Stand Up Paddle Board or Kayak?

two sups and one kayak on the beach at a lake
21 February 2020
Stand Up Paddle Board or Kayak?

If you’re keen to get out on the water this year, the first thing to decide is which watercraft to choose. Whether you’re paddling as a hobby or a sport, it’s important you choose the craft that’s right for you. For most people, this usually comes down to stand up paddle board (SUP) vs. kayak.

The first thing to consider is where and when you’ll be out paddling. If you’re hoping to be out at sea all year round and in all types of conditions, you’ll want something with durability and stability. If you’re looking to paddle recreationally throughout the summer months, you’ll want a craft that’s portable and easy to use.

Is a kayak more stable than a paddle board?

Both kayaks and SUPs offer a stable paddling experience. However, since a SUP will require you to stand up while paddling, they can feel quite wobbly to begin with. Stand up paddleboards are particularly hard to balance on in choppy waters or windy conditions, making them less suitable for those hoping to paddle at sea throughout winter.

Kayaks offer a lower centre of gravity and therefore are much more stable. For rough seas and high winds, kayaks win easily every time. Kayaks also offer you more warmth and protection in harsher, colder conditions, whereas you might feel a little exposed on a paddleboard.

Which is easier to transport?

Hard stand up paddleboards can be awkward and quite heavy depending on your model, making transportation tricky. In most cases, you’ll need a roof rack and a reasonably sized vehicle to strap them to. Our inflatable SUPs, however, are very easy to transport, as you can entirely deflate them and roll them up to fit inside our ready-made drybag rucksacks.

Much like hard standup paddleboards, kayaks can be large and cumbersome, making them difficult to carry and transport without help. You’ll need a roof rack or a trailer on your car to get your kayak from your home to the beach or the lake. To get your kayak to the water’s edge, you’ll either need a kayak trolley or someone else to help you carry it. However, inflatable model kayaks provide a solution to this problem, making issues of portability much simpler as well as taking up less space in your home.

woman on a paddleboard in the sea

Which is better to explore with?

SUPs offer a terrific vantage point by allowing you to be elevated while out on the water. You’ll be able to see much further and have a better view of the water below you.

However, if you’re hoping to explore the coast and meander through caves and rocky passages, a kayak is a better choice. Since you are lower down and sized more compactly, you’ll be able to squeeze into smaller spaces to fully explore the shoreline.

Is paddle boarding a better workout than kayaking?

Paddle boarding provides a full-body, core-focused work out. In order to stabilize yourself and propel yourself through the water, you’ll need to engage your whole body and work all your muscles. Stand up paddle boarding will improve your balance by strengthening your core muscles in a gentle, low-impact way.

Kayaking similarly offers a great workout but provides more of an isolated exercise session. Kayaking works your arms, shoulders and back muscles, offering a great upper body workout. However, a paddleboard is probably a better choice if you want to improve your overall strength and endurance.

Which is best for children and pets?

Double kayaks are a great way to explore the water with your children or with pets. Two-seater kayaks offer ample space for another passenger, allowing you to paddle through the water without feeling squashed or crowded.

Paddleboards are an equally good option if your child is small enough to fit on your paddleboard with you. You can also buy extra-large SUPs specifically designed for multiple users, giving you the opportunity to explore the water as a family.

man paddling inflatable kayak

Which is best for longer excursions?

Kayaks have the added advantage of onboard storage space, with many kayaks having dry storage options. This means you can load up your kayak with your camping or fishing gear and head out for multiple days at a time. You’ll also be able to cover significant distances easily in a kayak, while being less prone fatigue since you are sat down.

Most stand up paddle boards will have a bungee cord to strap down your belongings, but the amount of weight you can add will depend on your board. Some SUPs, such as our 12’6” Sport Air Touring model, are designed with long excursions in mind. Our specially designed SUPs have extra volume as well as bungee straps at the nose and tail so you can load all the gear you need onboard.

Once you’ve decided which watercraft best suits your needs, you’ll need to decide which type of kayak or SUP to buy. There isn’t a one size fits all when it comes to paddling, you’ll need to choose a specific type of kayak or SUP depending on what kind of activities you’ll be wanting to use it for as well as your weight.

What type of stand up paddleboard should I buy?

SUPs come in various forms, from All Round SUPs to paddle boards specifically designed for surfing or touring. You must first identify what you want to get out of your time on the water before you can decide what kind of paddle board you wish to purchase.

To add another element of choice to your decision, you can buy either inflatable paddleboards or hard paddleboards. As previously mentioned, inflatable SUPs are much easier to transport as you can entirely deflate your board and roll it up. This a great perk if you’re hoping to travel with you SUP or if you’re limited for space at home.

Inflatable SUPS can also be dropped and knocked without suffering the consequences, unlike hard paddle boards which are far more susceptible to dings and dents.

stack of kayaks

What type of kayak should I buy?

There are two main types of kayak: sit-on kayaks or sit-in kayaks. Sit-on kayaks are the most popular among beginners and those opting for recreational use. They’re extremely easy to use and very practical for recreational water exploration.

Sit-in kayaks are typically used by more experienced kayakers as they allow for a greater sense of control. However, sit-in kayaks require you to sit inside a cockpit, which some people find claustrophobic. They also require a “wet exit”, which means if you capsize you will find yourself upside down in the boat underwater, held in by your spray deck. This means you’ll either need to learn to eskimo roll or wet exit by pulling the spray deck open before manually bailing your kayak.

Ultimately, if you’re using your kayak recreationally and generally in calm conditions, a sit-on kayak will likely suit you best.

SUPs with kayak seats

If you’re still struggling to make up your mind, then we’d recommend considering one of our SUP packages which include a removable kayak seat. These clip to the top of your stand up paddleboard using the D-rings on the deck, allowing you to be seated on your board when you feel like it whilst still having the option to stand. These seats are included in our Deluxe Fibreglass, Deluxe Carbon and Ultimate packs.

By utilizing the information provided, we hope to make your decision between paddleboard and kayak a simple matter. Whichever you choose to purchase, one thing is for sure: you’ll have great fun out on the water.

For further information or advice, please do not hesitate to contact us.