For those who are passionate about the ocean, simply standing on a surfboard or standing on a paddle board is the closest place to the beauty of the ocean. But which of these two sports is more entertaining and can give you the greatest experience from water? Most importantly, which one is most suitable for you? The following are the main similarities and differences between surfing and standing paddleboards:
1. Different forces: SUP paddleboards and surfboards can both surf, but the most obvious difference between the two is that standing paddleboards or SUP use paddles to move, while surfboards use the surfer's body, hands act as paddles, and then ride or turn according to the shift in center of gravity.
2. Different appearance: The size difference between standing paddle boards and surfboards is significant. SUP boards are much longer, generally over 10 feet 6 in China, and are usually heavier and thicker. Surfboards typically range in size from 5 to 9 feet and are lighter. The reason for the difference is the use of surfboards. When SUP boards slide at sea, they are usually designed to maintain better stability in the water. A surfboard means riding with or along waves, requiring greater maneuverability and flexibility.
3. Different volumes: Standing paddle boards typically have a larger volume than surfboards. A larger volume usually means thicker (sometimes), longer (almost always), and wider (also almost always), and the advantage of having a larger volume is that catching waves can be easier.
4. Riding Waves Same: SUP surfers and surfers can ride the same waves, but due to the larger size, poorer responsiveness, and lower maneuverability of SUP boards, they can ride dangerous waves in crowded areas unless you are a skilled surfer and SUP surfer.
5. Summary: In foreign countries, many people surf through paddleboards, but in China, this situation is still relatively rare. Therefore, according to the understanding of beginners in China, surfboards are mainly used for surfing at sea, while paddleboards are mainly used for playing in still water lakes. There is a very clear definition and distinction between the two, and even in the true sense, surfing paddleboards are extremely rare in China. Vitra only has one style, and even so, the vast majority of buyers use it as a paddleboard to play with. Although it is not rigorous, domestic surfboards and paddleboards can be distinguished based on the water used and whether they are equipped with paddles.
