How To Tell It’s Time To Upgrade Your Paddleboard

Whether you fell in love with paddleboarding over the summer or have spent the past few years refining your skills, you’ll likely be hitting the water on an inflatable paddleboard purchased to help you develop as a beginner. Having the best paddleboard for your needs and skill level is essential, so inevitably there comes a time when you might need to upgrade your SUP to suit your current level of adventure. If that lightbulb moment hasn’t occurred yet or you’re not sure whether you can justify an upgrade, we’ve put together five tell-tale signs that suggest a new paddleboard is the right next step for you. 

You’ve Outgrown Your Current Board

The most obvious justification for a new paddleboard is outgrowing your current one. A high-volume, beginner-friendly board will have been perfect for you as a beginner. However, once you’ve developed your confidence and progressed your technique then it’s likely you’ll have advanced beyond what this kind of inflatable paddleboard can offer. 

Beginner boards are designed for stability and ease of use, while the next level of paddleboard is built for performance and responsiveness in more challenging water conditions. If you’re starting to notice that your current board feels sluggish or can’t handle the type of paddling you’re interested in, opt for a step up from our innovative touring range.

You’re Going On Holiday

Paddleboarding on local shores often ignites an even deeper sense of adventure - one that can be satisfied by taking your SUP on holiday with you. If you are planning to travel with your paddleboard, consider whether your current set-up offers the portability and reliability you’ll need to explore new and unknown destinations. Remember that you might need to take your board on a plane or train, or get it to the shore on your back in places you’re unfamiliar with. Upgrading your equipment is often the best way to satisfy these needs and the best paddleboard for travel will always be one that is lightweight and compact without compromising on performance - just like our compact range. 

You Bought From “The Middle Aisle”

When starting any new sport, most people aren’t sure how much they will like it and opt for an entry-level product to test the waters. However, once you discover the beauty of paddleboarding you quickly want to paddle further, faster and more efficiently. Better board performance is needed for this - which is exactly where we come in! 

When picking your upgrade, think about the type of paddling that you want to do to make sure that you find your perfect match. At Red, we’ve designed our inflatable paddleboards to be highly durable and resilient, capable of withstanding high pressures for an authentic paddleboarding experience. With MSL technology and strict quality control, our boards offer the best performance on the market. 

You Want To Try Something New

It’s often beach trips and casual exploration that get adventurers into paddleboarding but more specialised excursions that keep you hooked. With a basic paddling technique refined, you’ll be well-placed to try out something new on the water such as racing, SUP yoga, or even white water paddleboarding. All of these types of paddleboarding are best tackled with a specialist paddleboard; if one appeals to you, upgrading your board will be the best way to start. Our Wild boards are built to withstand the rigours of fast-moving white water, while our Elite range boards are primed to hit the speeds you’re after on race day.

You Want To Paddle With Others

If it’s the social aspect of paddleboarding that has you returning to the water, you may need to consider upgrading to an inflatable paddleboard with more space and stability. You can paddleboard with friends, family, and even your dog(!), and a bigger board ensures that this experience is both safe and fun for all involved. The best paddleboard upgrade for use with others will depend on who is involved. If you’re doubling up, check out a Tandem board. Larger groups or families will get the most benefit from our Ride XL model. 

Ready To Upgrade?

If you’re ready to get the most out of your time on the water, look no further than the high-quality range of paddleboards available at Red. Boasting improved performance, durability and the chance to try something different, we’re confident that our range of paddleboards offers something for everyone. You can browse all of our boards online, or use our handy board selector to find the perfect upgrade for you.