Stand up paddle boarding and stand up paddle surfing has become extremely popular throughout the Hawaiian islands. Anytime you head out to a great break like Canoes or Pops, you’ll probably see someone standing up on a wider than normal surfboard, using an abnormally long paddle to cruise through the waves.

Stand up paddle boards range in size from smaller boards for light riders to 16 foot boards for long distance paddle boarding. Paddle vary based on the height of the paddler and can be made of all types of materials. Stand up boards, like any surfboard or kayak, can range in price from beginner around $1000, to several thousand dollars for a nice competition board.

Stand Up Paddle Boards

As mentioned, stand up paddle boards come in all sorts of sizes and prices. You don’t even need a specific stand up board if you have the balance or a large enough surf board. Stand up boards, however, are made with stand up in mind. They are wider and thicker and have a flater top usually with a deck pad running 3/4 the length of the board.

If you’re thinking about doing some open ocean stand up paddle boarding you’ll be much better off with a competition board like a 16 foot board. These boards are extremely thick and have a lot more rocker. Meaning the front ends of the boards are angled up.

A good beginner board is a South Point or a C4 Waterman. I would suggest an 11′ or 11′6″ board. Some prefer a shorter board like a 10′, but if you’re beginning a longer board will help you. Plus longer boards will enable you to use them in more conditions, like Kailua Bay, or Black Point at Diamond Head.

Stand Up Paddle Surfing

If you’re looking to get into stand up paddle surfing you may want a little shorter board, or a fish tail, or something with a little different shape in the back to allow for easier maneuvering on the wave. Although you can use your paddle for turning and guiding you down the face of the wave, a slightly different shape to your board can go a long way.

Stand up paddle surfing is really the same thing, only you’re headed out with the intention of surfing. In Hawaii, these guys can be dogged in the water by other surfers, although as time goes on, you may see more stand up paddle surfers than surfers on some breaks.

It takes a lot of skill to stand up and paddle out over breaking waves. You’ll want to start out in smaller surf and stay to the end of the break. Being able to drop to your knees quickly and pop back up on your board is also a good skill to have.

Stand Up Paddles

Stand up paddles for paddle boarders and surfers are long. The suggested length is about 6 inches over your head. These paddles are best made out of carbon fiber or some type of carbon composite material. Another popular material for paddles is wood. Although more expensive, some claim the feel is better than those carbon counterparts. Also the traditionalists will promote wood over carbon composites any day.