HOW TO CHOOSE A PADDLEBOARD RIGHT FOR YOU


This guide is designed to help new paddlers find a board that will be stable and fun to use. 


UNDERSTANDING TYPES OF BOARDS

Some board types are better for specific paddleboard activities. 

RIGID COMPOSITE

Best-in-class paddleboards made from fiberglass, carbon fiber, or other materials held together by a resin and hardened around a lightweight EPS foam core.

  • Maximum performance because you can shape the finest of details into the board
  • When you need a board lightweight for speed

RIGID THERMOFORMED

Thermoformed boards provide maximum durability using our proprietary ACE-TEC and TOUGH-TEC manufacturing process. 

  • Maximum durability
  • When you need a more specifically suited board for your end use (touring, yoga, fishing)
  • Increased stiffness provides better performance

INFLATABLE

Inflatable boards are compact, lightweight, and ready to go when you are. They roll up into a backpack carrier, complete with a pump, fin, leash, and repair kit.

  • Ease of Transport
  • Ease of storage
  • Lightest carrying weight possible

CONSIDER YOUR INTERESTS

Some board shapes and designs are better suited for specific end uses. Considering your interests first may help you choose a more all-around style board or you may require multiple boards depending on your activities. 

SUP FOIL

SIC foiling gear has been designed, tested, and validated by our team on Maui and Europe. Whether your paddling, using a wing, windsurfing rig, or dropping in surf style, we use the finest materials and the best construction processes to make SIC foiling equipment lightweight and durable with unbeatable performance.

ALL-ROUND SUP SURF

The original Stand Up Paddle Boards! The sport started when surfers in Hawaii began to stand on oversized surfboards and paddle them around when the waves were flat. Their surf-inspired shapes are now optimized for flat-water use, but still fine tuned for wave surfing performance. Chooose this style if you plan to surf ocean waves, or if you just want that surf style look and feel when paddling on the local lake! 

SUP WINDSURFING, FOR ENJOYING THE BEST OF BOTH

This is an optional extra you might find on some of the all-round “Surf” boards. They’ve got a mast-foot mounting, allowing you to fit a windsurf sail rig to the board. Some, like the 11’6 Performer, also have an integral, retractable dagger board, which improves their upwind performance.

ALL-ROUND  FLATWATER

Those boards are wider, thicker, and have a less pronounced rocker than their all-round surf cousins. This gives them added stability and capacity in flat-water conditions. These are the most versatile boards for the widest range of activities. From family fun to yoga and fishing, all-round flatwater boards are the perfect platform for good times on the water! 

SUP TOURING, FOR EXPLORATION ON CALM SEAS, RIVERS AND LAKES

These boards are designed for long distance exploration paddling on any flat water, and for downwind runs at sea. They’re generally wide (for stability) and long, giving more forward speed AND steering control. The nose is often pointed, with a “V” shaped hull underneath, helping with straight-line course-holding and avoiding hitting chop full-face. They are usually very stable and are well-suited to beginners.

SUP DOWNWIND

Downwind paddling is SIC's roots. It means to paddle in one direction with the wind at your back and conditions under your feet. Lots of downwind imagery is of paddlers riding larger open ocean swells; however, anyone can paddle downwind on harbors, lakes, and rivers. We've created performance downwind boards that can handle a variety of conditions from open swell to river chop that allow you to hone your skills and progress when you're ready.

SUP RACE

SIC is dedicated to making the fastest race boards in the world. Our amateur and elite athletes are winning local races and world titles on SIC race board. We take no shortcuts and strive to push the limits of speed and handling. We learn, refine, and innovate. These design features trickle down into our recreational boards to ensure that they, too, are infused with the best in paddling.

WHO WILL USE THE BOARD

If this is a family board or you may have multiple paddlers that might use the board, you'll want to select a board that will work for the heaviest rider. Lighter riders can have fun on a larger board, but heavier riders will struggle with a too-small board. Maximum rider weight recommendations are listed in the specification of our paddleboard.   Be sure to account for the weight of any gear and/or passengers you plan to bring along when considering the right board for you.

 

WHERE WILL YOU USE THE BOARD

Most people want to enjoy time with family and friends on the lake, flatwater bay, or river. Other paddlers may want to paddle in rougher conditions, surf, downwind, or whitewater on rivers where rocks can be obstacles.

  • All around boards and touring boards are perfect flatwater paddling
  • Specific board shapes and design details will be better suited for surfing, downwinding and rough water.
  • Inflatable or more durable boards like our thermoformed boards are better suited for rocky or whitewater environments.

WHERE WILL THE BOARD BE STORED

Rigid composite boards require care with storage, and should be stored in a cool dry space. Thermoformed boards are more durable and can be stored outside on racks or boat decks.  Inflatable board are transportable and can be stored in small spaces.

  1. XRS V2 14'0'' x 24.0''
    Rigid Super-Fly
    XRS V2 14'0'' x 24.0''
    All-Round FlatwaterRaceTouring
    The XRS V2 is our updated flatwater raceboard with a dugout cockpit constructed with a lightweight Super Fly molded Carbon sandwich. Its enhanced performance features and reduced volume make the XRS V2 more agile, responsive, and faster in the flats.
  2. XRS V2 14'0'' x 22.0''
    Rigid Super-Fly
    XRS V2 14'0'' x 22.0''
    All-Round FlatwaterRaceTouring
    The XRS V2 is our updated flatwater raceboard with a dugout cockpit constructed with a lightweight Super Fly molded Carbon sandwich. Its enhanced performance features and reduced volume make the XRS V2 more agile, responsive, and faster in the flats.
  3. XRS V2 14'0'' x 20.0''
    Rigid Super-Fly
    XRS V2 14'0'' x 20.0''
    All-Round FlatwaterRaceTouring
    The XRS V2 is our updated flatwater raceboard with a dugout cockpit constructed with a lightweight Super Fly molded Carbon sandwich. Its enhanced performance features and reduced volume make the XRS V2 more agile, responsive, and faster in the flats.
  4. RST Air 14'0'' x 28.0''
    Inflatable Fusion Lite Welded
    RST Air 14'0'' x 28.0''
    All-Round FlatwaterDownwindRaceTouring
    The New RST Air series follows the outline of the new RST hardboard, produced in our new Fusion Lite Welded (FLW) technology. FLW is a lightweight technology with welded seams, adding stiffness and providing a lasting airtight seal without the risk of glue weakening.
  5. RST Air 14'0'' x 24.5''
    Inflatable Fusion Lite Welded
    RST Air 14'0'' x 24.5''
    All-Round FlatwaterDownwindRaceTouring
    The New RST Air series follows the outline of the new RST hardboard, produced in our new Fusion Lite Welded (FLW) technology. FLW is a lightweight technology with welded seams, adding stiffness and providing a lasting airtight seal without the risk of glue weakening.
  6. RST Air 12'6'' x 27.0''
    Inflatable Fusion Lite Welded
    RST Air 12'6'' x 27.0''
    All-Round FlatwaterDownwindRaceTouring
    The New RST Air series follows the outline of the new RST hardboard, produced in our new Fusion Lite Welded (FLW) technology. FLW is a lightweight technology with welded seams, adding stiffness and providing a lasting airtight seal without the risk of glue weakening.
  7. RST Air Youth 12'6'' x 21.0''
    Inflatable Fusion Lite Welded
    RST Air Youth 12'6'' x 21.0''
    All-Round FlatwaterDownwindRaceTouring
    The New RST Air series follows the outline of the new RST hardboard, produced in our new Fusion Lite Welded (FLW) technology. FLW is a lightweight technology with welded seams, adding stiffness and providing a lasting airtight seal without the risk of glue weakening.
  8. RS DF 14'0'' x 24.5''
    Rigid Dragon-Fly
    RS DF 14'0'' x 24.5''
    DownwindRaceTouring
    The 2024 RS in DF all-water race and touring board has a recessed deck made with Dragon Fly molded wood sandwich construction. It has the same high-performance features found in the award-winning RS in SF but in a durable DF build at a budget-friendly price.
  9. Bullet 14'0'' x 30.0''
    Rigid Dragon-Fly
    Bullet 14'0'' x 30.0''
    All-Round FlatwaterDownwindTouring
    The Bullet is not only a tremendous downwind board. It's designed to be a versatile touring board that can drop-in and surf swell as well as beach and point breaks.
  10. RS DF 14'0'' x 26.0''
    Rigid Dragon-Fly
    RS DF 14'0'' x 26.0''
    DownwindRaceTouring
    The 2024 RS in DF all-water race and touring board has a recessed deck made with Dragon Fly molded wood sandwich construction. It has the same high-performance features found in the award-winning RS in SF but in a durable DF build at a budget-friendly price.