I remember hearing about this new fin technology when I used to frequent StandupZone. It was something about a steerable fin? You had a tiller on the deck of the board which allows you to change the angle of the fin, steering the board without any other effort. Pretty cool, right? I recently bought a used SIC FX Tour 14′ as my primary ride, which comes with the FAST (Foot Actuated Steering System) technology. It’s a level that’s parallel to the deck attached to rods inside the board which can turn the fin. I have to admit, the whole thing is pretty neat, although I’ve only have a chance to us ..read more

Hi everybody. This page is an addendum to my Episode #3 podcast: Your First Paddleboard. I wanted to create a list of reliable online paddleboard retailers. However, even better than buying a paddleboard online is buying a paddleboard at your local surf, paddle, or outdoor gear shop. Try to find a small shop which will probably give you the best advice and service. To find one, I suggest doing a search for (your location) + paddleboard. This is what your hard board will look like when you open the box. This is a Bic 9’2″ Ace Tec. However, if you don’t have a retailer near you, here is a list o ..read more

Lots of boards out there. Lots. And when you’re trying to find a new (or used) paddleboard for yourself, the first question everyone asks is, “Is this a good board?” So let’s talk a little bit about what makes a board “good” or “bad”. First thing is, most boards you will buy will be fine. As long as a board has a shape that works for its intended purpose and its build quality is such that it stays together, the board is adequate. This goes for cheap inflatables as well as high-end race boards. They are pretty much all fine. They may not be perfect for you, but they have an intended purpose wit ..read more

Define quiver: Verb: tremble or shake with a slight rapid motion. Noun: 1) an archer’s portable case for holding arrows; 2) a set of surfboards of different lengths and shapes for use with different types of waves. Family quivers. Mine are the blue 10’6″ Bic on the bottom and the 14″ SIC board in the grey bag. My wife’s are the Amundsen 12’6″ in the tan and blue bag and an old 11’3″ Amundsen in the red bag against the wall. The old NSP 12’6″ is Miranda’s and the 9’2″ Bic in the bag on the wall is Gwennie’s. One of the things that happens when you get hooked on paddleboarding is that you don’t ..read more

Paddleboards are probably the cheapest way to get out on the water. An inexpensive paddleboard is even cheaper than an inexpensive kayak. Plus it’s easier to travel with and store. And those cheap inflatables? No wonder so many are selling. But let’s face it, getting a boat on the water has never been cheap. Even $300 for an inflatable can be a lot. Hard boards — which are a better ride — can cost a lot more. Buying a used paddleboard can be a great way to get into the sport without spending large amounts of money on a new board. Where to find one You can find used paddleboards on any of the p ..read more

I got an email from SIC recently, one of their promotional emails. I get them to keep those annoying popups off my screen, although that never seems to work. (They keep coming back.) The company is proudly releasing a new race board called the RST, a dugout board with some rough water pedigree. I’m not as interested in this board as I am with SIC’s other models. It’s a dugout, which isn’t my favorite type of board. I much prefer flatter decks. However that’s not my real issue — It seems like a good design despite my personal preference, and I’ve never known SIC to put out something that isn’t ..read more

This is me on my first paddleboard, a 2011 NSP 11′ all-around. It was an excellent board to learn on. It the biggest question on SUP Newbie sites: “What board should I get?” So I’m trying to answer it on my podcast. The goal for this episode is to give some experienced advice about how get a good first standup paddleboard. I have found on beginner sites that new paddlers tend to recommend the boards they have, but often they are just the only board they have experience with. Usually people are looking at the $300 boards on Amazon and big box stores. I want to suggest a path for an excellent fi ..read more

Did you hear? The US Coast Guard PFD rules — the rules that we paddlers have been following for decades — are changing. This is actually a good thing. Believe it it or not, they are going to be easier to follow, and you can wear a wider range of vests. Standard type lll PFD. A little bulky but effective. Now I believe in wearing a PFD. Always. They are the best protection a paddleboarder can take in the water. (A leash is the second best.) Having had a couple of incidents on the water, I’m not naive enough to think my wits and swimming ability are enough to save me in all circumstances. I also ..read more

Pretty much everybody starts their paddleboard career with an adjustable paddle. These are especially common in “package deals”, where you purchase a board, leash, and paddle together. Adjustable paddles have a lot of advantages. They can be sold to most paddlers, not matter what their height. As a new paddler, you can also experiment with how long your paddle should be. They are a great piece of equipment to start with. (Just make sure that your new paddle floats. They all should, but some of the cheap ones sink like a stone!) The three types of adjustable paddles from left to right: carbon T ..read more

When I started paddleboarding (late 2000s), it was just when the sport started to explode. Most of what you could buy were just large surfboards. There were some flatwater boards, and companies like Starboard and Naish were coming out with raceboard designs. It was an exciting time for the sport! One thing that happened to me as a result of seeing all these new and exciting models was that I got a little obsessed with them. What lover of the sport wouldn’t be? Those cool sleek shapes, the dugouts, the destroyer noses. All designed to excel in specific conditions. Who wouldn’t want a whole quiv ..read more