Paddleboard buying guide

Paddleboarding is the easiest sport on the estuary to get into, and the board you pick decides whether you enjoy it or not. Here is how to choose.

Inflatable or hard?

For most people in Exmouth an inflatable is the right choice. It packs into a bag, fits in the car, and a good one is stiff enough for everything from the Duck Pond to a paddle up the Exe. Hard boards glide better and are faster, which matters if you want to tour or race, but they need storage and a roof rack.

Size

Length and width set stability. A beginner or family all-rounder is usually 10'6" to 11'6" long and 32" to 34" wide. Lighter paddlers and kids can go shorter and narrower. If you plan to carry a child or a dog, or you are over 90kg, go longer and wider.

• Under 70kg: 10' to 10'6", 30" to 32" wide
• 70 to 90kg: 10'6" to 11'6", 32" to 34" wide
• Over 90kg or paddling with a passenger: 11'6" to 12'6", 34" plus

For inflatables, 6 inches thick is the standard. Thinner boards flex in the middle and feel wobbly.

Paddle

An adjustable three-piece paddle is the sensible starting point. Alloy is the cheapest but heavy. A fibreglass or carbon shaft makes a bigger difference to your enjoyment than most people expect, because you lift the paddle thousands of times in a session. Set the length to roughly your height plus 15 to 20cm.

Leash and buoyancy aid

A leash keeps the board with you when you fall, and the board is your biggest float. On the sea or a moving-water estuary use a quick-release waist leash rather than an ankle leash, so you can free yourself if it snags. A buoyancy aid is strongly recommended and needed for any of our sessions.

Wetsuit or not?

Summer afternoons on the Duck Pond, boardshorts are fine. Anything else, wear a wetsuit. A 3/2mm suit in summer and a 4/3mm or 5/4mm outside it. Neoprene boots keep your feet warm on the board and off the stones.

Try before you buy

Hire a board from us for an hour and you will know very quickly what feels right. Hire fees come off the price if you buy on the same visit.