Stand Up Paddle Range

How to choose your stand up paddle board

The right stand up paddle board isn't the longest or the most expensive one: it's the board that matches your practice, your build and the water you paddle. Three questions narrow it down fast: where will you paddle, for what kind of outing, and how much weight the board must carry (you, plus a child, a dog or gear). The rest comes down to four specs printed on every product page: length, width, thickness and volume.

Length, width, thickness, volume

• Length drives glide and tracking. Short boards (around 10' / 3 m) turn easily and feel reassuring; longer boards (11'6 to 14' and up) run straighter and further.
• Width drives stability. A wide board (around 32 to 34 inches / 81 to 86 cm) forgives wobbles: ideal for beginners, larger paddlers or carrying a passenger. Narrower means faster but less steady.
• Thickness is not a mark of quality but a choice tied to your build and skill level. A thick board (15 cm / 6") adds volume, so more buoyancy and more height above the water: ideal for larger paddlers, heavy loads and beginners. As you progress, a thinner deck (12.5 cm, or even 10 cm) becomes appealing to play with the board's flex and lower the centre of inertia, gaining drive and shedding weight.
• Volume (in litres) sets buoyancy. As a guide, count roughly 230-270 L for a 60-80 kg paddler, and 270-320 L above 90 kg or when paddling loaded.

By intended use

• Cruising and family: a wide, stable all-round board, easy to handle on a lake or along the coast, happy to carry a child up front.
• Touring and distance: a longer hull with a tapered nose that cuts the water, glides better and holds its line on long paddles.
• Pace and performance: a narrow, fast board on a stiff construction for those chasing speed or racing.
• In a group, at a club: a giant board to share the fun for team-building or nautical-base activities.

Construction: our two dropstitch technologies

An inflatable board holds its shape thanks to dropstitch: thousands of threads tensioned between two PVC skins stop the board ballooning and keep it perfectly flat. At Aquadesign we have chosen two complementary technologies, to pick according to your build and how you paddle.

• Light Dropstitch: more affordable, it is all about lightness. Noticeably easier to carry and handle, it is especially suited to lighter paddlers and anyone who wants an easy-to-manage board day to day.
• Fusion double layer: a double layer becomes essential on longer boards to keep their performance. Fusion technology preserves that double-layer performance while optimising weight: the layers are heat-bonded, without the double glue line that weighs down conventional builds. Maximum rigidity and controlled weight, as on the Eyro 10'8 Pros Fusion.

Inflation pressure matters as much as the build — and more is not better. We recommend 13 to 15 PSI: rigidity is already excellent above 12 PSI, 13 PSI keeps an ideal flex for optimal paddling, and 15 PSI is only worth it for an ultra-stiff board (flat-water racing). Our dropstitch fabrics are among the best on the market, tested up to 22 PSI, yet it is now strongly advised not to exceed 18 PSI. An over-inflated board becomes too stiff and stresses the seams; beware of heat too (full sun, sand, a car roof rack), which quickly raises the pressure and can soften the bonds, up to a burst risk along the rails.

Inflatable or hard board?

For cruising, learning, fitness and leisure SUP, a good Aquadesign inflatable (Light or Fusion Dropstitch), properly inflated, matches a hard board while fitting in a backpack and storing in a cupboard. The hard board only regains the edge in pure glide, racing and surf. That's why most of our range is inflatable: see the full picture on our dedicated inflatable stand up paddles page.

The Aquadesign range families

Our stand up paddle universe covers every practice, from the first stroke to club activities. Choose by family:

• Versatile SUP boards (all-round): the go-to boards to start and enjoy, such as the Iota 10' designed for clubs and beginners, the family-friendly Kendo 10'6 or the Arko 11'. Several packs (Orya 10', Selka 10', Kova 10'6, Nyro 10'6) ease you into the sport.
• Touring SUP boards: built for distance and glide, like the Tempo 11'6, the Yla 11'6, the Fyra 12'6, up to the race-oriented FIRST 14'.
• Giant SUP boards: multi-person paddles for sociable outings and professionals (see below).

Some packs are SUP / kayak convertibles (Orya, Selka, Aelia 10'8, Django 10'8): add a seat and your paddle becomes a kayak. Already paddling seated? Discover our canoe-kayak range too.

Paddler's equipment

A board never travels alone. Our packs ship complete, but here are the essentials worth knowing to paddle well and safely:

• SUP paddles: adjustable or fixed, they should stand about fifteen to twenty centimetres above your head, arm extended.
• Leashes: the cord that keeps you tied to the board, essential so it never drifts away.
• Fins: for tracking and manoeuvrability, with options suited to rivers or flat water (our Us Box Wave and Us Box Race fins, river and universal SUP/kayak fins).
• High-pressure pumps: a double-action pump inflates faster and firmer — it's what gives dropstitch its full rigidity.
• 50N buoyancy aids: the safety companion for every outing.
• Transport carts and dry bags (Koa 80L, Curtec drums) to reach the launch point and pack light.

Stand up paddle for clubs, rental centres and local authorities

Aquadesign equips many nautical bases, paddle schools, campsites and local authorities. For intensive rental use, our giant boards make the difference: Megacraft 15'1 (up to 6 people / 650 kg), Megacraft 17'1 and Rivercraft 15'9 (up to 8 people / 800 kg) or the Speedcraft 22'. Reinforced construction to survive the rotations, repairability, spare-part availability and professional pricing: tell us about your fleet and we will build the offer with you.

Why choose Aquadesign

A French water-sports specialist since 1988, Aquadesign designs its boards and accessories to its own specifications and has them built in its own factories. Product development takes place in France, in Oraison, home to our after-sales and repair workshop: servicing, spare parts and technical know-how stay reachable and responsive. Our materials are selected to last and our products meet CE requirements. Choosing an Aquadesign paddle means investing in gear built to last for years, not a disposable product.

Frequently asked questions about stand up paddle