Paddle board advice (7 Viewers)

[suavecarve]

We have come to the opinion we think we could get on with a paddleboard.

We think we want one which would carry the pair of us c150 kgs and whether that would be both standing up or not or one sat down doesn't overly concern us. We presume you can both sit on them and use them in a canoe style as well with the picnic in a waterproof rucksack.

Is there a paddleboard size that we would need ?
Are the ones from Temu cost effective ? I.e. the same as Amazon only cheaper.

We see their use as when we are parked by lake or river with the motorhome as don't want to transport them too far. Sea usage is not discounted.

What other things do we need to consider (we are both relatively strong swimmers)

 

[rosalan]

Winter waters are on the way.

 

[Rollingwheels]

Another option worth considering is a fold up kayak we have two and they fold down small enough to go in our garage along with our bikes, they are a lot easier to control than a paddle board especially if you are considering sitting on it rather than standing up and they do a two person one also.

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Oru Kayak Europe designs high-performance, folding kayaks for all types of paddlers. Oru kayaks are easy to transport and store, letting you explore like never before.

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[suavecarve]

Another option worth considering is a fold up kayak we have two and they fold down small enough to go in our garage along with our bikes, they are a lot easier to control than a paddle board especially if you are considering sitting on it rather than standing up and they do a two person one also.

Folding Kayaks That Go Anywhere | Oru Kayak Europe

Oru Kayak Europe designs high-performance, folding kayaks for all types of paddlers. Oru kayaks are easy to transport and store, letting you explore like never before.

www.orukayak.com

We have an inflatable canoe but never really used it.
Might consider giving it another go.

 

[Mike123]

My advice would be what ever - take some lessons, as you will be surprised when you have the correct process re standing, paddling, turning it will help you when out on the water.

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[MichaelT]

Those dinghy things the use in the English channel seem to be fairly robust

 

[AlunandFelicie]

Another option worth considering is a fold up kayak we have two and they fold down small enough to go in our garage along with our bikes, they are a lot easier to control than a paddle board especially if you are considering sitting on it rather than standing up and they do a two person one also.

Folding Kayaks That Go Anywhere | Oru Kayak Europe

Oru Kayak Europe designs high-performance, folding kayaks for all types of paddlers. Oru kayaks are easy to transport and store, letting you explore like never before.

www.orukayak.com

Very interesting I’ve never heard of this before

 

[Jim]

eddie is a paddle board expert, or so I hear

 

[MrPG]

Paddleboarding is my job.
Strange I know that someone can make a living from this I won’t recommend a brand as I don’t know your budget. The budget really does make a difference. My recomendation If your going to look at one the brands on Amazon to carry two people is to get one that will inflate to 20psi.

I would get two smaller boards and paddle together.

Also before buying one many UK centres run ‘taster’ sessions with a qualified instructor where you can see if it’s for you.
At our own centre this is only £39 for two hours and is money well spent before investing.

Paul

 

[Rollingwheels]

Very interesting I’ve never heard of this before

Yes they are very rigid and robust when opened up ride very similar to a conventional kayak

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[RM_Marine]

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This can help you choose what you need

 

[IRHP]

Having had a paddle board for several years I would advise if you want two of you on the water then get 2 boards or a blow up kayak for 2. 2 people on a paddle board is just for a carry on. One unbalances the other.

 

[Landy Andy]

What do you want them for?
Just messing about on water, or to get somewhere?

If you want to get somewhere then there are touring bards which are far better for travelling.

A good board is not a lite as you may think, it does not pack that small and other kit is required to. Such as pump, paddle, ankle strap. The pumping up takes time, and or power. They need a lot of air, and quite a high pressure (18-20psi). 12v, battery, and manual available. You also want a pump that vacuums it out too.

There are seats available that make them more canoe like but for this use a different paddle is required.

We have recently got a pair, and I’m still trying to work out why. Sitting down makes more sense.

 

[suavecarve]

What do you want them for?
Just messing about on water, or to get somewhere?

If you want to get somewhere then there are touring bards which are far better for travelling.

A good board is not a lite as you may think, it does not pack that small and other kit is required to. Such as pump, paddle, ankle strap. The pumping up takes time, and or power. They need a lot of air, and quite a high pressure (18-20psi). 12v, battery, and manual available. You also want a pump that vacuums it out too.

There are seats available that make them more canoe like but for this use a different paddle is required.

We have recently got a pair, and I’m still trying to work out why. Sitting down makes more sense.

More for getting to do something on a lake and/or getting to the nooks and crannies of the lakes/rivers. I think I need to revisit our inflateable canoe. I know its missing the keel thing but I must be able to get one of them

 

[Landy Andy]

More for getting to do something on a lake and/or getting to the nooks and crannies of the lakes/rivers. I think I need to revisit our inflateable canoe. I know its missing the keel thing but I must be able to get one of them

Replacement keel must be easy to get as they are often lost, and also come in different flavours depending on what you are doing.
I would have preferred canoes, but I got the PBs for nothing, so worth a play.

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[ChrisL]

Does anyone make inflatable windsurfers do you think? I did a lot of windsurfing back in the day but there's no room for a rigid one in the van.

 

[barryd]

Not a paddle board but this is my inflatable Kayak. Sevylor Madison. Had it yonks. Been all over with it from the Scottish islands to the med. Its pretty battered now but I love it. If there are two of you I would reckon its more practical than a paddle board. Plenty of space to pack stuff for a picnic and store a dry bag. The whole thing goes in a bag and I can carry it on the scooter. Double skin and really tough.

 

[DangerMousy]

Does anyone make inflatable windsurfers do you think? I did a lot of windsurfing back in the day but there's no room for a rigid one in the van.

Have a look at wingsurfing/wingfoiling....its not quite the same but looks pretty similar (to us non-experts!) and the equipment is inflatable.

 

[suavecarve]

Not a paddle board but this is my inflatable Kayak. Sevylor Madison. Had it yonks. Been all over with it from the Scottish islands to the med. Its pretty battered now but I love it. If there are two of you I would reckon its more practical than a paddle board. Plenty of space to pack stuff for a picnic and store a dry bag. The whole thing goes in a bag and I can carry it on the scooter. Double skin and really tough.

We ve got the 3 person version. I couldn't remember the name of it.

I ll find a keel for it over winter I think and re try that.

I found it a tad annoying as I used to canoe. But if I lower my expectations it should do the business and save me some money as well

 

[Minxy]

Paddle boards look great but having tried one they're not the easiest things to use in anything but calm weather and on calm water (unless you intentionally want to get soaked!). For me this would prove restrictive as I like it when it's a bit rougher so I can bob up and down over the waves ... I even chase the large cruise liners and commercial boat on canals etc to go over their wakes!

Paddle boards also come in various types/sizes so you'd need to choose carefully that what you buy is the right one, I wouldn't go for a 2-person one as I think that's asking for trouble ... and arguments.

If you do decide to go the kayak route and get another one more suitable (ie 2 instead of 3 seater), then have a look at Gumotex ones, not sure if they still do the 'Twist 2' but I have the Twist 1 and it's very compact for storage and extremely manoeuvrable so a lot of fun, they have a skeg so track well too. Quality and use wise as they are single but very thick skinned (multilayer) they tough, easy to dry off (although not necessary) and store away unlike many which are the bladder type (internal bladder inside a zipped cover) which can take days to dry out properly ... been there, never again!

If you search under my user ID and Gumotex you'll find loads of info.

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[BouncyBoatFolk]

More for getting to do something on a lake and/or getting to the nooks and crannies of the lakes/rivers. I think I need to revisit our inflateable canoe. I know its missing the keel thing but I must be able to get one of them

What make is your inflatable?
Mike.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Paddle boards look great but having tried one they're not the easiest things to use in anything but calm weather and on calm water (unless you intentionally want to get soaked!). For me this would prove restrictive as I like it when it's a bit rougher so I can bob up and down over the waves ... I even chase the large cruise liners and commercial boat on canals etc to go over their wakes!

Paddle boards also come in various types/sizes so you'd need to choose carefully that what you buy is the right one, I wouldn't go for a 2-person one as I think that's asking for trouble ... and arguments.

If you do decide to go the kayak route and get another one more suitable (ie 2 instead of 3 seater), then have a look at Gumotex ones, not sure if they still do the 'Twist 2' but I have the Twist 1 and it's very compact for storage and extremely manoeuvrable so a lot of fun, they have a skeg so track well too. Quality and use wise as they are single but very thick skinned (multilayer) they tough, easy to dry off (although not necessary) and store away unlike many which are the bladder type (internal bladder inside a zipped cover) which can take days to dry out properly ... been there, never again!

If you search under my user ID and Gumotex you'll fihttps://www.coastwatersports.co.uk/pro-flash-200-high-pressure-person-inflatable-kayak-pump-package-p-20410.html?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjNS3BhChARIsAOxBM6rRMZhATkglljdJB30yjaBmZ-S5cuQMv2q3gWBujmC_GFlclUPfzrgaAubXEALw_wcBnd loads of info.

+1 Gumotex. Also,

Z-Pro Flash 200 High Pressure 2 Person Inflatable Kayak & Pump Package

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www.coastwatersports.co.uk

These are not Nitrilon, but a very tough PVC. I had a single version, and just picked up a double for a steal £509.00, which was a one off really great price. Can be used as dry or wet boat with screw out bungs in the floor. Tips the scales at a reasonable 17kg.
Mike.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

We ve got the 3 person version. I couldn't remember the name of it.

I ll find a keel for it over winter I think and re try that.

I found it a tad annoying as I used to canoe. But if I lower my expectations it should do the business and save me some money as well

This one, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12658292...pid=5339023013&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1
Get 2, 1 as a spare.
Mike.

 

[Lenny HB]

Forget about 2 adults on a paddleboard it will be a PIA.
I ended up with one by accident bought it for my daughter as a birthday present but unknown to me here hubby got her one so I kept it for myself.

If is good fun but limited by conditions, if it's windy you often go backwards and have to kneel down to paddle back against the wind. Only useable on rivers with very slow currents unless there is someone to transport you back.
Only used mine once at home this year as its been too windy all year.

My £300 Amazon Goosewing job is as good as daughter's £400 Two Bare Feet but hers looks posher. A friend has £800 one and he reckons mine is better on the sea. I think it's pot luck with the cheap ones.

I have a two wheel trolly I strap it to, for getting down the beach 200yds as the crow fly but 500 yds around the road & of course an electric pump.

grasscutter & his other half Paddleboarder are into quite serious paddleboarding.

 

[Minxy]

Just found this on Ebay ... the sharks wouldn't mistake you for a penguin!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/176591932672?mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5339023013&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

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[suavecarve]

What make is your inflatable?
Mike.

Sevylor.

If I remember correctly it is sold as a 3 person but we used it as a spacious 2 person as the seats move to suit.

 

[grasscutter]

Forget two of you trying to stand on one paddle board. If you are just going to play around the two of you could sit on one and paddle about quite slowly.
For a starter boards the Lidl Mistral boards are OK.
Decathlon itwit boards get reasonable reviews.
Mid range boards will be in the region of £400.
Top end boards like Red Paddle or Starboard will be £800+
Depending where you are going to learn you probably will need wetsuits ( you fall off a lot when learning).
Also if going out of your depth you need to learn how to get back on a board.
A PFD ( personal flotation device) that’s not too bulky should also be considered.
What starts out as a bit of fun can become addictive.
We take our boards with us all over Europe.
Please don’t look at boards like the Temu ones or really cheap Tesco/The Range they really are only fit for children to play on.

 

[Googlebot]

I have a couple, I used to teach kayaking and canoeing to a fairly high level so I knew what I wanted.

I have the cheapest two bare feet one and another from Decathlon, not sure who makes it, but the two bare feet one is much, much more stable. Width really matters, however, the wider it is, the harder work it will be to paddle.

Also, the paddle makes a huge difference. I like the stiff carbon fibre ones, shaft and blade with a big blade. You do need to try a few though to see what suits.

I didn’t want an expensive one, it gets rolled up wet and stays that way for months, so far I have had them for 4 years and they are still going strong. Electric pump helps, but is slow and noisy.

I love doing trips on them, however, if the wind is over 10mph ish, I don’t even bother. They are awful in anything but calm days and very hard work.

My advice if you already have a canoe would be to keep it. It can do much more than the paddle board in a much bigger range of weather.

 

[suavecarve]

I think the canoe will be tried again. I probably expected too much from it.
We have bouyancy aids which came with the canoe but I dont think I would bother with them, certainly not for canoeing in the inflatable and probably not for SUP.
Really not concerned about falling into the water and we have wetsuits (5mm) from our surfing days and I have white water and surf canoed and was a lifeguard instructor and Paula was a lifeguard, and owing to how we would use these inflatable toys. I just cant foresee how a bouyancy aid would be of use to us. (yes I know I could fall off and hit my head etc but that hasnt happened and is highly highly unlikely to happen in a canoe on a lake as I think they are basically impossible to roll.

I get the width side of things from surfing as I had a 10 foot 6 long board (as I was rubbish at it !) But I did have a 7 foot 2 malibu where I could still do things on it, but I was a much better body boarder

Thanks for everyones input

 

[Googlebot]

I think the canoe will be tried again. I probably expected too much from it.
We have bouyancy aids which came with the canoe but I dont think I would bother with them, certainly not for canoeing in the inflatable and probably not for SUP.
Really not concerned about falling into the water and we have wetsuits (5mm) from our surfing days and I have white water and surf canoed and was a lifeguard instructor and Paula was a lifeguard, and owing to how we would use these inflatable toys. I just cant foresee how a bouyancy aid would be of use to us. (yes I know I could fall off and hit my head etc but that hasnt happened and is highly highly unlikely to happen in a canoe on a lake as I think they are basically impossible to roll.

I get the width side of things from surfing as I had a 10 foot 6 long board (as I was rubbish at it !) But I did have a 7 foot 2 malibu where I could still do things on it, but I was a much better body boarder

Thanks for everyones input

I would strongly advise a PFD for any water sports.

Having been to more drowning incidents than I care to remember, the common theme in all of them, is that they weren’t wearing a PFD of some sort. As soon as you go sub surface, we can’t find you very easily if at all.

I know they are a faff and hot, but the alternatives are worse.

It isn’t just about falling in and hitting your head, you might have an equipment failure, or bad weather, or a medical episode.

I know I am dull, but I wear mine always.

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