https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDAPIRBCaEA

Boards

Have you tried stand-up paddleboarding a few times and would love to indulge in the sport more often, perhaps at local beaches or even at the summer cottage? From our comprehensive range of SUP boards and accessories, you’ll surely find the perfect gear!

When purchasing a SUP board, the first thing to consider is its intended use now and in the future. High-quality boards last a long time, so even if you’re a beginner now but foresee yourself enjoying long trips on calm waters, it’s wise to choose a slightly faster board.

At the same time, when acquiring a board, it’s good to consider if there will be other users. Often, a board purchased for, let’s say, the summer cottage, will be used by family members of all ages, making versatility the top feature!

Additionally, we’d like to caution against the exceedingly cheap SUP boards available in the market. These boards consistently compromise on their structure and materials. When you stand on these boards, they tend to flex significantly, making paddling unstable and slow. Every year, we sell several boards to customers who had previously purchased ’bargain’ SUP boards and unfortunately learned about their quality the hard way.

From our perspective, if these boards priced at a few hundred euros were of acceptable quality, we would also use them for rentals.

Our Range of SUP Boards

As our top choice, we offer SHARK SUP boards! In just a few years, Shark has become one of Finland’s favorite SUP brands, and for a good reason. SHARK SUP boards provide exceptional value for money, rivaling the quality and performance of even the leading brands in the industry, while still being among the most affordable boards designed for durability. These boards remain incredibly rigid, even at pressures as low as 15-18 psi, accommodating paddlers of any size. This stands in contrast to many other manufacturers whose rigidity relies on extremely high pressures, making pumping quite challenging. The stiffness in SHARK SUP boards comes from their Fusion Technology. Read more about SHARK SUP boards here.

All SHARK boards feature a new fin box that requires no tools and lacks any loose parts that might be accidentally misplaced.


What type is suitable for me?

SUP boards are roughly divided into a few different categories.

Touring boards

Although Allround boards are the most common, Touring boards are what we most recommend to enthusiasts! Touring boards are long and streamlined, offering excellent performance for short and long trips. The superiority of a Touring board becomes evident in how it travels straight. Unlike entry-level Allround boards that snake around, requiring a change of sides with every stroke, a Touring board travels very straight, making paddling lighter and achieving faster speeds when desired. Previously, Touring boards were typically a bit narrower (30”/75cm), but through Shark’s comprehensive range, our Touring selection spans various widths. This allows you to choose a Touring board without sacrificing stability. Check out the video below for an introduction to our most popular 12’6 x 32” (381cm x 80cm) board.

Allround boards

Allround boards are meant for those whose use of the board is versatile. These boards are inherently stable, making them great for beginners. Additionally, Allround boards are more stable and agile in waves and flowing waters. A typical example of an Allround board buyer is a family seeking a board for their summer cottage, catering to users of different ages and sizes, with no intention of embarking on long paddling trips.

Race SUP boards

As the name suggests, Race SUP boards are designed with speed in mind. Compared to Touring boards, these boards are usually even narrower and often longer. The width of Race SUP boards ranges between 27”/67.5cm – 21”/52.5cm. While the term ”race” might intimidate many SUP enthusiasts, especially the wider end of Race SUP boards is an excellent option for active fitness paddlers. A 27” wide board does require focus but is by no means impossible.

Wind SUP

Wind SUP is a fusion of windsurfing and stand-up paddleboarding. This board allows you to attach a windsurfing sail to it. Additionally, it features an extra fin box on the bottom, enabling the attachment of a keel for better grip when using the sail. Wind SUP boards work excellently for regular paddleboarding as well, and this feature doesn’t have any drawbacks. So, if you already own a sail or have been contemplating trying windsurfing, this is an excellent option!

Special boards

In our selection, we also offer a few more specialized models. Worth mentioning is the SHARK Family SUP, which is notably longer and thicker than the standard board. With this, the board can easily accommodate 2-3 adults paddleboarding or even 2 adults and a couple of kids. We’ve tested it to even carry up to eight adults, but that might require being prepared for some swimming trips. Additionally, there are boards available specifically designed for wave paddleboarding, river rapids, and Race SUP boards that aim for maximum speed.

Other Stand-Up Paddleboarding Equipment

Paddles

A good paddle makes a significant difference in stand-up paddleboarding. Paddles are generally made from three different materials:

1. Aluminum paddles, the most common ones included with boards – a decent aluminum paddle works fine in the early stages of the hobby, but in the long run, the weight and colder feel of metal might prompt a shift towards slightly higher-quality paddles. NOTE! There are huge variations in aluminum paddles on the market, and especially those that come with budget SUP board packages are often of very poor quality.

2. Carbon fiber paddles, the top choice for active enthusiasts – these paddles come in ”hybrid” models, typically with a carbon shaft and handle, and a plastic blade. The other type is ”full carbon,” entirely made of carbon fiber. It’s self-evident that the primary advantage of a carbon fiber paddle is its lightweight. Even though changes in grams may seem small on paper, you’ll notice it during long trips! Another aspect, which I particularly appreciate, is the feel. Carbon fiber doesn’t retain as much cold as aluminum, allowing, for instance, the option to ditch gloves earlier in the summer. For example, all SHARK SUP boards are supplied with a Carbon Hybrid paddle.

3. Fiberglass paddles, relatively rarer – fiberglass paddles position themselves in terms of feel, weight, and quality between aluminum and carbon fiber. However, the price difference compared to carbon fiber is usually minimal, at least in our experience, making this option less sensible.

Life Jackets

Although a stand-up paddleboarder’s first safety equipment is usually the leash that comes with the board, the importance of a buoyancy aid cannot be underestimated. When engaging in water sports, there is always a risk of something happening, and a buoyancy aid is what can save you from the situation! In stand-up paddleboarding, typically, water sports vests similar to paddling vests are used. These are designed so that they do not restrict movement and are not in the way while paddling.

Neoprene Products

A stand-up paddleboarder can make the most out of the Finnish summer when the equipment is in order. Even if the water is chilly in early summer or the air is cool in late summer, this is not an obstacle to getting on the water. You just need to prepare well. :) Below are the most important neoprene accessories.

Neoprene boots are perhaps the most crucial gear and should be part of every SUP boarder’s equipment. Even if the air is warm in early summer, the water is often ice-cold, and when it splashes onto the board, it can make your toes unpleasantly tingle. Boots also keep you warm if there is no opportunity to get on the board ”dry-footed” on the shore. In addition to warmth, neoprene boots provide excellent protection against glass shards and sharp rocks. Wearing boots also makes it much more comfortable to land in various locations. When investing in quality boots, you can maintain a board feel almost similar to going barefoot!

Wetsuits not only provide warmth in the water but, as crazy as it sounds, they also bring stability and safety to paddling! When stand-up paddleboarding, the thought of ”what if I fall” creates the greatest tension and knee trembling. When you’re geared up so that a fall doesn’t bother you, you don’t think about it, and thus, you paddle more relaxed and steady! It’s also good to consider on longer trips what would happen if you fell and were, for some reason, in the water for a longer duration. Personally, I always wear a wetsuit when stand-up paddleboarding if the weather is cold enough to require the suit’s warmth or if the trip involves a route where being in the water/wet might last longer after a fall.

Neoprene hoods are a comfortable way to keep your head warm without worrying that if the hood gets wet, it would be uncomfortable afterward. There are two types of headwear: neoprene beanies and neoprene hoods. In our opinion, a neoprene hood is quite extreme for regular stand-up paddleboarding, except for river or wave riding where you might be in the water for extended periods, especially during colder water seasons. For regular stand-up paddleboarding, a neoprene beanie is an excellent accessory against the cold, and as a nice bonus, modern neoprene beanies look so great that you might want to wear them even outside the water! :)

Neoprene gloves are fantastic to have in early and late summer. Cold hands can dampen the experience, affecting your enjoyment of the trip. Opt for thinner, pre-curved 3mm gloves for stand-up paddleboarding to ensure a good grip and necessary warmth. You can also try using ski gloves for SUP; they might not work as well when wet, but they offer warmth against the cold aluminum paddle and weather.

Dry Bags

When heading out on a SUP excursion, it’s essential to be well-prepared! Even if the trip isn’t long, bringing along a change of clothes, some snacks, a phone, and possibly a first aid kit is a good idea. For these items, dry bags come in various sizes. The primary gear should include a waterproof phone pouch. While you shouldn’t solely rely on your phone for safety, a fully charged phone is an excellent safety tool during the trip. Additionally, you can capture those incredible sunsets and other moments you encounter on your journey! Our produced phone pouches are designed specifically for our activities and include features like a built-in float to prevent the phone from sinking if it falls.

In addition to the phone pouch, having a dry bag for all your other gear is crucial. These come in various sizes, shapes, and models. From our selection, you’ll find 10 and 20-liter bags equipped with shoulder or backpack straps. These straps make it easier to carry the bag to the shore when you have the board in one hand and the paddle in the other.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MhKoSIZ5xM