SUP Surfing: the 3 things you should know in order to buy the right equipment

Increasingly trendy thanks to its ease of use and pleasantness, SUP surfing is an activity suitable for all types of athletes of any age, from the committed competitor to the occasional excursionist looking for a moment of solitary relaxation in the midst of nature.

Unlike surfing, wind surfing, or kiting, which are dependent on particular places and weather conditions to be practiced, SUP surfing adapts very well to different itineraries and seasons, because you can practice it in the sea, at the lake, or on rivers and streams.

But to ensure that every excursion in the water is pleasant and safe, it is important to possess the correct equipment - beginning with his majesty, the board.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING YOUR SUP BOARD

The very first thing to consider is whether you want to buy a rigid or an inflatable SUP surfing board: if you are a beginner or occasional SUP user, then the inflatable board is your best choice!

Lower in cost and size, easy to use and transport, highly resistant in all water conditions, inflatable SUP surfing boards are generally made with a specific PVC equipped with a lamellar air chamber (drop stitch) which gives extreme rigidity when inflating, because of its filament structure.

However, when deflated, it can easily be rolled up and placed in the appropriate bag or in a backpack, allowing you to transport it to any place even if it cannot be reached by car - which would be decidedly more difficult and tiring in the case of a rigid board.

When purchasing your board, however, remember to pay close attention to its dimensions: wider and thicker boards guarantee greater stability, while the tapered models are ideal for those looking for greater speed. All really depends on your needs!

ESSENTIAL ACCESSORIES FOR SUP SURFING

Once you have chosen the SUP Surfing board, it is time to proceed with its "rudder": the paddle is the device that, together with your arms, allows the board to advance and change direction. In this case too, dimensions are very important for correct navigation. You should always stand upright, with one arm raised, and the paddle knob should never exceed the height of the wrist!

The leash (i.e. the lace that must always be connected to your ankle when entering the water) is also of fundamental importance: in the event of a sudden fall or a pleasant dive into the water, the leash will always keep the board connected to you, preventing it from moving away.

Since SUP Surfing can be practiced in every season, it is also important to purchase the appropriate clothing, such as sun cream, hat, and sports sunglasses in the summer season, and a wetsuit of the correct thickness in the spring or cold season. In the latter case, we also suggest shoes to protect yourself from the water temperature during paddling.

Last, the inflator for your SUP Surfing board, but this deserves a separate chapter.

WHICH INFLATOR TO CHOOSE FOR YOUR SUP SURFING BOARD

Many people choose to save money on their inflator without thinking twice. This is a very understandable choice, given that every inflator has its own particular strengths. We do still recommend, however, that you first learn about all the main types and related characteristics of inflators on the market, because often what seems like an unjustifiably overpriced item turns out to be a great investment in terms of time and convenience.

Specifically, there are three main types of devices for inflating a SUP Surfing board: manual, pedal, and electric. The first two are cheaper and lighter to transport, while the electric one is without a doubt the most performing and comfortable, inflating and deflating the board in a few minutes without requiring any physical effort.

If you would like to know more, we at Scoprega have been dedicated to the world of inflators for SUP Surfing boards for over 40 years: try taking a look at the products on our website!