Racing Paddle Boards

What You Need To Know About Racing Paddle Boards

Racing paddle boards have come a long way since their ancient origins when the boards were used as a conveyance for water travelers to go to other islands in the aquatic neighborhood. But what used to be a means of travel is now a sport. The transition from the long-ago transportation to fast fun in the water began happening around 2004, after paddle board racing turned into a technique for riders to get onto the big waves quicker. But once the fun of racing paddle boards became widely known, its popularity took off.
The original paddle boards were rudimentary in construction but that’s changed. Along with the evolution of the sport came the transformation of the boards which take to the rivers, lakes, bays, and even the ocean. For beginners who are new to racing paddle boards, racing in the lake is best. After the unique racing skills are honed, a paddleboarder might be ready for the river, where it’s possible to face the rapids. Ready for the ocean? The surf awaits you!

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The Best Dimensions To Race Paddle Board

The length of the board makes a difference if you want to race. A longer board has the advantage of traveling smoothly across the water, but remember that length is harder to control. A racing board spans between 12 to 14 feet on average but can be longer. Although greater length is a must for a fast racing paddle board, the opposite is true when it’s a matter of width. If the paddle board is wider, it’s also slower. The average width of 28 inches or less is what riders who race paddle boards are looking for.

In order to determine the weight a board can hold and still remain stable, the volume needs to be calculated. Racers weighing up to 235 pounds need a volume of 175L; a 242L volume can carry weight up to 300 pounds. If you weigh more than 300 pounds, you’ll want a board whose minimum volume capacity is no less than 272L. It’s a plus if your board’s volume capacity exceeds the minimum that you need. But you don’t want to cut the volume capacity too much, or your board will be slow and hard to maneuver.

Racers who weigh under 200 pounds can freely choose their boards. But those racers who weigh over 200 pounds need to be sure the board they choose is capable of supporting their weight capacity. So what should you do if your goal is to race paddle boards, but your height and weight make it hard for you to balance on a narrow board? You can start out on a board that’s 32 inches wide. As you get used to the dimensions of the board, you can gradually adapt to the narrower board.
A board that’s 6 inches thick is recommended for racing because it’s capable of cutting effectively through the water and supporting a rider’s weight at the same time. That rigidity and stability enhance the kind of speed that’s needed for racing.

Buying The Best Racing Paddle Boards

A racing paddle board isn’t a low-cost investment. A typical range for the price is from $1000 to $2800. You can end up paying more, or less, but a reasonable baseline to keep in mind when you go racing paddle board shopping is around $1800.

Becoming the best paddle board racer on the best racing boards means blending the balance, agility, and strength of the human body with the equipment that’s designed to meet the challenge. The design of a high-performance racing paddle board is intended for those who can handle the rigors of racing. These SUP boards are not intended for those who are just starting out in the sport.

There’s no wasted space on racing paddle boards. You’re likely to see storage areas on a typical paddle board, and you might see more than one rider. You won’t see that on a racing board that’s designed for competition because extra riders or storage risk slowing the board down or causing it to be unstable.

Racing Stand Up Paddle Boards Are Built For Speed

The long, sleek racing stand up paddle boards place a priority on speed and tracking that rivals all other stand up paddle boards. Designed to tear through the waterways, a racing SUP is built for speed. That design is no accident. The boards go through research, development, and testing in authentic racing environments to guarantee that speed meets expectations. For the paddle board enthusiast who wants to race, the choice of the board that can accomplish that ambition is an important one. 

Which To Choose: A Solid Or Inflatable Race Paddle Board?

If you want to race paddle boards but you’re on a budget when buying, you might want to choose an inflatable race paddle board. If your inflatable paddle board comes with heavy stitching and PVC, you can count on it being as durable as a solid board.

When choosing a solid board, make sure that it’s made of lightweight materials—Kevlar or carbon fiber–that deliver the thickness that you need without weight in order to maintain an advantage when racing.

Best Hull Design For A Race SUP Board

A displacement hull is a superior choice if you’re investing in a race SUP board. Although a planing hull, with its flatter, wider nose gives more stability, the displacement hull’s pointed shape gives the board an aerodynamic advantage by pushing the water to one side and moving faster. Remember, though, that you’re sacrificing stability for speed. That’s a logical choice for racing, but you’ll need to be confident that you can maintain balance and stay on your board when speeds increase.