The Best Inflatable Paddle Board - Reality vs the Internet

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Shopping for an inflatable SUP can seem like a daunting task at first.  The sheer (excessive) number of brands, models, features, and price points that are available can appear bewildering and confusing.  

If you read just one article before making your decision on a new paddle board, make it this one. If nothing else, it will give you insight and a better framework for discerning real and useful information from the nonsense that permeates most of the internet.

Choosing an Inflatable SUP: The Reality

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Faced with too many choices and no prior knowledge of how to select a board, many buyers fall under the spell of a well-placed advertisement in the form of one of those “10 Best Inflatable Paddle Boards” lists (or equivalent categorized list) that come up on Google when you search for buying advice. 

You may have already figured out that these sites can’t actually tell you which board is best for you. The hard truth is that these articles make their money by referring buyers to Amazon or certain manufacturer’s sites that reward the site owner with a financial incentive when you purchase after clicking a link from the article.

These lists and editorial recommendations are intertwined with more modern marketing guises such as company-affiliated social media groups and "influencers" to push a narrative that morphs reality within the social media box. 

Once you have had some basic experience with paddle boarding, you will see that the bulk of rating site reviews and “influencers” do not exhibit the depth of experience with the product that would actually be needed to make an expert recommendation.

You may also encounter ‘editorials’ on sites that appear very legitimate, even well-known magazines and newspaper sites are now identifying boards that sell in volume and generating revenue for themselves by collecting commissions when people buy the “recommended” products.

In addition to monetized editorial reviews and manipulated social media, you should also be aware that fake 'customer' reviews are a huge problem for e-commerce in general, and the stand up paddle board industry is no exception.  In fact, there is an entire shadowy industry of automated customer review generation, allowing companies to amass hundreds of glowing reviews as long as they are willing to pay for them.

These factors combine to present the biggest problem in finding the right paddle board for you. The amount of noise out there just overwhelms a lot of people and they kind of give up and buy whatever board gets the highest "rating" on a monetized review site or shows lots of 5-star customer reviews, not realizing the amount of behind-the-scenes maneuvering that was involved in creating the appearance of a hugely popular product.

They end up with an at best average board kit that is likely overpriced for its quality level and isn’t ideal for their particular needs. At worst the board ends up in a landfill before the summer even ends because actually getting warranty and support in the event of an issue is nonexistent. 

The companies that have been most insistent in self-promotion through these mass influence methods have been sold to investment companies with a singular focus on rapid sales growth.  This has resulted in a troubling level of product defects due to rushed production and cost-cutting and has led to several product recalls, with unfortunate buyers forced to return or destroy their boards and even wait for months for replacements from the manufacturer. 

In this article, we share our methods of choosing a board that is the right fit for you, while ensuring that you are in a better position to understand the key factors to consider when choosing an inflatable SUP.

Making an Informed Decision

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If you have found this article, you are already ahead of the curve by taking the time to utilize the information on our site. Fortunately, there are specific steps you can take to narrow down your buying choices and sources of information available to help you make an informed decision on which inflatable SUP to buy that best meets your specific needs.

We have worked with thousands of paddle board buyers with no prior knowledge of how to choose a paddle board and have guided them through the process of selecting the equipment that is the best fit for their particular needs. Our record is first-rate and we pride ourselves on getting it right. 

As a result of our experience working with so many SUP buyers, we have been able to distill the process of choosing an inflatable SUP and accessory package into the easy to follow step-by-step system described below.

The basic steps for choosing the best inflatable SUP are:

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Step 1: Determine Your Price Range and Budget

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Really good inflatable paddle boards may seem expensive, but you need to consider it as a one-time cost that comes with investing in quality. As with any piece of recreational equipment, there are a wide range of price points and levels of quality to choose from to fit your budget and aspirations.

The price range for inflatable paddles boards is from approximately $150 to $2500. This wide range of prices generally correlates to the wide range of materials used in making them, the specifics of how they are built, features and designs, and the amount and skill level of the manual labor that goes into their fabrication, though the end cost isn’t always commensurate with the expected level of quality across different brands and models so due diligence is recommended. 

Entry Level Inflatable SUP Boards

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Cheaper inflatable paddle board models are generally priced in the $300-$800 MSRP range. In the lower end of this range, you’ll get a very basic starter set, maybe okay for kids to play on close to shore, but not a board you’ll feel good about using regularly or venturing far from shore on. With an ultra-cheap board, you can be sure that the manufacturer has skimped on most points of quality to minimize the cost.

As you push toward the $800 mark, you’ll find some boards that will be good enough to get you out on the water, give you a reasonable feel for what paddle boarding is like, and meet some basic quality guidelines, but you won’t be getting the most durable or highest performing boards.

Lower cost boards have to be made with calculated compromises in material and component quality to keep manufacturing costs in a range that allows for the low price. Many buyers who start with a board in this entry level range soon realize that they want more from their equipment and invest in a better board. While this progression is understandable, a lot of wasted expense can be avoided by spending a little more on the initial purchase to avoid the need for an expensive upgrade later. 

You will see many boards in this price range promoted on rating sites and ‘Top 10’ type lists.  This is a price range rife with misinformation.  Keep in mind that these sites make money when people click on links to purchase the products they list presenting a clear incentive to promote the products that are easiest to sell, due to their cheap prices.

Few of those sites will acknowledge that the cheaper boards on their lists are there because of their price, not because they have the performance, durability, or specialization of higher-end boards. The hard truth in the current pay-for-play e-commerce economy is that many options in this range are marketed very aggressively,  though are completely underwhelming if assessed on any criteria other than price.

Performance Level Inflatable SUP Boards

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High-quality and optimally performing inflatable SUP boards mostly fall in the $900-$1300 MSRP range. This is where buyers generally should look if they are enthusiastic about getting into SUP and are willing to invest in equipment that performs better and will be used season after season, not end up in a landfill prematurely.

Boards in this category will be designed for optimal performance and be made of more durable materials, in factories that adhere to higher quality and ethical standards.  Stretching into this price range can get you a lot in terms of quality and performance upgrades and better accessories, so the initial investment will be well-spent and will save you money over time by making it a one-time purchase.

Companies new to the SUP industry, and some of the usual suspects that churned out bargain basement boards for years, are slinking their way into this price range due to inflation and rising production costs.  

The history of the brand specific to inflatable SUP development is an important consideration when approaching a performance level SUP, more so than the amount of money a brand spends on advertising and influencers. 

Enthusiast and Specialty Use Inflatable Paddle Boards

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Above $1300 MSRP, you’ll find some specialty boards designed for enthusiasts who can afford to pay a premium for specific purpose designs or unique features. If you are planning to make SUP a significant part of your recreational life, then looking at a specialty board in this price range may be an investment that makes sense.

If the level of performance and quality you are striving for is beyond your budget, don’t despair. Buying a clearance, store demo or open box unit can get you the quality of a higher-priced board at a much lower price. These opportunities are almost always out there for smart and determined shoppers looking to make their dollar stretch further and who are willing to invest in a quality brand.

Note that we have listed MSRP in these ranges which by its nature is open to opportunism. The broader pitfalls of commercial markets are well beyond the scope of this article but we've all developed a general skepticism that if a deal seems too good to be true, it often is. A more detailed approach is needed to discern the right SUP board and this can start with price ranges as a factor, but should be evaluated in unison with other criteria.

Step 2: Consider the Types of Paddling Activities You’ll Be Doing

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Whether you are just looking for a fun way to get out on the water or you are a fitness fanatic or thrill-seeker, there is a board out there for you. Every board is designed with a range of paddling activities in mind, so an important step in choosing a paddle board is narrowing down on what kinds of paddling you’ll be doing.

• Cruising on flat water. Paddling around on lakes, slow moving rivers, or coastal waters is the most popular way of enjoying stand up paddle boarding. You’re out on the water, enjoying the sensation of standing up while paddling, seeing nature, and getting some exercise.
• Surfing. For the more physically adventurous, SUP is a fantastic alternative to traditional surfing and a really fun way to catch waves in the ocean. You are already standing and you have a paddle to propel you, so you have two things in your favor compared to traditional surfing. If you have access to a river with the right conditions, you can also surf standing waves that form in whitewater rapids.
• Running river rapids. You can use a SUP almost anywhere you would paddle a kayak, including in whitewater. Standing on a paddle board is a unique sensation and give you a completely different perspective to see things you wouldn’t notice in a kayak. Many kayakers give SUP a try and will never go back. This is a very specific and skilled area of the sport where specific whitewater paddling equipment such as quick release leashes, inherently buoyant life jackets and helmets are in common use.  
• Expedition touring. This is another activity where a paddle board can take the place of a kayak or canoe. Day tripping and overnight camping are both possible on a SUP board.
• Racing. Competitive athletes and other fitness-minded individuals can get involved in the SUP racing scene. During the summer months, most locations with accessible water have races of different levels every weekend.
• Yoga. A stand up paddle board adds a dimension of instability that ups the challenge level of practicing yoga, while being on the water brings an element of outdoor tranquility.
• Fishing. A SUP board is an excellent platform for fishing or crabbing. Compared to a kayak, canoe, or rowboat, a SUP lets you move around and get as close to the water as you want, opening up new possibilities and venues for fishing.

While some boards are specifically designed for a particular use, many boards are designed to cover a range of different uses.

Low and mid-range boards will tend to be less versatile, and will usually provide a less satisfying experience compared to a higher-end board, even in flat water paddling.

Knowing how you will use the board will help you narrow down your search to a specific category of board or at least provide information that an experienced dealer can start with to help you sort out your options.

Step 3: Decide Where To Shop

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Now that you have an idea of how you will use the board and what price range you are looking for, you have the basic information you need to begin your search. At this point, you should narrow down where you will be shopping for the board. There are plenty of dealers online and in brick and mortar stores that will gladly take your money, so finding one will not be difficult.

The problem is that there are too many businesses trying to make a buck selling paddle boards, and the challenge lies in choosing a dealer that is actually qualified to give experience-based advice specific to inflatable SUP boards and provide effective after-sale service. Ideally, you’ll want to find a seller that can provide all the information you need to understand what you’re buying and why, and will be reachable either by phone or in person to help you understand your options and to answer questions after you receive your equipment.

How to Assess a SUP Dealer

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Due to the specialized nature and size of inflatable paddle boards, there are not many physical stores that will have a wide variety of boards and the depth of product knowledge needed to assist with your purchase.

This leaves specialized online dealers as the best option in most cases, but you need to really assess their product knowledge so you can decide who to work with since the same caveats apply.

A dealer that sells all categories of outdoor products is much less likely to have detailed knowledge of inflatable paddle boards than one who makes it their specialty. Ask yourself some questions about any dealer you are considering.

• Do they have detailed articles explaining aspects of paddle board design and construction?
• Do the articles make sense and answer your questions?
• Does the dealer provide meaningful and specific assessments of the boards they sell, beyond the marketing speak provided by the manufacturers?
• Are they specialized in inflatable paddle boards or is SUP just one of many departments for them?
• Do they have staff with actual paddle boarding experience?
• Can you get a person on the phone to answer your questions and provide advice? 

It takes a bit of due diligence to find an online dealer that will add value to your shopping experience, but finding one will make the rest of the process so much easier.

We want you shopping on Pumped Up SUP and we put a lot of effort into informing buyers and providing a high level of service. We build and maintain our website entirely ourselves with detailed articles to present information that matters, and we've built our business on a reputation for product knowledge and customer support.

Pumped Up SUP is a small business that loves our sport and specialize entirely in inflatable stand up paddle boards so we are more detailed and personable about getting the right SUP and gear for our customers. 

The right SUP board is a combination of design and features, quality level and size that align to how and where you want to paddle. Featured Product | ERS Deck S3 (GEN-3) 

STEP 4: Settle On The Type of SUP You Want

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You’ve already put some thought into what you’ll be doing on the board, so now is the time to gain an understanding of the categories of board and how they relate to your intended uses.

• All-Around SUP boards are designed to work in a variety of conditions without specializing in any one activity.
• Touring SUPs are adapted to long-distance paddling where efficient glide is a priority and fast turning is not.
• Racing SUPs are sleek and narrow in addition to being longer than all-around SUPs, with less emphasis on convenience features such as cargo tie-downs.
• Whitewater SUPs tend to be specialized for specific whitewater activities, such as running rapids or surfing on river waves.
• Surfing SUPs are generally shorter than all-around boards and shaped for maneuverability in ocean waves, although a good all-around board is usually well suited to surfing as well.
• Yoga SUPs are wide and stable and should have a long and plush deck pad.
• Fishing SUPs are also wide and stable and may have a variety of fittings to hold fishing rods and other gear.

If you don’t have a specific purpose in mind for a board then you should be looking for something in the All-Around SUP category, which will allow you to explore various areas of SUP at your own time and pace.

Boards designed for a specific purpose can still be used for other types of paddling, so you should consider all of the ways you want to use your board and choose a model that can cross over from one purpose to another.

This is an area where understanding what aspects of a board make it suitable for particular uses is needed and where specific advice from a specialist inflatable SUP dealer is important.

Step 5: Determine What Size Board You Need

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Once you have some clear ideas on how you will be using the board and have identified a board type that will work for you, you can turn your attention to board sizing. This is an area where the folly of the one-size-fits-all approach taken by many of those rating sites we’ve talked about really becomes apparent.

Ask yourself this: How can a board simultaneously be the best choice for a 120lb rider who wants to surf and paddle in whitewater and for another rider weighing 240lb interested in flat water cruising and fishing? Not possible, right?

Optimal Board Sizing

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Most boards for all-around use fall within a fairly narrow range of length (between 10 and 11 feet) and width (between 30 and 34 inches), but you also need to pay close attention to the board volume, which is mainly determined by its thickness. A board in the average range of length and width that is 5 inches thick will have plenty of volume for riders up to a weight in the neighborhood of 200lb, depending on skill level.

For riders below this weight threshold, a thicker board will be less stable because the center of gravity is higher.  It will also be harder to climb on from the water, and less convenient to inflate and carry. The most common mistake we see is buying a SUP with too much volume. An excessively large SUP board will support a lot of weight, but will have you feeling like you are bobbing over the water rather than gliding through it.

Board width is also critical. An excessively wide board will be slow and will make you reach to the side uncomfortably to clear the edge of the board with each stroke you take.

For all-around use, we recommend you generally stay at or under 11 feet in length, no more than 34 inches in width, and limit the thickness to 5 inches unless you weigh over 200-225 lb. There are exceptions though for specialist SUP pursuits that will differ from our recommendations for all-around boards.  For example, if your primary use will be surfing, you may want to go shorter (9’6” or less), and if your primary use is touring or racing, you’ll probably want to go longer (12’6” or more).

Purchasing for Your Weight Range

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If you are shopping for a board for a rider 200-225lbs+, that would be a specific case where it makes sense to look at boards with 6 inches thickness, because at that weight the extra volume serves a purpose, the board will ride lower due to the extra weight, and the extra thickness adds rigidity that a heavier rider will need.

If you are below 205 lb, an all-around board with 5 inches of thickness will feel better on the water. If considering a longer board for the purposes of touring / distance, or a downstream specific whitewater board a 6" board size can be considered. Again, you need to get past the one-size-fits-all approach and understand how your particular situation determines which board is best for you.

Step 6: Explore Specific Board Features

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Here are some of the key features to look for when evaluating and comparing boards:

• Fixed vs. removable fin system: Some boards have permanently attached, unbreakable fins that perform well in most conditions and can be one less thing to think about when you gear up for paddling. Higher end boards may feature mix-and-match fins in various sizes that can be swapped out to tune the performance of the board. What level of fin system complexity you want is something you’ll want to think about.
• High vs. low-density deck pad: The deck pad is an area where higher end brands use more expensive grades of foam rubber which may look the same as a cheap deck pad but makes a surprising difference in your comfort level while paddling. Cheaper deck pads made of low-density foam will wear through in a very short time. 
• Kick tail: Some boards will have a contoured area at the back of the deck pad with a raised back and an arch support which is a great thing to have when you progress to intermediate turning skills.
• Stiffening systems: Board stiffness starts (and mostly ends) with the quality of the base materials, a mostly invisible quality attribute, but can be enhanced with various stiffening technologies that vary by brand. Many of these systems on the market are ineffective, such adding 'carbon' rail tape to the rail which sounds high-tech but serves no effective rigidity purpose on an inflatable SUP. 
• Hardware and riggings: Attachment points for cargo bungees, leashes, or tow ropes should ideally be made of stainless steel and should be sensibly placed only where they are needed. An unfortunate trend in SUP board design is to load a board up with lots of bungees and attachment points to make the board seem more useful. The reality is that you only need a few attachment points, and extra ones that don’t get used just add weight to the board and get in the way while you maneuver on the deck.
• Handle options: A nicely cushioned carry handle makes it so much more comfortable to carry the inflated board to the water but can get in the way if you lie down on the board for Yoga, stretching, or relaxation. Look for a board with a removable cushioned grip that wraps around a flat strap handle.
• A quality inflation valve: A critical component of an inflatable SUP board and an area where many brands skimp to lower the board cost. As a buyer, it is very difficult to judge the quality of a valve, so this is an area where the advice of an expert dealer can really make a difference.

SUP boards designed for whitewater or crossover use have different characteristics than all-around SUP boards such as more volume, width, rocker and unique fin configurations. Featured Product | ERS DUAL 9-6 S3R 

Step 7: Identify The Best Accessories To Complement Your Board

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While the board is usually the starting point in shopping for SUP equipment, keep in mind that it will be part of a larger assembly of gear in which every piece contributes to your paddle boarding experience.

There are two main accessories that will make a huge difference in your experience using your inflatable SUP: The pump and the paddle.

The Manual SUP Pump

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All inflatable SUP boards come with a manual pump. The pumps will vary in quality, but - some bad news here - none of them make it easy to inflate a paddle board to full pressure.  Some manual pumps are “dual action”, meaning they inflate on both the downstroke and upstroke, which is an improvement over a single-action pump and are really the best option for manual pumping.

Some manual pumps are double-barrel behemoths, which can move a lot of air at low pressure, but are just as challenging as any other pump once you have initially filled the board with air (the easy part of the pumping task) and are working to increase the pressure to the recommended PSI that the board needs to function optimally. There are some basic physics that applies to how pumps work and no matter how the pump is designed, pushing air through a valve at 15 psi will always be a workout.

The solution to this is to buy an electric pump designed specifically for SUP inflation. Electric SUP pumps can be powered from your car’s cigarette lighter socket or from a portable 12 Volt power source and take the effort out of inflating your SUP so you can save your energy for paddling.  Just be sure to get an inflator designed specifically for SUP, because tire inflators won’t move enough air volume to fill a SUP, and pumps for air mattresses and pool toys can’t provide the pressure needed for a paddle board.

An electric pump is generally not included with inflatable SUP boards, so it’s important to look at adding one to your package at the time of purchase, which can save you a lot of money compared to making it a separate purchase. 

Choosing A SUP Paddle

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The paddle is the other accessory that will make a huge difference in your paddling experience.  Because it is what propels you through the water, the paddle can be just as important as the board itself. Many boards come with a paddle included in the box, but in most cases the included paddle is not a very good one.

This is another area where you should look to the dealer to round out your kit with an upgraded paddle at an advantageous price at the time of your board purchase.

The sticking point here is that many manufacturers and dealers are selling sub par paddles under the guise of a professional paddle.  It's a tricky situation for the buyer but we would suggest reading our article on what to look for in a SUP paddle that will give some insight into the technical aspects to separate from the advertising fog. 

In the end, what you are buying is a full setup including board, pump, paddle, and other accessories, so you’ll be better off choosing a SUP that doesn’t include a bunch of low-quality accessories you didn’t choose.  Consider the entire package and buy from a retailer that is willing to swap things out and upgrade so you get the exact package you want and only pay for the accessories you have chosen. 

Lightweight and strong carbon SUP paddles are the ultimate accessory to get the most out of every paddling session.  An ultra-light pickup means less effort per stroke, allowing extended time on the water.  Featured Product | ERS Carbon 95 | Green 

Step 8: Put It All Together To Make Your Choice

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Once you have gotten comfortable with a dealer, defined your price range and board type, determined the right length, width, and thickness, considered specific board features, and selected the best accessories for your needs, you’re ready to narrow down your choices and settle on a board to purchase.

Having read this far, you know the most important principles that will enable you to make an informed choice.  We have covered a lot, so let’s summarize some of the most actionable advice based on our experience:

- Know what category of board type you are looking for.  Most first-time buyers will want to go with an all-around board, unless the board will have a very specific primary use, such as surfing, long-distance expeditions, racing, or running whitewater.  A good place to start shopping in this category on our site is on our All-Around SUP Boards page.

- Shop in a price range that you can afford and that allows for quality materials and high production standards so that you end up with a board that will be enjoyable to paddle and last a long time. Thinking long term and spreading your investment out over more seasons can get you a better board and a lower lifetime cost when replacement cost is considered.  Our site also has category pages to help you shop by price range.

- Assess the knowledge and experience of the seller you choose to buy from and keep a critical eye out for fast growth-oriented businesses that will promise more than they can deliver and use individually targeted advertising and manipulate social media to meet their ever-increasing sales targets and investor demands.

- Buy a board with a length, width, and thickness that are optimal for the weight of the primary rider or the heaviest person who will be using the board regularly. Buying a board with excessive thickness and volume can make paddling less enjoyable while increasing inflation time and making the board harder to carry.

-  Compare the fin systems of any boards you are considering to give you the best performance, convenience, reliability, and flexibility.

- Avoid boards with excessive D-Rings and other attachments in the standing zone, which can get in the way of your footwork and can scrape you while getting back on the board from the water.

- Carefully choose the paddle and other accessories, which are every bit as important as the board to your overall experience.  

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We hope the knowledge you have gained by reading this article will result in your choosing an inflatable SUP and accessories that will get you the most from your time on the water and will help make paddle boarding an exciting new part of your recreational life.  

 

Pumped Up SUP is an online store specializing in high-performance inflatable stand up paddle boards and accessories. We're always happy to answer your questions - just give us a call at 1-877-777-1769.

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Want More Expert Advice on Choosing an Inflatable SUP Board?

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Check out our 2023 Inflatable Paddle Board Buying Guide or A Beginner's Guide To Choosing A Paddle Board where we further discuss board uses and shapes, features and accessories that are essential to your SUP experience. 

Want To Buy an Inflatable SUP Board?

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Explore our range of SUP boards for sale by activity / use in Inflatable SUP Type or focus on Inflatable SUP Brands to find the right board for you. 

Want Answers to Anything Stand Up Paddle Boarding and Inflatable SUP?

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The Pumped Up SUP SUP Paddle Blog is the best resource on the internet for up to date information to help with your next inflatable SUP purchase!

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