LE MAGAZINEHow to choose your inflatable stand up paddle?
Accessible to all, the Stand-Up Paddle is a great way to get away from it all and go on an adventure. Combining physical activity and escapism, SUP, like cycling, is broken down into several disciplines. Whether you prefer a family ride, a sporty ride (or paddle race), a duo SUP or even surfing, there is a paddle adapted to each of these practices. Given the number of different practices, you need to know how to choose the right Stand Up Paddle model for your practice.
At SROKA, we are first and foremost a team of passionate people. We have been developing our range of inflatable stand-up paddle boards ourselves since 2013. It is through hard work that we manage to develop one of the best products on the market to allow you to have maximum pleasure in the water.
Being concerned about our environmental impact, we make it a point of honor to develop paddles with a maximized lifespan that will limit the use of new resources.
Practicing SUP in complete safety and with the appropriate and quality equipment is essential. That’s why we choose to offer different ranges of boards. In this way, everyone finds happiness according to their expectations and desires.
Choose your SUP according to your level and size
Paddle for BEGINNERS
For beginners, choose a wider board that provides more stability. Indeed, the wider the paddle, the more stable it is. Our Malibu range is perfect for beginners.
Depending on your size, the size of the board is longer or shorter. For Malibus, prefer the 10′ for those under 90kg and the 10’6 for those over 90kg or those looking for a very high stability.
Paddle for ADVANCED
When you progress and feel more comfortable, you can choose a narrower board to have more responsiveness and glide. For sporty hikes or rides, a narrower SUP board allows for a better glide due to the reduction of friction zones on the water. This is particularly the case for the Alpha range, the Easy 11’6 and 12’6 or the Girly.
Choose your stand-up paddle according to the spot
CALM BODY OF WATER
If you are sailing in clame water (calm waters, lakes, ponds), a narrower and thinner Stand-Up Paddle can be considered for beginners. If you want to have a more cardio practice and more speed you can turn to a model with a pointed nose (Alpha or Easy 11’6 and 12’6) which will combine stability, speed and performance.
CHOPPY BODY OF WATER
For rough waters (seas, oceans, rivers) slightly wider boards will offer you more stability and improve your balance.
This is the case with the Easy and the Malibus, for example.
Malibu SUP: the perfect range for beginners
The inflatable Stand Up Paddle from the Malibu range are a perfect compromise to start and progress. These boards are perfect for beginners or family practice. Ultra versatile, the Malibu are perfect for walks, surfing or trying yoga. Their versatility also gives them a lot of room for improvement!
These are top-of-the-range products at SROKA. The Malibu are very durable boards over time, we equip many clubs and nautical centers with this professional range. The Malibu have a reinforced construction. They have three layers of PVC on the rails as well as two layers, fused together, on the top and bottom of the paddle.
In the same vein, we have the Girly range of women’s paddle boards . They are high-performance models with a refined design. In this range, we find the Malibu Girly 10′ model which is similar to the classic Malibu 10′ but in a version adapted for women’s sizes. If you want a faster paddle, the Girly 11’6 and 12’6 have a thinner nose that allows you to gain glide and cover more distance while minimizing your effort.
Suitable for beginners, the design of the Girly makes them unique boards that allow you to combine fun, sport and aesthetics.
Inflatable paddle boards for hiking or performance research
For long-distance hikes, opt for boards with a pointed nose. They make it possible to cut through the water and thus cover more distance with less effort to move forward. For this, we have created the Easy 11’6×32 inflatable paddle board and the Easy 12’6×32. These SUPs have a pleasant glide with great stability. Faster than the Easy 10′, these two models are suitable for both beginners and advanced, but also if you want to hike at an attractive price.
Prefer the Easy 11’6 if you are a beginner or for long walks. It will provide you with more comfort and manoeuvrability compared to the Easy 12’6. These models are sold like all Easy in complete packs with hand pump, aluminum paddle, leash, fin and carry bag.
If you are looking for a top-of-the-range board to go hiking, work on your cardio while having a gain in performance, opt for the Alpha range of inflatable paddles. This range combines speed and rigidity. It is an excellent compromise for those who want a high-performance, durable board with a superb glide and that results in great speed performance. Sold with a high-end wheeled carry bag, it will be very easy for you to bring it to all your favorite spots.
Looking for speed? The longer the Stand Up Paddle board, the more the board glides with minimal effort. The SUP will keep a constant and straight trajectory. The Alpha 12’6×31 and Easy 12’6×32 are the perfect options for anyone looking for glide, performance and stability.
How to choose between the Easy 12’6×32 and the Alpha 12’6×31?
Both of these paddles are built with the same material base, i.e. PVC used on RIB boats, these are high-end materials, compared to some brands that use truck tarpaulin PVCs. The Alpha 12’6×31 and the Easy 12’6×32 are touring boards, they will both give you great sensations.
If you want to go on sporty hikes, the Alpha 12’6 will offer you a better glide because it is narrower. The Easy 12’6 is wider, so you’ll have better stability.
In summary, the wider the SUP, the more stable it is and the less it will slip.
The Alpha 12’6×28 will therefore be even faster, but a little less stable because it is narrower. It will be more aimed at more experienced people.
With three layers on the rails compared to two for the Easy, the Alpha is more resistant. It will also be more durable over time thanks to the fusion technology with which it is built. The Easy is ideal for a first purchase. Made with high-end materials just like the Alpha, it has an excellent quality/price ratio, but will still remain less rigid compared to the Alpha range.
Inflatable SUP for stand-up paddle racing
The practice of Stand Up Paddle Race is the most physical discipline of the SUP. It’s all about speed, endurance and technique. For paddle racing, the ideal boards have a long, thin outline with a pointed bow-shaped nose to optimize glide and cut through the water with minimal friction and a thinner tail (rear) to reduce drag.
The practice of Stand-Up Paddle racing can be broken down into three categories :
- Flatwater : A discipline combining endurance, cardio, power and technique. The principle of the race is to complete courses of different distances (linear or loop) on a flat body of water, which can range from 3 km to more than 50 km.
- Downwinding : It is a sport that combines endurance, gliding and seaworthiness. The principle is to make a journey from point A to point B. The course is in the direction of the wind and waves to surf the swell with your paddle.
- The Beach Race : The race is offered with a beach start, board in hand, where the runners lead passages located in the waves and others on land. It is often a short and intense format that is around 5 km long.
Long distances.
If you are looking for maximum glide and efficiency, opt forthe Alpha 12’6×28 and 14’x27″ boards. Due to their shape designed to combine speed and glide, these boards offer optimal performance in competition. They are relatively narrow and will therefore provide you with a phenomenal glide. With these boards no more excuses, the material won’t be a problem. Only your technical level will make the difference!
Can you surf with an inflatable paddle board?
Surfing with a paddle board is all about catching waves, while using the paddle as a motor and fulcrum. To do this, you need a rounder board than a classic paddle board in order to go down the wave with ease.
At SROKA we have designed the ideal SUP board for surfing, the Waves 9’5 Fusion inflatable paddle board. Easy to carry, this Stand-Up Paddle will allow you to go from rides to surfing with ease. Indeed, the SUP Waves is adapted primarily for waves but you can also go for nice rides with it.
Relatively short and with a round outline, the Waves 9’5 will allow you to make nice curves on the waves. With a reduced thickness for better contact with the wave, this board adapts to all levels of practice. Finally, the grippy pad it has makes it easier to maneuver while surfing and makes it more fluid.
SUP in DUO with 2 people
Who has ever wanted to go Stand-Up Paddle as a couple or as a family (two adults and two children)? Whether you’re a family, a couple or a group of friends, SROKA has you covered. Our DUO Easy and DUO boards are perfect for tandem paddle boarding.
- Very stable and practical, the DUO Easy will make you share unique moments on the water in complete safety. This 15’9 foot (457 cm) board has two bungee cords, one on the front and one on the back, so you can take your stuff however you want. Its raised nose will make you effortlessly pass the chop of the water. Built with quality materials, the Easy DUO board supports up to 220 kg and has an inimitable durability.
- Lighter and stiffer, the SUP DUO is designed to offer you good stability while having an excellent glide. As stable as the Easy DUO, the DUO is stiffer and therefore faster thanks to its design designed to make it more efficient. Indeed, the SUP DUO is made with the best Dropstich (layering technique) and PVC on the market, in order to ensure you a gliding sensation similar to a rigid paddle. At 16 feet long (487 cm) and highly rigid, it can support up to 320 kg.
Discover the Giant SUP XL and XXL
For those who don’t want to limit themselves to sliding in pairs, there are giant inflatable paddles at SROKA that can accommodate up to eight people. If you want to have fun with two or even six, the Giant SUP XL is for you. Want to be even more? The XXL Giant SUP allows you to share moments on the water with eight people.
If you still have questions about this, or for any other request, please do not hesitate to contact us !
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