SUP Board Guide: Differences Between SUP Board Models
When you start stand up paddling, you will come across various technical terms that you are probably not yet familiar with. In this article, we explain the features of the different SUP board models so that you can tell them apart.
Choosing the right Stand Up Paddle Board depends on your skill level, the area of use, your body weight, and, of course, your available budget.
Allround SUP Boards
When it comes to the decision to buy your first SUP board, the choice in most cases rightfully falls on an all-round board.
All-round SUP boards can be identified at a glance by the fact that the length is between approximately 10'0" and 11'0" and they are comfortably wide in the middle. This shape has the advantage that the boards are very stable and also track well in a straight line. All-round SUP boards are perfect for casual cruising on the lake and are also suitable if you want to use the board in smaller waves – such as in the Mediterranean.
All-round boards are the perfect piece of sports equipment for the whole family, as, for example, a child can sit comfortably on the board in front of you while you paddle. Older children also enjoy the stable all-round boards, as the boards are easy to carry due to their size.
Take a look at our "Active" all-round SUP board, which is available in various colors.
The Glory Boards iSUP "Fun" in mint in size 10'0" is the ideal all-round SUP board at a low price for stand up paddle beginners. Includes carbon SUP paddle, pump, backpack, and accessories!
€549.00
incl. backpack, SUP pump, Enjoy carbon paddle, repair kit, safety leash
€599.00
Active 11'0'' Allround SUP Set with Carbon Paddle Orange
High stability, comfortable ride, and a load capacity of 250 kg distinguish the inflatable all-round SUP board "Active," which is suitable for relaxed paddling and longer tours.
€849.00
Touring SUP Boards
Touring SUP boards are somewhat narrower and longer than all-round boards and are particularly suitable for ambitious long-distance paddlers. Touring boards are usually about 12'6" long and about 28 to 30 inches wide in the middle. Thanks to the longer and narrower outline, the touring board is designed for speed and excellent tracking. Long SUP boards are naturally less maneuverable than shorter boards, which is why they demonstrate their strengths best in flat water.
In our Touring SUP range, you can choose between the Trip in 12'0" and the Touring 12'6". We are happy to advise you on which touring board suits you better.
Race SUP Boards
Race SUP boards are designed for very ambitious paddlers. If you have pushed your touring SUP board to its limits and are looking for a new challenge or want to participate in races, a race SUP is the right choice for you. Race SUP boards are usually 14'0" long and feature excellent tracking, perfect straight-line performance, and minimal drag. Race SUP boards are very narrow, so you should have a good sense of balance and the corresponding experience to ride this training equipment. As the name suggests, you can participate in races with a race SUP board, as every paddle stroke is converted efficiently.
In our Glory Boards range, you will of course also find an inflatable race SUP board with which you make no compromises.
River SUP Boards
Are you an experienced stand-up paddler looking for a new challenge? To paddle in whitewater, you need courage on one hand and a suitable river SUP board on the other.
Stability and maneuverability characterize these boards. You can recognize river SUP boards by their short and wide shape – a wobbly, long board would be completely out of place in whitewater. While both inflatable and hardboards are used in other SUP disciplines, only robust inflatable SUP boards are used in whitewater. A hardboard would suffer irreparable damage upon contact with stones in whitewater.
Tip: For the river, you should use a short fin!
The Glory Boards River SUP at 9’6” is the perfect choice for your next whitewater tour!
TOURING 12'6'' Touring SUP Set in Yellow with Carbon Paddle
The touring SUP board was specifically developed for ambitious and athletic paddlers looking for a fast, stable, and sporty stand-up paddle board for long distances and day trips.
€899.00
RACE 14'0'' Competition SUP Set in Red with Carbon Paddle
The inflatable high-performance "Race" SUP board provides optimal support during challenging training sessions and SUP races - as a highly ambitious paddler, this is the right choice for you!
€949.00
RIVER 9'6'' Whitewater SUP Set in Blue with Carbon Paddle
The Glory Boards "River" is a stand-up paddle board for whitewater action! This whitewater SUP board scores points with its enormous maneuverability and supports you during quick evasive maneuvers.
€899.00
Yoga SUP Boards
Yoga SUP boards are arguably the most tip-stable boards on the market. The deck pad covers the entire surface of the board, so it feels similar to a yoga mat. SUP yoga boards share the same "genes" as all-round boards, which is why you can also use this board for leisurely paddling tours on the lake.
The yoga SUP board from Glory Boards is available in size 11'0"!
Crossover SUP Boards
Crossover SUP boards refer to a SUP that is suitable for several disciplines (or even types of sports). As the name suggests, the Glory Boards "Cross" is a crossover SUP board that sits between an all-round and a touring board and incorporates features from both models. It is faster and holds its course better than an all-round board, but is also more agile than a touring board since it is slightly shorter than one.
Some crossover SUP boards have a mast base for a windsurfing sail and can be used as a wind SUP, such as our "Cross" in green.
Furthermore, the "Cross" features 4 D-rings, to which a kayak seat can be attached – this allows you to use the SUP board for sit-on-top paddling or for fishing. Additionally, a crossover SUP offers enough space at the bow for you to take a child along on your SUP tour.
A crossover SUP board is very well-suited for families if several family members want to use the board, or if the SUP is to be used for different purposes.
Dog SUP Boards
Many of our four-legged friends love the water and are therefore perfect companions for stand-up paddling. The Glory Boards "Paw" was developed specifically as a dog SUP board! With the "Paw", the deck pad covers the entire surface of the board so your dog can sit comfortably at the bow. In addition, the deck pad protects the stand-up paddle board from sharp dog claws. We also considered dogs' vision when choosing the colors, as dogs can distinguish yellow and blue tones well. Dogs see the world less colorfully than humans do, which is why we placed great value on the color selection when designing the board. Before you take your dog stand-up paddling, you should consider a few points. You can find out more about this in our blog post "Stand-up paddling with a dog".
YOGA 11'0'' Balance SUP Set in Turquoise with Carbon Paddle
The inflatable "Yoga" all-round SUP board is suitable for both demanding SUP yoga exercises and relaxed paddling on the lake. The non-slip deck pad is your SUP yoga mat!
€899.00
CROSS 11'0'' Windsurf SUP Set in green with carbon paddle
The inflatable all-round SUP board "Cross" in green combines stand up paddling, relaxed windsurfing, and can be expanded with a kayak seat - the perfect SUP board for active families!
€649.00
PAW 11'0'' dog SUP set in turquoise with carbon paddle
The turquoise-yellow "Paw" dog SUP board was developed especially for the needs of two-legged friends who want to have their four-legged companion with them on all stand up paddling adventures.
€649.00
SUP board guide: Points to consider before buying a SUP board:
- What previous experience do you have? Do you need a beginner board, or do you already have experience from other water sports and feel confident enough for a slightly sportier SUP?
- How will you use your SUP board? Do you plan on going on longer, multi-hour SUP tours, or do you want to cruise leisurely on the lake after work or on the weekend? Will you potentially be taking a child or even a dog on the board, or will you use the SUP with a windsurf sail? Do you want to be able to paddle comfortably while sitting with a kayak seat, or is a sporty workout important to you? If you want to paddle as a pair, you should pay attention to your SUP board's weight capacity.
- What is your budget? If your budget is limited, you should still avoid buying a cheap board from a discount store for €200, as you won't be happy with it in the long run. It is better to save a bit longer and invest in a branded SUP board whose quality you can rely on. (At Glory Boards, for example, you get a 5-year warranty on your board if you register it after purchase.)
- The right paddle for your SUP board? Besides the right SUP board, the matching paddle is also an important part of the purchasing decision. Every Glory Boards SUP set already includes the "Enjoy" carbon paddle.
Still have questions about the different SUP board models?
In our Glory Boards range, you will find the right SUP board for your requirements. If you have any further questions about our products, we look forward to receiving your message and would be happy to advise you!
