How to choose your inflatable stand-up paddleboard?

Accessible to everyone, the Stand-Up Paddle is an excellent way to escape and go on an adventure. Combining physical activity and escape, SUP, like cycling, is divided into several disciplines. Whether you prefer family outings, sporty rides (or paddle races), tandem SUP or even surfing, there is a paddle adapted to each of these practices. Given the number of different practices, you need to know how to choose the Stand Up Paddle model adapted to your practice.

At SROKA, we are first and foremost a team of enthusiasts. We have been developing our own range of inflatable Stand-Up Paddles since 2013. It is by working hard that we manage to develop one of the best products on the market, allowing you to have maximum fun on the water.
Being concerned about our environmental impact, we make it a point of honor to develop paddles with a maximized lifespan which will thus limit the use of new resources.

Practicing SUP safely and with appropriate, quality equipment is essential. This is why we choose to offer different ranges of boards. This way, everyone finds what they are looking for according to their expectations and desires.

Paddle for BEGINNERS

For beginners, choose a wider board that provides more stability. Indeed, the wider the paddle, the more stable it is. Our Malibu range is perfect for starting out.
Depending on your build, the size of the board is more or less long. For Malibu, prefer the 10′ for those under 90kg and the 10’6 for those over 90kg or those looking for very high stability.

Paddle for EXPERIENCED RIDERS

As you progress and feel more comfortable, you can choose a narrower board for more responsiveness and glide. For touring or sporty rides, a narrower SUP board allows for better glide due to reduced friction on the water. This is the case for the Alpha range, the Easy 11’6 and 12’6, or the Girly.

CALM WATER
If you are paddling in calm water (calm bodies of water, lakes, ponds), a narrower and thinner Stand-Up Paddle can be considered for beginners. If you want a more cardio practice and more speed, you can opt for a model with a pointed nose (Alpha or Easy 11’6 and 12’6) which will combine stability, speed and performance.

ROUGH WATER
For rough waters (seas, oceans, rivers), slightly wider boards will offer more stability and improve your balance.

This is the case for the Easy and Malibu for example.

The inflatable Stand Up Paddles from the Malibu range are a perfect compromise for starting out and progressing. These boards are perfect for getting started or practicing with family. Ultra versatile, the Malibus are perfect for cruising, surfing, or even trying yoga. Their versatility also ensures a very significant margin for progression!

These are high-end products at SROKA. Malibus are very durable boards; we equip many clubs and nautical centers with this professional range. Malibus have reinforced construction. They feature three layers of PVC on the rails and two layers, fused together, on the top and bottom of the paddle.

In the same vein, we have the Girly range of paddles for women. These are high-performance models with a refined design. In this range, we find the Malibu Girly 10′ model, which is similar to the classic Malibu 10′ but in a version adapted for female builds. If you want a faster paddle, the Girly 11’6 and 12’6 have a thinner nose that allows you to gain glide and cover more distance with less effort.
Adapted for beginners, the design of the Girly makes them unique boards that allow you to combine pleasure, sport, and aesthetics.

For long-distance touring, opt for boards with a pointed nose. They allow you to cut through the water and thus cover more distance with less effort to move forward. For this, we have created the inflatable paddle Easy 11’6×32 and the Easy 12’6×32. These SUPs offer a pleasant glide with great stability. Faster than the Easy 10′, these two models are suitable for both beginners and experienced paddlers, and also if you want to go touring at an attractive price.

Prefer the Easy 11’6 if you are a beginner or for long rides. It will provide you with more comfort and maneuverability compared to the Easy 12’6. These models, like all Easy models, are sold as complete packs including the manual pump, aluminum paddle, leash, fin, and carrying bag.

If you are looking for a high-end board for touring, improving your cardio while gaining performance, opt for the Alpha range of inflatable paddles. This range combines speed and rigidity. It is an excellent compromise for those who want a high-performance, durable board with superb glide and impressive speed performance. Sold with a high-end wheeled carrying bag, it will be very easy to take it to all your favorite spots.

Looking for speed? The longer the Stand Up Paddle board, the more it glides with minimal effort. The SUP will maintain a constant, straight trajectory. The Alpha 12’6×31 and the Easy 12’6×32 are the perfect options for anyone looking for glide, performance, and stability.

These two paddles are built with the same base materials, namely PVC used on rigid-hulled inflatable boats, which are high-end materials, compared to some brands that use truck tarpaulin PVC. The Alpha 12’6×31 and the Easy 12’6×32 are touring-type boards, both of which will provide great sensations.
If you want to go on sporty tours, the Alpha 12’6 will offer better glide because it is narrower. The Easy 12’6, on the other hand, is wider, so you will have better stability.
In summary, the wider the SUP, the more stable it is and the less it will glide.
The Alpha 12’6×28 will therefore be even faster, but a little less stable because it is narrower. It will be more suited to more experienced people.

With three layers on the rails compared to two for the Easy, the Alpha is more resistant. It will also be more durable over time thanks to the fusion technology with which it is built. The Easy is ideal for a first purchase. Made with high-end materials, just like the Alpha, it has excellent value for money, but will still be less rigid compared to the Alpha range.

Stand Up Paddle racing is the most physical discipline in SUP. It's all about speed, endurance, and technique. For paddle racing, ideal boards have a long, thin outline with a pointed bow-shaped nose to optimize glide and cut through the water with minimal friction, and a thinner tail to reduce drag.

Stand-Up Paddle racing can be divided into three categories:

1. Flatwater: A discipline combining endurance, cardio, power, and technique. The principle of the race is to complete courses of different distances (linear or looped) on flat water, ranging from 3 km to over 50 km.
2. Downwind: This is a sport that combines endurance, glide, and sea sense. The principle is to complete a course from point A to point B. The course is done in the direction of the wind and waves to surf the swell with your paddle.
3. Beach Race: The race starts on the beach, board in hand, where competitors navigate sections in waves and others on land. It's often a short and intense format, around 5 km long.
   Long distances.

If you're looking for maximum glide and efficiency, opt for the Alpha 12’6×28 and 14’x27″ boards. Due to their shape designed to combine speed and glide, these boards offer optimal performance in competition. They are relatively narrow and will therefore provide phenomenal glide. With these boards, there are no more excuses; the equipment will not be an issue. Only your technical skill will make the difference!

Surfing with a paddle involves catching waves while using the paddle as propulsion and a pivot point. For this, you need a rounder board than a classic paddle to easily ride the wave.

Who has ever wanted to go Stand-Up Paddling with two people or with family (two adults and two children)? Whether with family, as a couple, or with friends, SROKA has you covered. Our DUO Easy and DUO boards are perfect for tandem paddling.

• Very stable and practical, the DUO Easy will let you share unique moments on the water in complete safety. This 15’9 feet (457 cm) board has two elastic straps, one at the front and one at the back, so you can carry your belongings as you wish. Its raised nose allows you to glide effortlessly over choppy water. Built with quality materials, the Easy DUO board supports up to 220 kg and boasts unmatched durability.

• Lighter and stiffer, the SUP DUO is designed to offer you good stability while having excellent glide. As stable as the Easy DUO, the DUO is stiffer and therefore faster thanks to its design optimized for greater efficiency. Indeed, the SUP DUO is manufactured with the best Dropstich (material layering technique) and PVC on the market, to ensure a gliding sensation similar to a rigid paddleboard. With its 16 feet long (487 cm) and high rigidity, it supports up to 320 kg.

For those who don't want to limit themselves to two-person gliding, SROKA offers giant inflatable paddleboards that can accommodate up to eight people. If you want to have fun with two or even six people, the Giant XL SUP is made for you. Want even more? The Giant XXL SUP allows you to share moments on the water with eight people.

If you still have questions about this, or for any other request, don't hesitate to contact us!