If you have always wanted to take up surfing but are worried you’ve left it too late, we are here to It’s not really a negative and most boards in this price range have some flex, but with the Vapor make sure you pump it up to max PSI every time to make it as rigid as possible. If budget is less of an issue, you might like to read our article about the best beginner paddleboards. Best budget SUP’s – 7 cheap inflatables & 1 hard board Wave Tourer

Every board comes with a 2 year warranty, which is probably all that’s needed to figure out if there are any manufacturing faults. I’ve worked at watersport centres that still use 10 year old BIC paddle boards and they work perfectly. Even though the plastic might go off colour in intense sun over the years, the board still works the same and they never have any problems. Aqua Marina is a Chinese manufacturer and brand, who are doing really well here in the UK. They’ve found a sweet spot of being the budget paddle board brand for most of the top retailers. This is a complement for Aqua Marina, because UK SUP retailers only want to sell the best gear to their customers. Tahe is a merger from two brands, Tahe Outdoors and BIC, who along with making pens and lighters, have been manufacturing windsurf, surf and paddle boards for years. So although Tahe is a new name, they have been around for a very long time.

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Decathlon probably needs no introduction, you’ll know them as a French company who have sports stores all around Europe. They make and sell decent gear at very affordable prices, which is exactly how you could describe their main range of paddle boards. I’m sure paddle boards aren’t the easiest thing to make, and sometimes it does go wrong where the glue doesn’t set or there is a random fault with a component that the manufacturer has little control over. Hopefully, when you buy your board it’s perfect, but these things can happen so having a warranty gives you that peace of mind. Red Paddle Co's 9'6" Compact MSL PACT is a brilliant paddle board for beginners, but its price may be off-putting for anyone just starting out. If you want to spend quite a bit less on your first SUP but without compromising on quality, we'd recommend the Surfstar 10'6" Advance Star.They offer an outstanding 3 year warranty (which is amazing for the price of the board), and on many UK Facebook paddleboarding groups the comments all say they have great customer support. These are some of the most important things I look for in independent brands, because it shows they are serious about having a proper functioning business and have confidence that what they are selling is good quality. The Portofino 10ft inflatable stand-up paddle board kit is an eminently affordable, robust, easy-to-use board that works very well on calmer waters. A broad nose and wide, flat tail add stability, making the Portofino even more beginner-friendly, and a drop-stitched core gives it a uniform shape that helps it move efficiently over the water. As you'd expect, the bundle includes everything you need to get started SUPing, and you can even add a kayak conversion kit (sold separately) to make it more versatile. The narrow nose and single fin means the board will glide very nicely across the water, and the tail shape and 32” width means the board will provide decent stability. Paddle boards are a great way to have fun, get fit and explore the world. However, not all paddle boards are created equal! If you want to go out paddle boarding with a friend but don't want to end up in the inevitable situation where one of you goes faster, and you get split up, the Red 15'0 Tandem MSL Inflatable Paddle Board is a great – if expensive – choice. It's a tandem touring board that's ideal for exploring with a partner while having a relaxed and chatty time, and it means that either of you can take a break if you get tired without the other having to slow down or stop.