Stand-up Paddle Boards: Surging into the Future

As the SUP board has grown in popularity, the material and design has changed as well. As new technologies become available, board designers integrate the highest quality materials to develop a product that best suits the needs of the surfer.



Initially, SUP boards were made of hollow wood. This type of board is still available for purchase today. Surfers that choose these types of boards often praise the flexibility and smooth ride these boards provide. There seems to be a connection they enjoy with the history of the sport, dating back hundreds of years. The wooden boards today are coated in a high-quality, waterproof resin that allows the board to carry the surfer. Because they are made of wood, which is the most dense of all available materials, these boards are heavier than other synthetic material boards. Wooden boards are also much more difficult to alter to specific environments and needs.



The more commonplace SUP boards are made of materials such as fiberglass bonded with epoxy, as it is less dense and much lighter than wood. It allows for larger boards and much greater variability. Greater customization by the surfer is common with the new SUP board design. Stabilizing fins, grooves, and other features that do not occur in wood boards can be added to epoxy boards. Custom-made SUP boards with decorative designs are made possible with the new-age material.



As the popularity grows, SUP enthusiasts grow more competitive. Thus, the lighter, sleeker graphite or carbon fiber board is born. Light fiberglass boards, carbon fibers are combined with a binding agent such as polyester, vinyl ester, epoxy, or nylon, and molded into the desired shape. However, unlike fiberglass boards, carbon-fiber SUP boards are significantly lighter and smoother and so skim over the water, providing racers the advantage of longer boards without losing ease of control and maneuverability. Carbon-fiber SUP boards easily rank "the fastest board on the planet" says SUP board racer and chiropractor Shawn Egan.



For anyone considering SUP boards in Houston it is important to consider what matters most. For those just entering the sport, the epoxy board provides a quicker learning curve. The larger sizes and stabilizing accessories encourage new surfers to get comfortable on the waves. Wood boards can be a great new experience for more seasoned surfers looking for a new challenge. Whatever decision is made, be sure that the board is manufactured by a credible company. The quality of board has the largest impact on the surfing experience



SUP board manufacturers Panga Surf know the hearts of SUPenthusiasts and build that passion into every board they make. From starter boards for the beginner to the sleek water-skimming Black Mamba for die-hard racers are all available through SUP board company