Levelling Up Your SUP Game

Hardboards - Are They All That

There is an age old question that will always be asked when it comes to inflatables Vs hardboards and the answer is pretty simple...'What are you looking for'?

Hardboards perform a lot better across all areas aside storage - but you don't by a hardboard if you live in tiny flat, right? 😉

Whether it's an all rounder like a Bamboo Bullet, a Carbon Pro, the Pink Panther or a Wooden Menace - all our hardboards are up to the task.

Hardboards sit lower in the water and due to the tapering of the centre of the rail to the nose and tail, there is a lot less volume sitting proud of the surface of the water. This means that on windier days, you don't have a solid shape sitting 'on' the water and the rail doesn't act like a sail. 

The feel of a hardboard is far different to an inflatable as there is zero play. This means that even a board inflated to its maximum pressure - 22.5psi for the Pure Art & 15psi for the AirStick - will still have movement.

All inflatable boards will have an element of deflection or flex - it's simple science. 

Surf & Surfing

When it comes to surfing, inflatables do not perform anywhere near as well as hardboards.

It's not possible to emulate the rigidity of a hardboard in an inflatable paddle board. If you're buying a board in the hope to learn to surf - the hardboard is your answer and the way forward. 

Inflatables - Are The Overinflated😉

Not at all! Inflatables are the 'go to' board construction for the majority of SUPers - and no, owning an inflatable paddle board doesn't make you a kook or a part time boarder - you are just as much of a SUPer as a hardboard owner. 

Inflatable Benefits

The major reason is storage. Storing an inflatable is so much easier. You can tuck it away in a cupboard/shed/garage and not worry about it, whereas with a hardboard, due to its construction, you don't need to be as 'gentle'.

Easy to fix and simple to transport are other big factors in owning an inflatable. We take our boards away with us every single summer and they are game changers. 

All our boards are created using high quality drop stitch material and even though every inflatable has some level of flex, the better you buy, the less the flex. We pride ourselves on our construction and the processes we have in place to keep the boards as rigid as humanly possible. 

The Conclusion

...like we said at the beginning. What are your needs?

The most important thing to know is that you should buy from a reputable brand that knows what they are talking about and that doesn't pump out boards in the summer months to make a quick buck. 

Boards are great, but with the wrong equipment or advice, they can be dangerous.

So choose your brand wisely.