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 SUP
- Itiwit X100: Best budget SUP
- Gladiator Light 10’6″ Kids SUP: Best for juniors
- Fanatic Fly Air Fit: Best beginner’s SUP for yoga
- Bluefin 18′ Mammoth: Best multi-person paddle board for beginners
- What makes the best paddle board for beginners?
1. iRocker NAUTICAL paddle board: Best overall beginner SUP
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.
2. Itiwit X100: Best budget SUP
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.
Related: 5 reasons why you need to try paddle boarding
3. Gladiator Light 10’6” Kids SUP: Best for juniors
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.
4. Fanatic Fly Air Fit: Best beginner’s SUP for yoga
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.
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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.
Specialist paddle board insurance through Insure4Sport
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.
