How to Paddleboard

Beginner's guide to paddleboarding

Learning how to ride

Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUPs) - Mastering How to Paddleboard

Whether you’re keen on yoga, navigating rapids, or enjoying a serene paddle across the lake, there's a paddleboard tailored for you. Let's explore what factors to consider when selecting the perfect board.

When learning how to use a SUP board and buying one, several factors come into play...

Hull Type

Choosing between planing or displacement hulls depends on your preferred paddling style. Planing hulls are wide and flat, ideal for recreational paddling, yoga, or whitewater adventures. On the other hand, displacement hulls have a pointed front, offering better efficiency for fitness paddling, racing, or longer excursions.

Solid or Inflatable

The decision between a solid or inflatable board often hinges on storage space. Inflatables are favored by those with limited storage options or who travel frequently. They can be conveniently packed into a storage bag for transport, making them suitable for various modes of travel.

Volume and Weight Capacity

The volume and weight capacity of a paddleboard are crucial for stability and performance. Selecting a board with the appropriate capacity ensures optimal paddling experience and prevents instability or drag issues.

Fluid Fun stocks C4 Waterman SUPs in both solid and inflatable models.

Come visit us and test out the boards on the river to find your perfect match!

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need to have any experience?
We all have to start somewhere so of course not.

Youtube, forums, and online are great ways to get started before you hop on the water but we recommend finding others to go with at first until you feel comfortable on the water.
2What do I need to get started?
To get started we recommend having a boat of course but also a PFD (Lifejacket), and a paddle.

Some other things to consider are dry bags/boxes, water shoes (not flipflops), spare clothes, dry wear, sunhats, sponge, bilge pump, and more.

Take a look on our website to see what we carry!
3Do I need to wear my lifejacket?
We highly recommend it; in a study done by the coast guard it was found that 87% of people who drowned were NOT wearing lifejackets.

So be safe and wear your lifejackets. If you don't have one, we carry a wide variety in store and here online!

In some states you legally have to wear a PFD on the water. In Indiana you must wear it if you are in a sit-on-top but if not, it must be somewhere on the boat. Check your local and state regulations.
4What about the weather?
Only go out if you feel comfortable DO NOT go out if you feel worried or anxious about the weather.

We do not reccommend going out in conditions that have high wind speeds or in thunderstorms.

If you do go out in moderate to severe weather make sure to dress for the occasion whether its boatloads of sunscreen or water proof jackets with sprayskirts.
5How much can a kayak cost?
Your typical recreational boat can vary but are roughly in the low thousands range.

We do offer a large selection of boats the lowest starting around a few hundred dollars and our most expensive running a few thousand.
6Can I bring my furry friend?
Of course! We carry boats specifically designed to fit dogs.

Keep in mind your dogs temperament, comfort, and energy levels if you wish to take them out.

Also be mindful though that your furry friends will need their own lifejackets when on the water to stay safe.
7Do inflatable kayaks exist?
They in fact do! We currently only carry a few inflatable kayaks single person and tandem styles.

There are a lot of different options out there for inflatable boats and they can be stored a lot easier in smaller spaces than your standard kayak as well.
8Are kayaks heavy?
Depending on your material, boat length, and paddling preferences it can vary.

The most common boats you see on the water are a polyethene rotomolded which are basically thick, heavy-duty plastic and often weighing around 45-65 lbs.

We do offer ABS boats which are an acrylic material made to weigh less than your typical boat that can be roughly 25-40 lbs almost halving the weight! We also carry composite boats that weigh around what the ABS boats do just a different hybrid of materials.
9Do we rent?
We do not rent (Google says we do but dont be fooled!), but we sell a wide variety of boats for you to get your best fit and avoid any hassle with renting!

Look here on our website at a large selection then come on down to check us out!

Have more questions?

Our team of experts is ready and waiting to help you out. Reach out to us now!