SUP paddles and why it’s the most important (and defining) piece of stand up paddle boarding equipment.

When you begin your stand up paddle boarding journey it’s easy (and understandable) to get fixated on the board. Stand up paddle boards are the biggest (literally) piece of gear you own. They’re also the most colourful and arguably most interesting looking. Plus, without a board you’ll just be swimming. As far as being the defining piece of equipment, however, a SUP board isn’t it. That’s your paddle.

A SUP paddle is your engine. It makes you a stand up paddler, giving you a ‘machine’ with which to propel, turn and brace. You could paddle your board with your arms and hands (as some do ala prone). But the leverage you get from an elongated shaft and blade delivers much more oomph and you cover distance much quicker and more efficiently. If you’re a stand up paddle surfer the paddle enables harder turns and the ability to navigate sections. River runners are able to use the paddle as a get out of jail free card whilst recreational SUPers will use a paddle to keep upright, by aiding balance, and move around.

Unfortunately, bad quality SUP paddles are abundant. On top of which not enough time is given to choosing a good quality one. Inflatable SUPs (picking on the biggest selling area of stand up paddling currently) are supplied with everything needed to get you afloat. This can mean cheap quality paddles – even if the board itself is half decent. And by cheap quality we mean paddles that bend and flex too much or have adjustable systems which don’t quite work correctly (or fail completely). Poorly manufactured paddles can also cause injury as they force riders to over exert which stresses and strains joints/limbs/muscles.

When in the market for a new stand up paddle board it’s worth giving time to looking at different paddle options. Check out thoroughly what your package comes with paddle wise. If the brand offers an upgrade option then consider this – even if it means spending a little bit more cash. That said if you’re choosing a premium brand stand up paddle board package you may already be getting a decent paddle as some do provide quality accessories such as paddles. A budget paddle from a premium will still be better than a chaep paddle from a budget SUP brand. There’s still the option of upgrading later down the line, which should also be considered.

As you advance and perhaps choose specific pathways to take your stand up paddling down a specific SUP paddle may be required. Or even a quiver where you own multiple types to suit different scenarios. Ultimately the best advice is don’t overlook your SUP paddle and how important it is. Get the best you can afford from the off so as to make your stand up paddle boarding experience as good as it can be.

Don’t forget to check out the rest of NCW’s Beginner Guide to Stand Up Paddle Boarding here –

And NCW’s Stand Up Paddle Boarding Knowledge page for even more SUP goodness here –