One of the most common questions that beginner paddle boarders have is: what size paddle board do I need for my weight? The answer depends on several factors, such as the type of paddle board, the water conditions, and your skill level. However, a general rule of thumb is that the more weight you have, the more volume and surface area you need in your paddle board.
FOR A BEGINNER PADDLER / ALL-AROUND SUP
| Paddler Weight | SUP Width |
SUP Thickness |
SUP Length |
| Under 125 lbs (56kg) | 31-32” | 5” | 9’6″-10’9″ |
| 125-150 lbs (56-68 kg) | 31-32” | 5” | 9’6″-10’9″ |
| 150-175 lbs (68-79 kg) | 31-33” | 5” | 10’0″-12’6″ |
| 175-200 lbs (79 – 90 kg) | 32-34” | 5” | 10’0″-12’6″ |
| 200-225 lbs (90-102 kg) | 32-34” | 5-6” | 10’0″-12’6″ |
| 225+ lbs (102 kgs +) | 32-34” | 6” | 10’0″-12’6″ |
FOR AN INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED PADDLER
/ ALL-AROUND SUP
| Paddler Weight | SUP Width |
SUP Thickness |
SUP Length |
| Under 125 lbs (56kg) | 29-32” | 4-5” | 9’6″-10’9″ |
| 125-150 lbs (56-68 kg) | 30-32” | 5” | 9’6″-11’0″ |
| 150-175 lbs (68-79 kg) | 30-32” | 5” | 9’6″-12’6″ |
| 175-200 lbs (79 – 90 kg) | 30-33” | 5” | 10’0″-12’6″ |
| 200-225 lbs (90-102 kg) | 30-34” | 5-6” | 10’0″-12’6″ |
| 225+ lbs (102 kgs +) | 32-34” | 6” | 10’0″-12’6″ |
Volume is the measure of how much water a paddle board can displace, and it is usually expressed in liters. The more volume a paddle board has, the more buoyant and stable it will be. Surface area is the measure of how much space a paddle board occupies on the water, and it is usually expressed in square inches. The more surface area a paddle board has, the more glide and speed it will have.
To find the right size paddle board for your weight, you need to consider the weight-to-volume ratio, or W/V ratio. This is the number that tells you how much weight a paddle board can support per liter of volume. For example, a W/V ratio of 1 means that for every liter of volume, the paddle board can support one pound of weight.
The ideal W/V ratio for you depends on your skill level and the type of paddle boarding you want to do. Generally speaking, beginners should look for a W/V ratio between 1 and 1.5, intermediate paddlers should look for a W/V ratio between 0.8 and 1.2, and advanced paddlers should look for a W/V ratio between 0.6 and 0.9.
To calculate the W/V ratio, you need to divide your weight in pounds by the volume of the paddle board in liters. For example, if you weigh 150 lbs and the paddle board has a volume of 200 liters, then the W/V ratio is 150/200 = 0.75.
To find the volume of a paddle board, you can either check the manufacturer’s specifications or use an online calculator. Some common shapes of paddle boards are rectangular, oval, and round. The formulas for calculating the volume of these shapes are:
– Rectangular: Volume = Length x Width x Thickness
– Oval: Volume = Length x Width x Thickness x 0.8
– Round: Volume = Length x Width x Thickness x 0.785
To find the surface area of a paddle board, you can either check the manufacturer’s specifications or use an online calculator. Some common shapes of paddle boards are rectangular, oval, and round. The formulas for calculating the surface area of these shapes are:
– Rectangular: Surface Area = Length x Width
– Oval: Surface Area = Length x Width x 0.8
– Round: Surface Area = Length x Width x 0.785
To give you an idea of what size paddle board you need for your weight, here are some examples of different types of paddle boards and their dimensions:
– All-around paddle board: This is a versatile type of paddle board that can be used for various water conditions and activities, such as cruising, touring, fishing, yoga, etc. It usually has a round or oval shape, a moderate width and thickness, and a medium rocker (the curve of the nose and tail). A typical all-around paddle board has a length of 10 to 12 feet, a width of 30 to 34 inches, a thickness of 4 to 6 inches, a volume of 180 to 300 liters, and a surface area of 2400 to 3264 square inches. For example, if you weigh 180 lbs and want to use an all-around paddle board as a beginner, you should look for a W/V ratio between 1 and 1.5, which means a volume between 180 and 270 liters. A possible option could be an oval-shaped paddle board with a length of 11 feet, a width of 32 inches, a thickness of 5 inches, a volume of 211 liters (11 x 32 x 5 x 0.8), and a surface area of 2816 square inches (11 x 32 x 0.8).
– Touring paddle board: This is a type of paddle board that is designed for long-distance paddling on flat or choppy water. It usually has a rectangular or oval shape, a narrow width and thickness, and a high rocker. A typical touring paddle board has a length of 12 to 14 feet, a width of 28 to 32 inches, a thickness of 4 to 6 inches, a volume of 200 to 350 liters, and a surface area of 2688 to 3584 square inches. For example, if you weigh