Inflatable fun! (paddleboards ;) )
My search for inflatable boats actually turned up 2 winners, so now I'm on the hunt for an inflatable paddleboard to add to our collection. Does anyone have any advice or tips? My internet researc...
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The only advantage to the rounded nose and tail is for surfing waves. Otherwise, the pointy nose and straight rear are more efficient for paddling. The pointy nose punches through swell and moves water aside better, similar to a boat's front end, and helps to keep the board moving in a straight line. One of my boards is traditional shaped and the other is pointy, so I've seen these differences first hand.
The pointy nose doesn't help with stability though. That's an issue of board width. The wider the board, the more stable, but it'll also be slower. Stick with around 30 inches or wider and you'll be fine.
The inflatable is definitely softer if you fall on it. Another advantage is they don't get dinged up if you run into something hard, like a rock. The obvious disadvantage is a puncture ;)
As for SUPing technique, hard to explain in words but the idea is NOT to push water past the board. The idea is to visualize sticking your paddle in the water and PULLING yourself and the board up to where the paddle is. So both arms should be almost straight, and you use your core and shoulders to move the paddle. It should feel kind of like doing a sit up. If you bend your arms while paddling, you're doing it wrong.
Another quick check: for the hand on the top of the paddle, open that hand completely. The top hand only needs to push, so there's no reason to have a complete grip on the paddle with your hand closed.
Youtube also has some good videos.
The pointy nose doesn't help with stability though. That's an issue of board width. The wider the board, the more stable, but it'll also be slower. Stick with around 30 inches or wider and you'll be fine.
The inflatable is definitely softer if you fall on it. Another advantage is they don't get dinged up if you run into something hard, like a rock. The obvious disadvantage is a puncture ;)
As for SUPing technique, hard to explain in words but the idea is NOT to push water past the board. The idea is to visualize sticking your paddle in the water and PULLING yourself and the board up to where the paddle is. So both arms should be almost straight, and you use your core and shoulders to move the paddle. It should feel kind of like doing a sit up. If you bend your arms while paddling, you're doing it wrong.
Another quick check: for the hand on the top of the paddle, open that hand completely. The top hand only needs to push, so there's no reason to have a complete grip on the paddle with your hand closed.
Youtube also has some good videos.
