10 Best Paddle Boards for Beginners

Paddle Boarding is a hobby that has brought immense joy to me in the summertime. You can have the worst day at work and come to a still lake and all of that just melts away. 

The problem is that there are so many board choices out there that many new potential paddlers don’t know where to start! Oftentimes they get analysis paralysis and don’t even get to dip their toes into this amazing hobby which is the biggest shame! In this article, we take your hand and show you the best inflatable paddle boards for beginners.

I was in your position too believe it or not. But unfortunately, I made the mistake of getting a no-name-brand paddle board that was extremely unsteady. I felt like one of those log rollers tumbling down the river always on edge! 

I don’t want you to experience that feeling like I did so today I will be taking you through my personally tested picks of the 10 best paddle boards for beginners.

If you jump to each review we have a specific rating system that allows you to choose what’s most important to YOU!

Let’s get into it!

10 Best Paddle Boards for Beginners

Below is our hand-picked list of the best paddle boards for beginners. We have tested all of the below boards and have unique input to prescribe with each board. We also gather fellow paddlers’ perspectives on these boards to give you the most complete opinion possible for each pick.

You May be a little confused as to why the scores don’t match the rankings. Our scoring system details specific features about the board such as on-water perfomance, board features, construction, accessories, setup and take down time.

We prefer to score our boards this way as it gives you a more detailed rating system instead of just ranking the “best beginner paddle boards” without any detail on why the board is ranked as it is.

– Editors Notes

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Most of the picks will be in the sweet spot of the $400 – $900 range with a few over for those looking for premium picks. It’s recommended you stay within this range as cheap Amazon no-name brands cheap out on materials and construction which dramatically shortens the life of your SUP. 

What would you prefer? Buying 2-3 SUPs within 5 years or have one quality one that will last you 5 years and over?  We do have a Guide for Cheap Inflatable Paddle Boards here.

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1. Atoll 11 (Durability Pick)

Features

• Dimensions: 11’ X 32” X 6”
• Weight: 21 Lbs 
• Maximum Capacity: 315 Lbs (Tested to 550 Lbs)
• Material: Machine Laminated Dual Layer PVC

Total Score 8.2/10 (Average of Below)

• On-Water Performance: 8.5
  • Stability: 9
  • Tracking: 8
  • Speed: 8
  • Maneuverability: 8
• SUP Construction: 9
• Board Features: 8
  • Deck Pad: 8.5
  • D Rings: 9
  • Deck Bungees: 7.5
  • Handles: 7
• Accessories: 7.5
  • Backpack: 7
  • Paddle: 7
  • Pump: 7
  • Fins: 8
• Set-Up/ Take Down: 8

Why is it a Good Beginner Pick?

I chose the Atoll 11 as the best SUP for beginners as it is a board with the perfect blend of quality that meets affordable pricing and a high maximum capacity. 

I also have one which I tested in slightly higher stakes. I first paddled this board at the beginning of March in a small lake located on Salt Spring Island. So yes the water was a bit cold. 

I tested the Atoll out and my first impression of the board was that it had fantastic primary stability. For the extra $100 – $200 this is well worth it compared to spending money on an Amazon board that does not put half the quality materials that Atoll puts into their boards.

I tested the Atoll out and it had fantastic primary stability. But it’s not just me that says this. Out of a few Reddit threads several paddlers preferred the Atoll over other popular SUPs.  Including ones that are $200-$400 more expensive than the Atoll 11 SUP. 

As shakasupgirl on Reddit put it:

“My husband and I have Atoll boards. We love them and our friends do too. Their customer service is fantastic. I’m born and raised in Hawaii and grew up paddle boarding so I’m picky about my boards. Get the Atoll.”

On-Water Performance

In my first test of the Atoll 11, we tested it in a small lake and did your standard paddle boarding motions. We kneeled, stood up on the board, did sweep strokes, small side paddle maneuvers, and hauled butt on it. We even scared some swans in the process (oops)!

In my findings, We found that the Atoll 11 scored above average in almost all on-water performance metrics except for maneuverability which scored within the average of other all-around paddle boards.

The board’s tracking performance was 7 strokes per side before correcting course compared to our average for all-around boards we’ve tested which was 5.8. In maneuverability, the board did about 4.5 reverse sweep strokes to do a 360, which was only slightly more compared to the average all-around board score of 4.2. 

Overall the Atoll was a fantastic board to paddle. Its stability got top marks with nothing going below an 8/10 in terms of tracking, maneuverability and speed. 

Board Features and Design

So why does the Atoll have a lower overall board score compared to other paddle boards in our rating systems? The main thing that did not help the rating of this board is that it lacked the quality of accessories and on-board features of some of the other boards on the list. But if onboard features and standardized accessories are not a big issue for you ignore it.

The Atoll 11 features a touring/ all-around hybrid design that allows water to flow freely to the sides giving it less drag on the water’s surface. If you are planning to load this SUP up with gear I have good news for you. The Atoll 11 features a 550 pound tested maximum capacity with their board. 

So if a multi-day trip is eventually in the cards this SUP is more than up to the task. It also comes in a comfortable bag that comes with a compact single chamber pump that has a total weight of 38 pounds with board and paddle included. So if you plan to do some backcountry paddling this would also be a solid pick for that. 

Click here to see our Full Review on the Atoll 11 Paddle Board.

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2. Sea Gods Skylla CX (Premium Pick)

Features

• Dimensions: 11’3” X 33” X 6”
• Weight: 19.5 Lbs
• Maximum Capacity: 350 Lbs
• Material: Cross Weave Drop Stitch (crisscrossed layers of drop stitch that are fused from upper and lower layers) Heat Pressed Rails

• On-Water Performance – 8.5
  • Stability 8.5
  • Tracking 7.5 
  • Speed 8.5
  • Maneuverability 9.5
• SUP Construction – 9.5
• Board Features  – 8.8
  • Deck Pad 9.5
  • D Rings 9
  • Deck Bungees 9
  • Action Mounts: 8
  • Handles 8.5
• Accessories – 8.6
  • Backpack 9
  • Paddle 9.5
  • Pump 8
  • Fins 8
• Set-Up/ Take Down 9

Why is It a Good Beginner Pick?

The Skylla checks all the boxes for what a beginner needs when first getting into paddle boarding. 

1. They want a very stable board so that they can practice standing
2. They want a well-constructed board that will last.
3. They want a dependable company that has great customer service
4. Beginners want something that looks cool and turns heads in the water

The Skylla CX checks all of these boxes. The main reason why it’s not ranked number 1 despite having a better score is its price tag. The price tag for the Skylla is more than what many beginners are looking to spend. Many are  looking to get their feet wet and are not willing to spend over $1000 on their first SUP. 

On-Water Performance

The Skylla CX offered good on-water numbers and when I first went to stand up on the board, it did not feel tippy whatsoever while paddling. The board is 33” wide which gives you an extra width from the normal 32” All-around specifications. The board’s deckpad is also very grippy which helps you gain confidence when standing up for the first time. 

The area which the Skylla impressed the most was maneuverability. Doing basic paddle strokes such as side paddles and sweep strokes was easy with this board and it responded very well. It’s a good pick for tighter coastal areas and lakes where you want to paddle into some inlets to explore. 

One area I thought the Skylla CX could have done better with was tracking. Often times when you see a pointy board you assume it tracks well. But this board’s nose is very uplifted so you don’t get the same tracking as you would with the Carta Marina. 

Board Features and Design

The first thing that stands out with this board is the design. It’s a real looker! And the Skylla has several different designs including one by famous surf designer Drew Brophy. Sea Gods regularly work with local and famous artists and put their designs on their boards making them the best-looking SUPs you can find. 

It’s not all looks though as the board is equally well designed and constructed. The quality of construction is one of the other reasons why the Skylla has a higher price point. The board construction is made of fusion PVC with cross-weave drop stitch construction which uses multiple strands weaved together to increase the rigidity of the board. This also allows the board to be blown up at a higher PSI. 

The board features are also very well throughout. The board has multiple rows of bungee deck webbing in the front and rear of the board as well as action mounts and handles with plenty of D rings onboard. 

The Accessory kit is also very handy with a well-made paddle and a very sturdy and well-made nylon bag with heavy-duty zippers included. The board also comes with a pump as well as a set-up cloth to put on the ground when you are setting up and taking down the board. 

You can see our Full Sea Gods Skylla CX Review here. 

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3. Thursosurf Water Walker 132 (Balanced On-Water Pick)

Features

• Dimensions: 11 X 31” X 6”
• Materials: Dual layer fusion knitted drop stitch core
• Weight: 25.3 Lbs
• Maximum Capacity: 330  Lbs

• On-Water Performance – 8.4
  • Stability 8
  • Tracking 8
  • Speed 8.5
  • Maneuverability 9
• SUP Construction – 8
• Board Features – 7.8
  • Deck Pad 9
  • D Rings 8
  • Deck Bungees 8
  • Action Mounts: 7
  • Handles 7
• Accessories – 8.4
  • Backpack 7.5
  • Paddle 8.5
  • Pump 9
  • Fins 8.5
• Set-Up/ Take Down – 8

Why is It a Good Beginner Pick?

The Water Walker 132 is a great all-around pick that can be used by many people of different shapes and sizes. It’s a great board that can grow with you as you gain your “SUP feet” in the water.

The board can also be paddled in a wide variety of environments. Infact I tested this board in an ocean river in late February (Don’t do this as a beginner).  The board also has a unique wood finish on it that blends well with it’s color designs it offers on its website. 

The Water Walker is offered in 3 different sizes. For people that are 5’7 – 6’3” I’d recommend the 132. The 126 is best for smaller to medium paddlers while the 120 would be best for smaller paddlers.  For those who are bigger and want to get a Thursosurf, I’d recommend the Multi-Purpose 11’6” SUP. 

On-Water Performance

The Water Walker 132 offers well-blended on-water performance where it performs well in most categories. Mind you it won’t be the most stable SUP on this list. While the 132 is a solid board to get for a beginner it does offer a slightly longer learning curve as the board is more responsive compared to something like the Atoll 11. 

On the flip side, the maneuverability of this board ranked very well in our tests with 4 reverse sweep strokes to complete a 360 which is slightly below the average of All Around SUPs I tested at a 4.2 average score. It was also surprisingly nimble in my tests and was able to produce a good amount of glide when paddling regular and harder strokes. 

Board Features and Design

Thursosurf much like Sea Gods comes with a well-put-together package when it comes to board materials, features, and accessories. 

The board features a fusion-based layering system which they improved upon compared to the triple PVC layering they did which was more glue-intensive. Fusion layering involves heat pressing 2 layers of PVC together which sandwiches a a reinforced woven drop stitch core. 

The sides have extra protection to reinforce the sides with carbon material side rails. They not only add an extra layer to absorb the ongoing pressure the board will face being inflated but it also protects the sides from bruises and bumps your board may encounter on its voyages.

I also liked the accessories package. A feature I particularly liked was a folding pouch that comes with the package that you can put all your odds and ends. It also houses the fins, screws as well as the leash so that all of these items don’t get lost in the bag. 

You can see our Full Thursosurf Water Walker 132 Review here. 

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4. Retrospec Weekender 2 (Budget Pick)

Features

• Dimensions: 10’6” X 33” X 6”
• Weight: 23 Lbs (Board Only)
• Maximum Capacity: 300 Lbs
• Material: AerGlide (Dual Layer Fusion PVC)

• On-Water Performance – 8.25
  • Stability 9
  • Tracking  8.5
  • Speed 7
  • Maneuverability 8.5
• SUP Construction – 8
• Board Features  – 7.4
  • Deck Pad 7
  • D Rings 8
  • Deck Bungees 7.5
  • Action Mounts: 7
  • Handles 7.5
• Accessories – 7.5
  • Backpack 7
  • Paddle 7.5
  • Pump 7.5
  • Fins 8
  • Kayak Conversion Kit 8.5
• Set-Up/ Take Down – 8

Why is It a Good Beginner Pick?

The Retrospec Weekender 2 is far and away the value pick of the bunch as you get a lot of good accessories at an affordable price point. Retrospec has also been in the game for 5-plus years so they are not just some random Amazon brand. 

What’s more, is the fact that this package offers an inflatable kayak seat and a kayak paddle attachment as well as a shoulder strap. This is good value considering most SUPs charge extra for these accessories. 

When I paddled this board I was pleasantly surprised with how it handled in the water! More on that below. 

On-Water Performance

The Retrospec Weekender has good stability and exceeded expectations on some of my on-water tests. If I’m honest I was not expecting much from this board as I just thought of it as an “Amazon brand board”. But this brand knows a thing or two!

The most important element for beginners is board stability. And this board offered great stability. Standing and doing several different strokes in the water cemented this. This is due to the board’s more rounded frame which acts as a bigger platform that sits in the water. 

This rounder frame does however detract from speed and touring ability. Not that these things are a priority for beginner paddlers, but having a SUP that can grow with you as your skill set improves is nice. 

Board Features and Design

This board got top marks for value as you get an inflatable kayak seat, paddle, and many more accessories for a board under $400 which is an extraordinary value. Especially when you compare this package to the BOTE Easy Rider (next on the list) which is almost double the price. 

Is the Retrospec Weekender the best-made package out there? Probably not, as I did see several areas were less than finished including some glue around the deck pad. However, if you are on a serious budget don’t sleep on this pick as it’s a great recreational package that will get you started with 2 paddle sports, kayaking and paddle boarding. 

Having praised this package I thought the paddle was just okay. It’s aluminum so it is on the heavier side. It also takes some effort to fit this board back into the bag as it is a tiger fit than most on this list. It may take you a couple of tries to reposition everything back in. 

You can see our Full Retrospec Weekender 2 Review here. 

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5. Sea Gods Diatom Ten6 (Woman’s Pick)

Features

• Dimensions: 10’6″ x 34″ x 6″
• Weight: 20 Lbs
• Max Capacity: 350 Lbs
• Material: Cross Weave Drop Stitch

Why is It a Good Beginner Pick?

The Diatom is not only a true looker but it is also a very easy board to learn on. The Diatom Ten6 was originally produced as a SUP yoga board but it got a lot of positive reviews from newer paddle boarders wanting to learn the sport. 

Its deckpad is also wide and expansive which allows you to move around the board with confidence. This is one of the easier boards on our list where you can confidently move up and down the board without being experienced. As teased below this is a great board to learn more advanced paddle board manuevers on. 

On-Water Performance

My first experience with the board was very positive as I found it to not just be a good board to maneuver but also to stand up on. When I was doing a paddle refresher course with Sea Gods we were practicing our pivot turns and I found the Diatom the easiest board to do this with. The added stability of the board made it even easier than I was expecting. 

The Diatom also maneuvers well in the water making it great for smaller lakes or calm water conditions. The only downside of this board is that I could feel the difference in tracking with this board fish-tailing more compared to the Skylla CX and the Carta Marina boards which I tested the same day. 

Board Features and Design

Much like the Skylla CX, The Diatom Ten6 CX offers a well-constructed package made of a reinforced woven drop stitch material with dual PVC layering for extra protection. This design allows Sea Gods to make their SUPs super lightweight as they save weight from the reinforced drop stitching enabling the board to weigh just 20 lbs. It’s a great pick for smaller paddlers who don’t want to haul a heavy board to the shoreline. 

One feature that impressed me about the Diatom Ten6 is the smooth wide deck pad that gives both beginners and SUP yogis enough room to move around on the board. It also offers plenty of deck webbing that does not get into the paddler’s way as well as a snap-in fin that uses a US fin box. No need to worry about losing tiny screws! The fin is also made of a softer plastic that is bright green which ensures you don’t misplace your fin as you are putting the board away!

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6. BOTE Easy Rider (Kayak Hybrid Pick)

Features

• Dimensions: 10’4″ x 36″ x 6″
• Weight: 30 lbs
• Max Capacity: 250 lbs
• Materials: Ultra Aero Technology

• On-Water Performance – 7.9
  • Stability 9
  • Tracking  6.5
  • Speed 7
  • Maneuverability 9
• SUP Construction – 7.5
• Board Features  – 7.8
  • Deck Pad 8.5
  • D Rings 8
  • Deck Bungees 7.5
  • Action Mounts: 7
  • Handles 8
• Accessories – 7.3
  • Kayak Conversion Kit 9
  • Backpack 7.5
  • Paddle 7
  • Pump 7
  • Fins 7.5
• Set-Up/ Take Down – 8

Why is it a Good Beginner Pick? 

The BOTE Easy Rider can be described as a great SUP for beginners who want the ability to stand up on their first paddle. Or in laments terms, a stupidly easy board to stand and learn on. The Easy Rider has a short 10’4 length coupled with the widest width of any board on this list at 36”. It also comes with a very comfortable kayak kit! 

One thing to note is that the set-up of this board will take longer than your typical SUP you can do both stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking in the same session in the water without having to adjust things. 

On-Water Performance

The Easy Rider’s best on-water quality is its stability. If you have any doubts about whether you can stand for your first paddle board session this board will erase all of them. It feels like you are standing on an inflatable dock. Best of all you can pech to the end of the seat to get into the squat position to eventually stand. I found this helpful compared to having to get in the standing position from your knees

Now something I should mention is that this is not a speed pick by any means. it’s not exactly the most aerodynamic package around. The wider width also makes it slower, which is fine in calm conditions but as soon as wind picks up it can be hard to make much headway as a beginner. That’s why I recommend putting this board in kayak formation during gusts of wind or paddling against the tide. This does two things. 

1. Keeps the aerodynamic profile down which means you are not acting as a sail for your sup since you are seated.
2. You get more strokes per minute in kayak formation which gives you more momentum.

Board Features and Design

As mentioned perhaps the Easy Rider’s best quality is its versatility of being a paddle board kayak hybrid. It’s a great recreational board that offers you a comfortable package to paddle, unlike many kayak hybrids where you can realistically sit for an hour on a foam SUP chair.

This is also because the seat and seat back is inflatable and uplifted which takes massive pressure off of your back. The setup will take longer but I highly recommend taking a serious look at this package if you want to include kayaking into your activity list.

You can see our Full BOTE Easy Rider 10’4″ Review here. 

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7. Gili Komodo (Small Passenger Pick)

Features

• Dimensions: 10’6” X 33” X 6”
• Weight: 21 Lbs 
• Maximum Capacity: 340 Lbs
• Material: Dual Layer Fusion Tech

Total Score: 8.1 (Average of Below Numbers)

• On-Water Performance – 8.5
  • Stability 8.5
  • Tracking 8.5
  • Speed 7.5
  • Maneuverability 8.5
• SUP Construction – 8
• Board Features – 8
  • Deck Pad 9
  • D Rings 8
  • Deck Bungees 8
  • Action Mounts: 7.5
  • Handles 7.5
• Accessories – 8
  • Backpack 8
  • Paddle 7.5
  • Pump 7
  • Fins 8.5
• Set-Up/ Take Down – 8

Why Is It a Good Beginner Pick?

If you are looking to take up paddle boarding and you want to eventually bring a pooch with you on your journeys then this is the paddleboard to get! 

The Gili Komodo’s deck pad covers the entire surface of the SUP with 3 different deck pad textures. This means that fido (or anyone or anything) has more grip to stay on the board while you are paddling. Its 33-inch width also gives you the confidence of stability while out in the water.

I have also tested this board with a small child on board and the board performed reasonably well.

On-Water Performance

One of the biggest compliments by customers is the boards stability. It’s a pretty good Yoga pick for those who want to add the dimensions of their yoga practice to the water. I also found the Komodo to be adequately stable for a person of my build (6’1 and 185 lbs). However, I feel like its ideal customer base would be people in the 5’10 range and shorter. For those looking to paddle with larger passengers take a look at the Gili Komodo 11’ SUP whicjh includes a kayak hybrid kit with the package

Besides having above-average stability The Komodo also did pretty well in other on-water performance metrics. With an average on-water score of 8.5/10 with the average of all-around boards we’ve tested being 8/10.  

Perhaps the tracking was the biggest surprise! I was expecting the board to perform below average on this metric but its strokes per side were just above average at 6 strokes a side before correction! This score was one that we found many 11’ boards fell under. A lot of it was down to the Komodo’s prominent 3-fin detachable system which kept the board dialed in while paddling.

Board Features and Design

The Gili Komodo’s biggest strength is what’s on its deck pad. The full-length deck pad allows both you and fellow passengers to get to grips with the board, even in wavey conditions.

The board also has a total of 17 D rings of which 10 are used by deck bungees (6 at the front and 4 in the rear of the board). Outside of the towing and leash bungees the remaining D rings can be used to hold the shoulder strap or a kayak conversion kit. 

Click here to see our Full Review on the Gili Komodo 10’6″ Paddle Board.

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8. Bluefin Cruise 10’8 (Kayak hybrid Pick)

Features

• Dimensions: 10’8″ X 32” X 6”
• Weight: 24 Lbs 
• Maximum Capacity: 330 Lbs
• Material: Exo Surface Laminate (Fusion laminate) 

Total Score 8.3 (Averages of Below Scores)

• On-Water Performance – 8.1
  • Stability: 8
  • Tracking: 8.5
  • Speed: 8
  • Maneuverability: 8 
• SUP Construction – 9
• Board Features  – 8
  • Deck Pad: 9
  • D Rings: 7.5
  • Deck Bungees: 7
  • Action Mounts: 8
  • Handles: 8.5
• Accessories – 8.1
  • Backpack: 8
  • Paddle: 8
  • Pump: 7.5
  • Fins: 9
• Set-Up/ Take Down – 8

Why is It a Good Beginner Pick?

The Bluefin Cruise is a great pick for those who live outside of North America and want a board that ships worldwide without the duty fees associated with it. However, as of recently, the Cruise has been offered in the United States and now Canada with distribution centers just being added.The Cruise is a solid entry board along with its cousin the Cruise Carbon which is a more rigid board due to its double bladder system. . 

The Cruise is a very well-built board that is boosted by its 5-year warranty that protects the board against manufacturer defects. Of course, what boosts this package’s value is the fact that you get a kayak conversion kit INCLUDED with the SUP package in the Royal Blue color. 

On-Water Performance

The Cruise offers solid On-Water Performance ratings where it is solid in all categories but does not entirely stand out in any particular one. The stability of the board is ample although it did get a little hairy testing this board in some of the waves paddling to White Rock Pier. However, in calm lake waters, the board felt more than stable for first-timers to stand on.

We had an opportunity to test this board with two different fin setups. One center fin and the center fin with the two 5” detachable side fins. The board was a lot more maneuverable and a tad bit faster without the side fins but its tracking lacked compared to having all 3 fins attached.

Board Features and Design

One of the onboard features that stuck out to me the most about the Bluefin Cruise was the fact that its deck pad was ultra grippy on the toes. Its thermostatic crocodile deck pad is one of the grippiest deck pads I’ve tried which is especially useful when you are a beginner and you are not entirely sure-footed to begin with. 

Where this board lost some of its marks was with the accessories that were included with the board. While they look fairly impressive I did have a problem with the screw coming loose on both paddle adjustments on both the Cruise and Cruise carbon boards! 

I’m also not the biggest fan of the bag as it feels way too bulky. I understand what Bluefin is trying to do but the board tends to like to fall away from your back, making it feel even more awkward to carry. 

For those who want an upgrade from this board, you can purchase the Cruise Carbon which offers 2 bladders that give you extra stability. The Cruise Carbon also has carbon side rails to increase rigidity and another row of bungee deck webbing towards the back of the board.

Click here to see our Full Review on the Bluefin Cruise 10’8″ Paddle Board.

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9. Gili Meno 11’6” (Capacity Pick)

Features:

• Dimensions: 11’6” X 35” X 6”
• Weight: 24 Lbs 
• Maximum Capacity: 485 Lbs
• Material: Dual Layer Fusion Tech

Total Score: 8.3 (Average of Below Scores)

• On-Water Performance – 8.1
  • Stability 9.5
  • Tracking 8
  • Speed 8
  • Maneuverability 7
• SUP Construction – 9
• Board Features  – 8.3
  • Deck Pad 8
  • D Rings 8
  • Deck Bungees 8.5
  • Action Mounts 8.5
  • Handles 8.5
• Accessories – 8.5
  • Backpack 8.5
  • Paddle 8.5
  • Pump 8
  • Fins 9
• Set-Up/ Take Down – 8

Why Is It a Good Beginner Pick?

The Gili Meno 11’6″ is one of the widest boards on the list listed at 35” wide. Which means that its a very stable board to paddle.  Infact in my tests it is one of the most stable boards I’ve ever tested. Which opens up the board to activities such as SUP Fishing and even SUP Yoga. More on this coming up. 

The Gili Meno 11’6” if often lovingly referred to as the “Big Boy Board!” In fact, we rated it as one of the Best Paddle Boards for Big Guys and Gals. as its dimensions are great for taller/ bigger paddlers who feel unstable on standard sized 10’6” all around SUPs. For those smaller paddlers, there is also the Gili Meno 10’6” which offers a smaller package for medium to smaller while still maintaining that stable platform to fish off of.

On-Water Performance

We talked a lot about stability above so what about other on-water performance metrics?  Logic would dictate that a 35” wide paddle board would feel sluggish to paddle in the water right? The Meno 11’6” was actually surprisingly quick and pretty nimble for a board of its dimensions. Look we’ll get this out of the way now, it’s not the quickest board on the list but I’ve found that it’s able to keep pace with boards that are an inch or 2 thinner in width.

One of the things I like about this package is the fact that the Gili Meno 11’6” comes with 5 fins total! It has 3 clip-on center fins (touring, race and river fins) and 2 side fins that help the board track. This gives you a lot of opportunity to change the board’s set-up to make it track better or be more maneuverable. For best tracking put in the touring fin and 2 side fins in place. For better maneuverability attach the shorter river fin and side fins to help the board be more responsive.

Board Features and Design

This board is built to be as steady a surface as possible thanks to its wide base and its thicker profile. This also means that this is a solid board to use for extra passengers. Its 485 lb max capacity allows you to have more than one person on there without affecting the performance too much.

The board also comes with grab handles and the front and rear bungee deck areas. The deck rigging also gives you a good amount of space to put backpacks, travel bags, and maybe even some camping gear for overnight paddles as your skill level grows.  

Click here to see our Full Review on the Gili Meno 11’6″ Paddle Board.

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10. Body Glove Performer 11 (Popular Pick)

Features

• Dimensions: 11” X 34” X 5.4”
• Weight: 24 Lbs 
• Maximum Capacity: 320 Lbs
• Material: 3 Layer PVC Construction

Total Score: 7.5/10 (Average of Below Scores)

• On-Water Performance – 7.75
  • Stability 8
  • Tracking 7
  • Speed 7.5
  • Maneuverability 8.5
• SUP Construction – 7
• Board Features  – 7.7
  • Deck Pad 8
  • D Rings 6.5
  • Deck Bungees 8
  • Action Mounts: 7
  • Handle 9
• Accessories – 7.5
  • Backpack 7
  • Paddle 7.5
  • Pump 8
  • Fins 7.5
• Set-Up/ Take Down – 7.5

Why is it a Good Beginner SUP Pick?

You see these boards practically everywhere at almost any lake, river, or ocean. And while I’m not one to always choose the popular pick, I do often see people out on boards that are years older than the current generation. 

I also was fairly impressed by some of Body Glove’s on-water performance metrics. We tested the feel of the board directly against the Nixy Monterey and Gili Meno 11’6” and while it was not the fastest or most stable of the two it did a good job keeping up. More in this below. 

On-Water Performance

One of the things that surprised me was the stability of the Performer 11. Especially when you look at the board’s more pointed nose shape. For the materials used, Body Glove did a pretty good job at making the board stable thanks to its wider tail and 34” width in the middle. One thing I did notice though was that you could feel the waves more with this board which puts more strain on your feet when you are paddling longer distances. 

Body Glove has changed its design philosophy from having 3 permanent fins to having 1 slide-in fin. Which I found did sacrifice the board’s tracking ability. However, the maneuverability of the Performer was 4 paddle strokes for a reverse 360 vs our average at 4.2 which gave it a good score, especially for an 11’ board. 

I also found the speed was decent although, the amount of times you had to correct course by switching sides did affect the overall paddling flow of this board. 

Board Features And Design

The Body Glove Performer comes in a fairly standard SUP package although something I appreciated about the 2023 and onward boards is that they come with an electric pump. This is a game changer, especially given the cheaper price you can get from Costco! 

The Performer 11 does feature some good on-board features that are rather useful and innovative. First, they have a center handle that doubles as a bottle/ can holder. This is very useful as deck bungees usually don’t do a particularly good job at holding these items. Another innovative item is the nose guard located on the Body Glove that protects the nose when you breach shore. 

Click here to see our Full Review on the Body Glove Performer 11 Paddle Board.

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How We Tested The Best Paddle Boards For Beginners

All of these boards have been tested through a few different environments over the last few years. Giving you accurate readings as well as some good side-by-side comparisons. For example, we directly compared the Gili Meno 11’6” to the Body Glove Performer 11 to each other on my road trip to the interior of British Columbia in Okanagan Lake and Kootenay Lake outside Kaslo.

Our main criteria go as follows:

• On-Water Performance – __/ 10 (Average of Below Scores)
  • Stability __/ 10
  • Tracking __/ 10
  • Speed __/ 10
  • Maneuverability __/ 10
• SUP Construction – __/ 10
• Board Features – __/ 10 (Average of Below Scores)
  • Deck Pad __/ 10
  • D Rings __/ 10
  • Deck Bungees __/ 10
  • Handles __/ 10
• Accessories – __/ 10 (Average of Below Scores)
  • Backpack __/ 10
  • Paddle __/ 10
  • Pump __/ 10
  • Fins __/ 10
• Set-Up/ Take Down – __/ 10

Our criteria are not weighted so some criteria I recommend you look at as a beginner are Stability, Construction, and Accessories.

• Stability Rating: relates to how easily you can stand and stay on the SUP in a variety of different conditions.
• Construction: is important in that it shows how well the paddle board is made and what materials are put into it. Believe it or not, no 2 paddle boards are the same and the board’s construction has a direct impact on how long it will last when properly taken care of.
• Accessories: Things like a backpack, pump, and paddles can make or break your experience. Things such as walking longer distances to the shoreline, how fast and easily your board gets pumped out, and how tired you get after paddling for more than an hour all have a direct correlation with accessories.

How to Choose a Great Starter SUP

There are a few concepts you should recognize and look for when choosing the best beginner paddle board for yourself.  We go through the most important ones below. 

To see our list of the Best Inflatable Paddle Boards Click here.

To see our detailed guide on How to Choose a Paddle Board Click here.

Quality Construction and Materials

An inflatable paddle board is an inflatable paddle board, right?

Well not quite. When looking for an inflatable SUP the biggest thing to look for is what kind of construction they put into their SUPs. SUPs come in a few different kinds of construction starting from the cheapest to the more expensive materials.

• Single Layer PVC (material you will find on many $200 – $400 boards) 
• Double Layer PVC (More layers but also more glue)
• Triple Layer PVC (Used by iRocker but adds more weight)
• Fusion Laminate PVC (Fuses both layers of PVC into one, often used by machine)
• Custom Layer Construction (Done by paddle boards designed and made inhouse and not overseas. Ex: Red Paddle’s MSL Fusion)

When it comes to price tag an inflatable SUP manufacturer doesn’t just charge more because of their name, the extra cost is labor and the materials put into each board.

For more information on this, we have a What are Paddle Boards Made of? article that explains in more detail.

When I polled some inflatable paddleboard owners this was the most important factor to consider.

Your Size and Weight

Your body size and weight will determine what paddle board is best for you. The general rule of thumb is that the smaller and lighter you are, the shorter your paddle board can be both length and width wise.

A 10’5 board like the Serenelife Freeflow would be good for smaller paddlers because of its 10’ length and 30” width and its 275 lb maximum capacity.

While bigger paddlers would be more comfortable with the larger Gili Meno 11’6” which has a 35” width and a larger stable base for a larger person with a 485 lb maximum capacity. 

For more information on paddle board sizes check out our What Size Inflatable Paddle Board Should I Get? Guide.

Stability Considerations

How do you know how stable a board will be?

One of the first things that you need to look at is the board’s dimensions. As a rule of thumb, the longer and wider the board is the more stable it will be for you. This is because you have a wider platform to stand on. 

Another way to tell how stable a board is is by looking at verified customer reviews from places like Reddit, Amazon, and the manufacturer’s website. 

On-Water Performance Considerations

Much like stability, On-water performance depends on the size and more specifically the shape/ profile of the board. 

The narrower your board the faster and better tracking you will have in the water. Things such as longer fin set-ups can also help influence the board’s tracking capabilities.

As you get into wider shaped boards you start getting better maneuverability which is good for tighter waterways like rivers,and mangroves. 

A lot of the boards on this list have good tracking ability but you won’t be winning any races with them as they are more meant for All-Around performance. 

Budget Considerations

This one will be down to you and what you have available to spend. 

But what I will say about this is that if you are looking for a paddle board that will last you more than a couple of years you should consider going into the $700 and up range. Most of the boards above are in about this range.

There are exceptions like the Serenelife Free Flow board which goes for around 500 and under depending on what discounts are available on Amazon. 

Company Considerations

When choosing an inflatable SUP look at the SUP Company and Brand Reviews. We compiled a few of our favorites here. 

Warranty and Returns

This is often an overlooked criterion but it’s important to know how well you are protected against manufacturer defects. 

A standard policy I look for is at least a 2-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Make sure you look at the exact terms of each policy (usually found at the bottom of the page)  as sometimes SUP companies will charge a restocking fee or the items needs to be returned in like-new condition. 

Customer Service

You can tell a lot by the quality of the SUP manufacturer by how it serves its customers. An easy way to look at it is to look at the reviews on the manufacturer’s page. But this is not always the most reliable metric. 

Some SUP brands often have the ability to choose what they put in as a review and very often they will post only positive customer reviews. 

Good unbiased places to look for customer reviews are:

• Amazon Reviews (They will post everything)
• The Brands Facebook Page (Every Review on here has to be displayed) 
• Trust Pilot (Sometimes you can find the more popular SUP manufacturer on here) 

Also, try reaching out to the company yourself and see how quickly they respond to your requests. This is usually a good indicator of how responsive they are. 

FAQ’s

Below are some common FAQs we get from customers looking for a first-time SUP.