What Are Stand Up Paddleboards Made Of?
Now that you have gotten into stand up paddleboarding and really want to get out on your own board, it pays to really get to know what goes into making any paddleboard you may have your eye on.
Just like when you are searching for other products to buy, when you are looking at the wide variety of paddleboards for sale online and in stores, it can be easy to just go for the cheapest board.
But, remember, when it comes to stand up paddleboards, quality trumps everything else! So what are quality stand up paddleboards made of? Well the main "ingredient" is a high grade type foam called EPS, which comes in gigantic rectangles.
It's really important that when you pick up your paddleboard that you make sure that the core foam is of a high quality, if not, then the board can warp or break really easily.
And no one wants that to happen! Once the foam is sanded down into the shape of your conventional stand up paddleboard, many companies insert a wooden "rocker" right down the center of the board.
This not only provides stability, but gives the board a curved shape that will determine how your paddleboard will sit and move in the water.
Depending on what you will be doing with your board, there are various things to pay attention to when it comes to the rocker, but for now, we'll keep it simple.
Then the boards will be essentially laminated, covered a feeler coat and then with many layers of epoxy and fiberglass.
This is another really important step because the quality of the epoxy and fiberglass coverings will be key in how durable your stand up paddleboard is.
These layers also provide a really great layer of protection to your board that is also really lightweight, so because of that your board will be more buoyant than if it were covered with a cheaper (and heavier) material.
Then many boards will have a rubber layer over either the entire top of the board, or just on the section where paddlers stand.
This provides a bit of comfort and cushion for your feet and legs, and it also gives a bit of a textured surface so your board won't be too slippery.
The point of SUP is to be on the board, not in the drink! It takes the best part of a month to make each stand up paddleboard, by hand, so you can see why some of the prices reflect that.
When you buy a stand up paddleboard that is made in this manner, you will be getting yourself a durable and quality board.
Just like when you are searching for other products to buy, when you are looking at the wide variety of paddleboards for sale online and in stores, it can be easy to just go for the cheapest board.
But, remember, when it comes to stand up paddleboards, quality trumps everything else! So what are quality stand up paddleboards made of? Well the main "ingredient" is a high grade type foam called EPS, which comes in gigantic rectangles.
It's really important that when you pick up your paddleboard that you make sure that the core foam is of a high quality, if not, then the board can warp or break really easily.
And no one wants that to happen! Once the foam is sanded down into the shape of your conventional stand up paddleboard, many companies insert a wooden "rocker" right down the center of the board.
This not only provides stability, but gives the board a curved shape that will determine how your paddleboard will sit and move in the water.
Depending on what you will be doing with your board, there are various things to pay attention to when it comes to the rocker, but for now, we'll keep it simple.
Then the boards will be essentially laminated, covered a feeler coat and then with many layers of epoxy and fiberglass.
This is another really important step because the quality of the epoxy and fiberglass coverings will be key in how durable your stand up paddleboard is.
These layers also provide a really great layer of protection to your board that is also really lightweight, so because of that your board will be more buoyant than if it were covered with a cheaper (and heavier) material.
Then many boards will have a rubber layer over either the entire top of the board, or just on the section where paddlers stand.
This provides a bit of comfort and cushion for your feet and legs, and it also gives a bit of a textured surface so your board won't be too slippery.
The point of SUP is to be on the board, not in the drink! It takes the best part of a month to make each stand up paddleboard, by hand, so you can see why some of the prices reflect that.
When you buy a stand up paddleboard that is made in this manner, you will be getting yourself a durable and quality board.
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