Choosing your first paddle board can feel complicated: measurements in feet and inches, litres of volume, inflatable or rigid, all-round, touring, wave… Far too many terms for someone who just wants to get out on the water and enjoy the sea or the lake.
The good news is that, to get started, the decision is much simpler than it looks. In this guide we explain the only things that truly matter when buying your first board, and why an all-round model like the SPS FUN is, for most people, the best way to begin.
First things first: what will you use it for?
Before looking at measurements, think about how you’ll use the board. Most beginners are after exactly this:
- Cruising calmly on the sea, a lake or a reservoir.
- The occasional outing with family or friends.
- Taking it on holiday or on the boat without it filling half the car.
- A board that forgives mistakes while you build confidence.
If you saw yourself in that list, you don’t need a specialised race or wave board. You need an all-round: the “do-it-all” board — stable and versatile, designed precisely to get started and have fun without complications.
The most important factor for a beginner: stability
When you’re starting out, the thing that makes the difference between having a great time or ending up frustrated on the water is stability. And stability comes down to three things above all:
1. The width of the board
This is the figure you’ll notice most. A wider board (around 32″–34″, roughly 81–86 cm) is far more stable and makes it much easier to keep your balance while standing. For a beginner, width = peace of mind.
2. Volume and litres
Volume (measured in litres) is the board’s buoyancy — its ability to float. The more volume, the more weight it carries without sinking, and the more stable it feels. As a very general rule for a beginner board:
- The board should have quite a few more litres than your weight in kilos.
- Someone weighing around 70–80 kg will usually feel very comfortable on a beginner all-round.
- If you’ll be sharing it as a couple or family, go for a board with generous volume and size.
Tip: when in doubt, a little too much board beats too little. A board with volume to spare forgives mistakes; one that’s too tight doesn’t.
3. Length and thickness
Length affects how the board glides and turns: beginner boards usually sit around 10’–11′ (roughly 305–335 cm), an ideal middle ground between stability and manoeuvrability. Thickness (typically 6″) adds rigidity and carrying capacity, especially on inflatable boards.
Why the SPS FUN is ideal to start with
Put all of the above together — all-round, stable, wide, inflatable and versatile — and you get exactly what we were looking for in a beginner board. The SPS FUN ticks every box:
- All-round and stable: designed to help you start with confidence on the sea, lake or reservoir.
- Wide with volume to spare: it forgives mistakes while you learn and holds up well to family use.
- Inflatable and easy to transport: it packs into its backpack and goes wherever you do, even on the boat.
- Versatile: perfect for your first outings and it’ll keep up with you once you’ve mastered the paddle.
And this summer it arrives in new colours, so you can pick the one that suits you best.
Not sure which size or model is the right fit for you? Get in touch and we’ll help you choose your board. See you on the water. 🌊
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