep you in the air even during a workout.
Moreover,
the Fly Air Fit features multi-functional carry handles along the sides, nose,
and tail. You can use them for easier handling in and out of the water or
attach power bands if you want a killer workout.
Finally,
it comes with a premium Wheely backpack for effortless transportation. You can
even connect your board with those belonging to your training partners through
multiple high-quality eyelets.
The
Fly Air ticks the boxes in whichever area you look at—and more than justifies
its price tag.
5. Bluefin 18’ Mammoth: Best multi-person paddle board for beginners
Price: £1,133.32
Size: 548.6cm H x 152.4 cm W
Type: Inflatable
Weight limit: 650kg
Bluefin
has created the largest SUP on the market—the 18-foot Mammoth.
Again, we’re stating the obvious, but this is the perfect SUP for beginners who want to share their experiences with other paddle boarders.
Designed
for a big family outing or group of friends, the Bluefin Mammoth can handle up
to ten people on board.
This
huge SUP isn’t exactly known for speed, so it’s an ideal choice for
first-timers who want to go out on the water together.
Because
of its size, the Bluefin Mammoth has incredibly high levels of stability. It’s
18 feet long and 5 feet wide, so that that balance won’t be an issue on this
board, no matter your experience level.
The
Mammoth is also designed with a wide tail and five detachable fins to maximise
stability on the water. Three people can comfortably do yoga on this board
simultaneously, making it a versatile choice for groups.
The
Mammoth is built with military-grade triple-layer PVC for a rigid and durable
design. This multi-person SUP for beginners is inflatable to 15 PSI (but it
works well at 8 PSI, too) to cut through waves, and it can be used in all water
types.
Despite
its size, it’s one of the lighter multi-person paddle boards on the market. It
weighs approximately 27kg and has 13 carry handles, so transportation should be
easy.
The
Mammoth is made with lightweight, hard-wearing materials and can be packed into
the carry bag in no time. There are also several valves to speed up the
inflation and deflation process.
Like the SUP above, this comes at a higher price, but it’s a solid investment based on size and features. It’s truly one of the best paddle boards for beginners out there.
What makes the best paddle board for beginners?
We’re
stating the obvious here, but you need to make a very considered choice when
buying your first SUP.
While
it might be tempting to buy the most expensive paddle board you can find, it’s
worth taking the time to research what you need from it.
Different boards will suit different tastes and paddle boarding styles. Here are our top tips to keep in mind when shopping around, so you can find the best beginner’s paddle board for you.
Stability and balance
You’ll
likely be a bit wobbly on your paddle board the first few times you head out
onto the water.
Therefore,
you need a board that you feel stable on. Standing up on a paddle board can be
challenging, so choosing a board you feel comfortable balancing on is a perfect
start.
You’ll
also need to check the maximum weight your paddle board can handle and consider
your weight when choosing a board.
Other
factors, like your board’s shape, will also affect your choice. You need a
wider SUP if you want higher levels of stability. Wider SUPs will be slower in
the water, but this shouldn’t be a problem for beginners. Longer SUPs are more
difficult to manoeuvre, but they’re more buoyant than short boards.
For beginners, we suggest opting for a board around 10-12 ft long, with a width of roughly 32 inches.
Versatility
When you purchase your first SUP, it’s a good idea to think about where you’ll most often use it.
The best paddle boards for beginners are versatile, as travelling on the same local lakes or waterways can get repetitive, and you may want to venture outside your comfort zone.
Boards
designed for specific conditions are more advanced SUPs, and you may not get
the best out of one as a beginner. These are built for certain uses, and you’ll
want to have the basics before stepping on an advanced SUP.
All-rounder and touring-style SUPs are the best options for beginners looking for versatility. They’re also ideal for long paddles on a calm river but can withstand small waves and light rapids if you’re up to it.
Reliability
Investing
in a reliable, durable, good-quality paddle board is bound to save you money in
the long run.
You’re bound to get a few scratches on your board as a beginner, and if you want to use that same board as you advance, you’ll need a SUP that lasts. (That’s where our list of the best paddle boards for beginners comes in).
Keep the materials in mind as you shop around and check reviews of the products before you buy—look out for any comments relating to wear and tear.
An
inflatable SUP might be a good choice for those starting out. Inflatable SUPs
use a drop stitch system for the inside, which is incredibly durable, and most
will have hard-wearing polymer layers, too.
Advanced technology now means that inflatable SUPs match the strength and stability of solid, fibreglass SUPs, so keep this in mind.
Price
Of
course, you might not want to spend thousands of pounds on your first paddle
board.
We
know that the most expensive SUP might seem like the best. But when you’re
starting out, you don’t need all the fineries of a high-end board.
Our list above features a range of SUPs perfect for beginners on any budget. You can always check on second-hand online marketplaces, too.
Before
you purchase an SUP and get out on the water, you might want to protect
yourself through specialist insurance.
With
Insure4Sport, the Sports Equipment cover protects your paddle board against
theft, loss, and damage so that you won’t lose your investment in your new SUP.
You
can also opt to include Public Liability and Personal Accident cover, so you
have nothing to worry about when out on the water.
Find out more about how we can help here, or click the button below to get an instant online quote.
