Buying a Stand Up Paddleboard

Surf'SUP Colorado uses BIC SPORT SUP boards for our instruction and rental quiver. We are very pleased with the value/durability/performance quotient of the BIC SUP boards. However, there are many different brands and 100's of different types of boards available, many of them of excellent quality. Surf'SUP Colorado focuses on what we do best, providing the best on-water SUP experience for our clients. Surf'SUP Colorado is not a big box retail store, or even a small SUP/surf shop, with a wider selection of SUPs. But we can help you find a reputable shop that carries a selection of SUPs and would be happy to help you find a SUP board that meets your particular needs.

Surf'SUP Colorado has much of the BIC SPORT SUP line in our quiver. Periodically we offer our used instruction and rental SUP's for sale so that we can refresh our instruction and rental quiver. You can arrange a session to demo what we have available. It is always best to try before you buy!

The following information is from the BIC SPORT website and is a great summary of the BIC SPORT SUP product line with detail on each board's intended usage.

Additional information on how to buy your first Stand Up Paddleboard

Was it really just a few years ago that Laird & crew were developing the sport of Stand Up Paddleboard surfing using discarded oversized tandem surf boards? It seems like just yesterday that there were a handful of board makers located on the Hawaii and California coasts. Now a quick Google search brings dozens of board makers from all over the world and often far from any coastline. So many types of boards, so much water, so many places to buy.

The good news is there has never been a better time to invest in a board. Pro SUPers, shapers and manufactures are working together to advance the state of the art at a mind boggling pace. Each week seems to bring new shapes, new materials, new specialty boards, new processes. 20 years from now this time period may be considered the "golden age" of SUP design. There is literally a new type of SUP board for every conceivable type of SUP activity. But how do you buy your first Stand Up Paddleboard?

Begin by asking a few basic questions.

1. Where do I want to use my SUP? Ocean? Flatwater? Class 1-2 rivers? Class 3-4 rivers? All the above?

2. How do I want to use my SUP? Ocean surfing? River surfing? Recreation? Racing? Fitness? Downwind touring? River touring? White water?

3. Who is going to use my SUP? My family? My friends? Myself?

4. What is my budget? Can I really afford to move the Xterra out of my side of the garage and fill it with a full quiver of SUP boards?

Based on your answers to the above questions you should be able to refine your requirements and expectations of your first SUP. Refine your search, then go demo several SUP boards to find the one that suits your requirements best.

It is always best to try before you buy your first Stand Up Paddleboard