Yes. However, your rate of success for surfing while using a paddleboard will depend on a number of factors. These will include your size, weight, and body shape. To put it in a blunt fashion, the heavier you are, the less success you will have surfing on a board of this type.
This will be likewise with your overall body shape. Surfing on a paddleboard is a bit like being a jockey on a race horse. You want to be smaller so as to take up less volume on the board. The smaller you are, the more streamlined your motion will be as you ride the board over the course of the waves.
This may be one of the prime reasons why so many people are turning to the use of paddleboards instead of the conventional surfboard. People who tend to be smaller have a harder time riding a surfboard. This is all the more true if you are out in relatively deep water further from the shoreline.
Small children and petite women can ride on a paddleboard with a great deal more security than they can on a surfboard. As a result, this is an activity that appeals to a great number of people who may not have had the chance to enjoy it under former conditions. For this reason, paddle boarding is growing in popularity.
Is it Easier to Surf with a Paddleboard?
If you are smaller in body weight, size, and general proportions, the answer may well be yes, it’s easier to surf with a stand up paddleboard. This is due to the reasons that have been discussed above. The less volume you occupy with your body, the more adaptable you will be to the general conditions that are required for a successful paddle boarding experience.
Another reason will have to do with your SUP level. A solid paddleboard will usually be easier for a smaller person to use than an inflatable one. This has to do with the fact that solid paddle boards have a much lower center of gravity as they move through the water. The lower the center, the easier it is to maneuver the board.
As a result, you will definitely want to get the board that is appropriate for your weight, size, and general mass. If you are heavier, you may prefer an inflatable board. If you are much smaller and lighter, a more solid board will be of much more use. Size, weight, and the rigidity of your paddleboard are the determining factors.
How To Learn Surfing With A Paddle Board
1. Pick the Right Board
If you are a smaller person, a rigid board is probably your best bet. For persons of larger size, an inflatable board is better. This is because you can inflate the board to give yourself the precise rigidity you need to stay buoyant and move efficiently through the waves.
2. Pick the Right Paddle
It depends once again on your size. Smaller persons should pick an SUP paddle. This will be more lightweight and easier to maneuver. SUP paddles are normally made of carbon. Larger persons can use a heavier paddle made of metal or hard plastic.
3. Buy an SUP Surf Leash
An SUP surf leash is sized to fit a paddle rather than surf board. This is important since it will keep the paddleboard from slipping away as you encounter a rough wave that may cause a spill. A heavier surf leash will jerk harder on your body while an SUP paddleboard leash will be sized to avoid this.
4. Pick the Right Spot
Be sure to pick a spot that you can gentle paddle out to. The surface of the water should be smooth rather than choppy. Pick a beach entry spot that can quickly be swam back to if necessary. Don’t venture too near any spots that are full of rocks. The smoother and more gentle the water, the safer it will be for a beginner.
5. Get Out on the Water
Paddle out with your board until you reach the deep water. From there, stand up on the board. Get to a standing position slowly and gently. There is no rush. Stand in position as you near your first wave. Slowly turn your paddleboard so that you will face the beach as you crest the wave.
Which Is Better For Surfing – Inflatable SUPs or Rigid SUPs?
Inflatable SUPs are best for people of larger size. This is because you can inflate your board to the precise mass and weight that you need to comfortably crest a wave. If you make a mistake as to rigidity, you can quickly deflate the board down to the size that is right for your needs.
If you are a person of smaller size and volume, a rigid board is best. You will take up less volume on the board. You should also note that your movements on a rigid board will be much more streamlined and easy to control.
What Is the Best Stand Up Paddle Board For Surfing?
Our choice for the very best stand up paddle board for surfing is the new Boardworks Kraken All-Water Stand-Up Paddleboard. This handy paddleboard comes with all of the features that you expect in a top rated model. It features a very wide stance to provide extra stability as well as a sharp nose for navigating trough tough waves.
Our alternative choice would be the somewhat less pricy Murtisol Pro 10.5’33″6″ Inflatable Paddle Board. This is a high quality board that comes with pro construction and plenty of extra features that make it a bargain for the price.
The Murtisol board is fortified with extra thick military grade PVC on both the top and bottom sides. This makes it an ideal choice for beginners. It’s a great budget option if you can’t afford the big league boards.
