Choosing the best stand up paddle board

Aloha and mahalo for dropping in with Blue Planet Surf. One of the most frequent inquiries we get at our shop in Honolulu, Hawaii is how to determine what size and type of board is right for you. As avid water enthusiasts, our main objective is to provide enough information so that you're equipped with the best knowledge to make the right decision when buying your first — or next — board. With the right knowledge, you can choose the ideal board to suit your surfing and paddling needs and ultimately have more fun on the water.

12 basic points

Below you'll find 12 images and charts that will help you through the process of finding the right board for you.

1. Type of paddling

First and foremost, consider what type of paddling you intend to do. Determining whether you'll be surfing, racing, cruising, or doing a mix of those will immediately narrow your board selection.

In general, shorter and smaller boards are more maneuverable and surf-oriented, while longer and more streamlined designs cover distance more efficiently and are better for racing. For cruising, look for boards in between those two ends of the spectrum.

2. Height, weight & skill level

Height and weight, along with skill level, are the next big factors to consider. Because paddle boarding requires the board to stay on top of the water at all times, your size dictates the amount of floatation the board needs to offer.

Skill level matters too. A first-time paddler with an athletic background will manage a lower-volume board more easily than someone less active — even at the same weight. Consider both dimensions when choosing.

3. Environmental conditions

The type of water you'll be paddling in matters significantly. Fuller outlines offer more stability and are great for calm conditions, while more pointed outlines provide better control and displacement in wind or chop.

Consider how frequently you'll be in each type of condition and choose shapes that are most conducive to optimizing performance in those environments.

4. Future goals

Two key questions to ask yourself:

1. How frequently do you intend to paddle or surf each week?
2. Do you aspire to progress quickly, or do you prefer a more gradual pace?

By considering those points, you may want to choose a board that leaves room for growth so you don't progress out of it too quickly. Keep in mind — there's nothing wrong with owning multiple boards (a quiver) to cover different conditions.

Board dimensions

5. Length

Length is measured from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail. Longer boards are faster; shorter boards are more maneuverable.

• Surf SUPs: 8'–10'
• Cruise / recreational: 9'–11'
• Touring: 11'–12'
• Race: 12' and longer

6. Width

Width is the most influential factor in overall stability, measured at the widest point of the board. Wider boards offer greater stability but decrease speed and responsiveness due to the additional surface area.

• Performance surf & race: 26"–30"
• Intermediate: 29"–33"
• Beginner / larger riders: 33" or wider

7. Thickness

Of all the dimensions, thickness is probably the least important on its own — but pay close attention to how volume is distributed from nose to tail and from the stringer out to the rails. A flat deck pulls thickness out to the rails for more stability; a convex deck tapers toward the rails for better surf performance.

• Surf SUPs: 3.5"–4.5"
• Recreational, touring & race: 4.5"–6"

8. Volume

Volume is critical for SUPs because unlike surfboards, a SUP needs to float you even when stationary. The four most important variables are height, weight, board function, and paddler skill level.

Too much volume inhibits performance in the surf; too little results in a lack of floatation. Use the Blue Planet Volume Recommendation Chart: take your weight in kilograms and multiply by a factor between 1.1 and 3. Lower factor = more performance-oriented; higher factor = easier or race-oriented.

Board shape

9. Nose shape

Pointed noses (displacement hulls) offer increased maneuverability, speed, and displacement with less drag. Fuller noses (planing hulls) provide nose riding performance, better planing, and increased stability — but are less ideal for choppy open ocean conditions.

10. Tail shape

Fuller tails offer a better planing surface for glide and speed but with looser control. Pinched tails provide tighter turning and better control in the pocket — ideal for bigger, hollower waves. For small waves, slightly fuller tails help generate and maintain speed.

11. Rail design

The rail design in the standing area of the board is the key area to assess. Thicker, boxier rails mean more stability — ideal for racing, touring, and cruising. Thinner or more tapered rails offer better control when holding a rail in a wave, allowing for faster, more responsive surfing.

12. Rocker line

Rocker line is one of the most important components of board design. Flatter rockers mean more speed, while more pronounced rocker lines enable better turning in surf or better management of open ocean conditions in racing.

• High performance surf: more exaggerated rocker
• Flat water / race: flatter rocker to maximize speed