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The Wave Tourer was tested in March in Chichester Harbour. The wind was around 10 – 12 knots cross-onshore, so it was relatively choppy but we found some flat spots too. Stability Although this board is called the ‘Tourer’, I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone who wants to do long-distance touring. Those who go paddleboarding often and with more experience will find this board a little basic. If budget is less of an issue, you might like to read our article about the best beginner paddleboards. Best budget SUP’s – 7 cheap inflatables & 1 hard board Wave Tourer If you want something to get into touring that glides really well, their 12’6 Cruiseair is a great option that I’d still put within the ‘budget paddle boards’ category. Unlike the Bluefin or Sandbanks boards, the JP doesn’t have many reinforcement features, suggesting the board will probably flex a bit for the bigger, heavier riders out there. So it’s important for this board to pumped up fully, otherwise it might feel a bit like a bouncy castle.
Recently named the Best Buy in the Independent, the Woody was built for stability and manoeuvrability, with a realistic wood effect finish. The Wave Woody, is a lightweight and versatile inflatable iSUP paddleboard targeted at all skill levels. Available in two sizes, 10ft and 11ft and two vibrant colourways, Aqua and Navy, the Wave Woody iSUP is a stylish all-rounder, designed to make life on the water great fun. Crafted using Wave’s unique military-grade single layer ply, the Woody iSUP can be inflated up to 15 PSI to offer the strength and rigidity of a double layered PVC board. The boards solid construction and contemporary design makes the Woody an ideal choice for a wide variety of terrains. Whether you're embarking on a solo expedition or having a laugh with your mates, the Tourer provides ample space and stability for you and your gear, ensuring you have everything you need to make the most of your journeys. This no-nonsense board will give you endless fun. WHATS INCLUDED Single-layer isn’t all bad, it means the board is really lightweight and rolls up to a compact size, making it super portable and easy to carry. However, a single layer is of course not as durable as a doubled lined or reinforced board. It also means the board can’t inflate to a high PSI, which does affect its overall stiffness and performance on the water.We suggest using the 6 ft marker as guide for the most suitable size board. If you’re under 6 ft, go for the 10 ft option, if you’re over 6 ft or 70 kg / 154 lbs +, go for the 11 ft option, for increased stability. VITAL STATS They offer an outstanding 3 year warranty (which is amazing for the price of the board), and on many UK Facebook paddleboarding groups the comments all say they have great customer support. These are some of the most important things I look for in independent brands, because it shows they are serious about having a proper functioning business and have confidence that what they are selling is good quality. In T3's Surfstar 10'6" Advance Star inflatable stand up paddleboard review, the reviewer rated this similarly priced board extremely highly, so that's well worth a look to start with. Aquaplanet's MAX Sup is another entry-level design that offers good value for money when it comes to quality, and at 10'6 it's a generous size that will give beginners confidence. Its cheerful rainbow design is just as distinctive as the Woody's looks, too. Fancy something nimbler? The NKX Flash is smaller, lighter and faster, and will suit intermediate SUP-ers heading into the sea to try out small waves. The boards can be made in all shapes, sizes and from different types of materials, which will affect durability and performance. We researched some of the best budget paddle boards this year for UK buyers looking for great value, without making a huge dent in the bank account. If you want to go out paddle boarding with a friend but don't want to end up in the inevitable situation where one of you goes faster, and you get split up, the Red 15'0 Tandem MSL Inflatable Paddle Board is a great – if expensive – choice. It's a tandem touring board that's ideal for exploring with a partner while having a relaxed and chatty time, and it means that either of you can take a break if you get tired without the other having to slow down or stop.
Apart from the Tahe, which is made from almost indestructible thermoformed plastic, the inflatables on this list are manufactured with pretty much exactly the same materials. The little components on the board like the value and fin slot are also surprisingly good quality. I like that the Vapor only comes with one centre fin, because after some time the glued on side fins peel off and just become an annoyance. These extra side fins just make the board slightly more expensive and heavier but provide no real purpose for beginners. It's stable, beginner-friendly and comes with everything you need to get on the water, and its neat cargo system means that it's easy to take all your stuff with you too. The only real downside (apart from the steep price) is that while it's a delight in the water, it's a lot less fun to manoeuvre on dry land; however, Red has done all it can to make this as painless as possible. If tandem paddling feels like your thing, this is definitely the way to do it. No faults with the leash, it’s coiled which is perfect for flat water cruising and it’s comfortable enough. Final comments Ideal for a variety of terrains, the Wave Woody iSUP offers amazing functionality, quality and style for individuals looking to upskill. For paddlers seeking a robust blow-up paddleboard that is equipped with the latest gadgets, this is the perfect iSUP for you.Aqua Marina is a Chinese manufacturer and brand, who are doing really well here in the UK. They’ve found a sweet spot of being the budget paddle board brand for most of the top retailers. This is a complement for Aqua Marina, because UK SUP retailers only want to sell the best gear to their customers. Paddle boards are a great way to have fun, get fit and explore the world. However, not all paddle boards are created equal! For the lower price, you'll need to be prepared to make a few concessions. In our review, we noted a few minor issues with the paddle – the interconnected sections twist slightly when pushing through the water, and it's a little on the heavy side – and there's a little sag underfoot that you won't find with pricier boards that can handle higher inflation pressures. Overall though, if you're looking to take to the waters without spending a fortune, the Portofino 10ft inflatable stand-up paddle board kit is well worth a look.
What’s great about Decathlon is you can guarantee their customer support will help you if something goes wrong with the board, which comes with a 2-year warranty.For a true budget inflatable paddle board, you won’t find many better than the Wave Tourer. Based up in Newcastle, Wave SUPs produce great value inflatable gear to get you on the water. Other boards on the list, like the Bluefin and Aquaplanet, can hold up to 17 PSI whereas the Wave Tourer can only go up to a maximum 12 PSI. Going to a higher pressure normally means more rigidity, stability and performance, so the Wave Tourer does feel a little bit soft on the water. Wider boards are more stable but slower in the water; longer boards are less manoeuvrable but more buoyant. The overall shape ranges from bulbous to slim and shark-like. The slimmer and sharkier the board, the more suitable it is for racing and surf-style activities, but these are fairly advanced operations, so choose based on stability rather than flashiness, to begin with. To start out, you'll be looking for either an all-rounder or a touring-style SUP if you plan to travel longer distances, but either should be relatively stable and tractable to learn the basics on.
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