In this guide we’ll look at the best paddle boards for surfing.
We’ve compared manoeuvrability, surf type, speed and cost
to give you our top recommendations.
What is the Best Paddle Board for Surfing?
| IMAGE | RECOMMENDED PRODUCTSPRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
| ||
 |
| ||
 |
| ||
 |
| ||
 |
|
More Detailed Surfing Paddle Board Reviews
Classic Surfing Paddle Board
| FEATURES | RATING | PRICE | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FEATURES |
| OUR RATING | PRICE | |
Classic Surfing Paddle Board Review
The Classic Surf Paddle Board is precisely what the name implies. It is the best SUP for surfing due to the classic longboard style outline, single concave bottom and low rocker, all of which mean you can build up some serious speed with this board.
Beautifully designed for small to mid-sized surf, the tail pad and arch bar are complemented by reinforced performance rails, meaning that you can also tackle larger, steeper waves while retaining plenty of control.
This board is even easy to handle when you’re out of the water, thanks to an added Lift SUP handle, which makes it easy to transport, with a solid centre grab point that’s suitable for all users.
The Classic’s awesome versatility means it is our best SUP for surfing small waves as well as larger rollers. It also makes a great flatwater paddle board – and all for a decent, mid-range price.
Specification:
- Length: 9’
- Width: 29.25”
- Thickness: 4.5”
- Volume: 134 L
- Weight: 23.5 lbs
- Capacity: 200 lbs
Glider Wooden Surfing Paddle Board
| FEATURES | RATING | PRICE | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FEATURES |
| OUR RATING | PRICE | |
Glider Wooden Surfing Paddle Board Review
The Glider Wood Paddle Board is a serious contender for the crown of best stand up paddle board for surfing due to its longer template, which delivers improved glide. Ideal for small to medium surf, this board handles beautifully and looks fantastic.
The rigid EPS foam core is twinned with a contemporary, layered wood finish and epoxy resin. This unique construction makes the board particularly strong and durable, so you can count on it for years to come. The board is also highly buoyant and lightweight, making it an ideal choice as one of the best SUPs for surfing.
The narrow template delivers a responsive, premium ride, as one would expect from one of the pricier surfing SUP boards in our top five. A handy bungee system on the nose and GoPro mount make the Glider an excellent choice for other forms of paddling too.
Specification:
- Length: 9’10”
- Width: 30”
- Thickness: 4.25”
- Volume: 148 L
- Weight: 22.5 lbs
- Capacity: 210 lbs
Glider All Water Suring Paddle Board
| FEATURES | RATING | PRICE | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FEATURES |
| OUR RATING | PRICE | |
Glider All Water Suring Paddle Board Review
Another candidate for our best paddle board for surfing is the Limited Edition Glider All Water Paddle Board. This is one of the more costly paddle boards on our list, but we think you’ll agree the funky design and pops of colour are well worth paying a little more for.
The brushed EVA deck pad doesn’t just look fantastic, it’s also super comfortable, enhancing the surfing experience. At 4.5” thick and 10’10” long, the Limited Edition Glider has a good-sized template for hitting the waves. It’s best suited to small to mid-sized surf.
This is a highly versatile SUP board, making it a solid choice for those looking for a yoga board and/or a flatwater paddle board. There’s a six-point bungee system on the nose for securing your gear, plus a Lift SUP handle for solid centre grab, making this an easy board to transport.
Specification:
- Length: 10’10”
- Width: 31”
- Thickness: 4.5”
- Volume: 181 L
- Weight: 23.5 lbs
- Capacity: 250 lbs
Versa Surfing Paddle Board
| FEATURES | RATING | PRICE | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FEATURES |
| OUR RATING | PRICE | |
Versa Surfing Paddle Board Review
If not the best paddle board for surfing, the Versa Paddle Board is certainly one of the best and it definitely wins when it comes to price. An excellent all-rounder, this paddle board will suit even surfing SUP board newbies thanks to its easy, stable ride.
The Versa is an epoxy board that has been designed with the environment in mind. The manufacturing process has been refined to control the amount of materials used. An EPS blank in a precision mould is used to create a lightweight but durable board; a fantastic choice if you’ve got one eye on the environment as well as seeking out a superb surfing experience.
The Versa is also a great leisure paddling board, as well as being suited to everything from yoga to fishing, so is an excellent choice if you’re looking to do more than just surf.
Specification:
- Length: 10’5”
- Width: 32”
- Thickness: 4.5”
- Volume: 175 L
- Weight: 27 lbs
- Capacity: 245 lbs
Frontier Surfing Paddle Board
| FEATURES | RATING | PRICE | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FEATURES |
| OUR RATING | PRICE | |
Frontier Surfing Paddle Board Review
The Frontier Paddle Board is one of the more expensive options for the best stand up paddle board for surfing, but with good reason. The Frontier combines superb functionality with a design that’s sure to impress.
This hybrid epoxy board has been designed for speed, so is an excellent choice as the best SUP for surfing. It’s also highly versatile, meaning it can suit a range of other uses thanks to its fabulous glide.
Made from a lightweight EPS blank and finished with high-quality fibreglass and a stunning paulownia wood veneer, this is definitely a sound choice for those looking to surf in style.
The board is lightweight but strong, meaning you can surf those rollers for years to come. For added practicality, there’s a six-point front bungee storage system and an FCS GoPro mount. An excellent all-rounder.
Specification:
- Length: 10’2”
- Width: 31”
- Thickness: 4.5”
- Volume: 165 L
- Weight: 21 lbs
- Capacity: 210 lbs
Surfing Paddle Board Buyer’s Guide
Speed and manoeuvrability are key when it comes to selecting the bests SUP for surfing. It’s also important to consider how lightweight a board is and how easy to transport. Our surfing SUP board buyer’s guide should help to point you in the right direction.
Why use an SUP instead of a surf board?
There are various reasons to choose an SUP board over a surf board when it comes to getting the best out of your surfing experience. The main reason is mobility: it’s far easier to catch a wave’s sweet spot when you’re already on your feet, rather than having to jump up from propelling yourself along on your stomach. You surf standing up, so why would you want to be lying down?
Using an SUP board for surfing can also deliver a better workout, as you’re on your feet using the board all of the time, rather than bobbing around on your stomach waiting for the right wave.
SUP boards also tend to be more inclusive. They’re easier to use than surf boards so are more suited to beginners as well as those with more advanced surfing skills. SUP boards are also gentler on the joints (particularly the knees), which will be an important consideration for some users.
Check out my Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to SUP here.
How to choose an SUP for surfing?
Choosing an SUP for surfing shouldn’t be a chore. There are so many superb boards out there that the selection process can be really fun, albeit perhaps a little overwhelming.
Start by considering the template of the board. Length, width and depth can vary considerably, and the different shapes and volumes make for very different surfing experiences.
For surfing, a narrow board with a pointed nose is the ideal choice, as it will be faster and more manoeuvrable than a wider board with a rounder nose. Boards shorter than around 10’ and no more than 4.5” thick are the best choice, as their smaller profile makes them much more manoeuvrable than larger options.
You’ll need to think carefully about which materials to opt for. Generally, solid SUP boards deliver greater speed with less effort (hence us not including a mention of the best inflatable SUP for surfing in our top five). An EPS foam core wrapped with high-quality fibreglass and epoxy, with or without a wood veneer, is a good choice performance-wise and will also last well over the years.
Portability out of the water might not be as important as manoeuvrability in it but is still worthy of consideration. Opt for a board with a Lift SUP handle for easy transportation and look out for lightweight boards if you’re worried about the ease of getting the board to and from the water.
Finally, price is of course a key factor in many people’s choice of surfing SUP board. There are some decent low and mid-range boards out there, so don’t think that you have to opt for the most expensive board in order to attain an enjoyable surfing experience. If you’re seeking style as well as functionality though, be prepared to pay a little more.
Conclusion
Given the importance of speed and agility when it comes to choosing the best SUP for surfing, the Classic Surf Paddle Board has to be our top choice. The low rocker, single concave bottom and classic longboard style outline with tail pad and arch bar make this board fast, manoeuvrable and ideal for small to mid-sized surf.