Many tourists see boards in stores with the inscription “SUP for surfing” and wonder: can an inflatable SUP board be used instead of a real surfboard? Is this a real alternative or a marketing ploy?
The truth is that an inflatable SUP was originally created for calm water, such as lakes, rivers, and lagoons. While it can still work on waves, it is only suitable for small and not too fast waves. For a full-fledged surfing experience, the feeling will be completely different.
Today, there are three types of boards available:
- Classic walking SUP — versatile, but not suitable for surfing.
- Special inflatable SUP for surfing — an experiment by manufacturers in recent years.
- Hard surfboard — a classic board for learning to surf.
Let’s compare SUP boards and surfboards
To understand the difference, let’s look at the dimensions and weight of medium-sized boards.
What does this mean in practice:
- SUPs are easy to stand on for beginners, as their width and volume provide stability.
- Surfboards are maneuverable, lightweight, and respond quickly to movements.
- SUP surf like Shark Surf+ is a compromise, but due to its width, it remains “heavy and barge-like” in turns.
Market and New Models for 2024-2025
In recent years, some brands have started producing inflatable SUP boards specifically for surfing. However, these models have not yet gained widespread success.
Why is the idea attractive:
- It is extremely difficult to transport an average surfboard with a length of 2.0-2.40 m.
- It is fragile and requires a cover and careful handling.
- Air travel is expensive, as airlines charge extra fees for “non-standard baggage.”
- Even when packed, the board is at risk of scratches, chips, or cracks.
This is why the prospect of a compact and durable inflatable surfboard that can be folded into a backpack is very appealing. However, manufacturers have not yet been able to achieve the desired level of rigidity and responsiveness.
An example is the Shark Surf+ 9.2x30x4 S25 (280 × 76 × 10 cm):
- slightly more compact than recreational models;
- but still too wide, bulky, and not maneuverable enough for real surfing.
Pros and Cons of Inflatable SUP Surfing
Pros
- compactness: folds and fits in a suitcase;
- soft sides reduce the risk of injury;
- cheaper than hard boards.
Cons
- the flexible design “walks” on the wave;
- turns slowly;
- not suitable for serious progress in surfing.
What about the paddle?
This is where the key difference lies.
SUP = board + paddle. The paddle helps to accelerate, maintain balance, catch the wave, and complete turns.
Surfing = only the board. Acceleration with the hands, control with the body and legs.
The paddle on a SUP works as a “motor” and a “third point of support.” In surfing, it is unnecessary: it would only hinder maneuverability and increase the risk of injury.
Safety
- Always use a lish — a SUP board is larger and heavier than a surfboard.
- Keep your distance from others: the paddle and the bulky board can cause injury.
- Be aware of the wind and current — SUPs are more sensitive to these factors.
- Avoid sudden paddle strokes on reefs to prevent getting caught or injured.
Summary
If the goal is to catch a few waves on vacation, an inflatable SUP is a good choice. It is safe, compact, and the paddle makes it easy to get started.
If you want to seriously surf, a hard surfboard is the obvious choice. Even a simple softboard will provide a surfing experience that is as close to real surfing as possible.
