How To Choose a Paddle Board Size For You

If you’re wondering what size paddle board to get, two things: 1) you’re not alone, and 2) you’ve come to the right place. In fact, “what size paddle board should I get?” is one of the most common questions we receive. And for good reason. It’s an important one. The last thing you want, after all, is to buy a board that’s either too big to maneuver or too small to keep stable.

The key is to find that perfect Goldilocks paddle board size—you know, the board that’s ‘just right.’ The board that suits your height, your weight, and your individual needs to perfection.

The good news is that at BOTE, you’ve got a team of experienced water adventurers to help you find that board. With SUP lengths ranging from 8′ to 14′ and weight capacities ranging from 100lbs to 400+lbs, there’s something for everybody (and every body).

So, without further ado, here’s how to know what size SUP to get.

First off, a few different metrics come into play when you’re talking about size. To take it back to high school physics, you’re effectively working with a few different measurements: volume, length, width, and thickness.

Volume is the measurement of your board’s buoyancy in liters. In other words, it’s a SUPs ability to support and float weight. And it’s determined by the board’s length x width x depth (thickness). Length is the measurement of a board from tip to tail. Width, from side to side. And depth is the distance between the top of the board and the bottom.

Determining what size paddle board is right for you is a process that involves parsing and paring these various measurements with your body type.

The general rule of thumb is this: you’ll want a longer board if you're taller. If you’re shorter, you’ll want a shorter one.

The reasons are mostly pretty intuitive. Taller people have higher centers of gravity than shorter people. So, a taller person will find it more difficult to maintain balance on a shorter board. Alternatively, a shorter person will struggle to control a longer board.

Are you taller than 5′10″? If so, you’ll probably want a board in the 11′6″-14′ range. You’ll want something between 10′6″ and 12′ if you're under that. When in doubt, go for the bigger board because longer and wider boards are more stable.

Arguably more important than your height when determining paddle board size is your weight. Your weight determines how much buoyancy a SUP board will need to properly support you on the water. In other words, if your board size and body weight are misaligned, your ability to either balance or control the board will be affected.

The key is to leave a little wiggle room regarding carrying capacity. Make sure your weight is at least 50 pounds lighter than the maximum capacity of the board. So, if you weigh 185-pounds, you’d probably be wise to skip the Breeze 10′6″ Gatorshell (whose board capacity is 230lbs) and instead opt for a board like the Flood 12′ Gatorshell (300lbs capacity) or the HD 12′ Gatorshell (315lbs). However, if you weigh below 180lbs, the Breeze makes for a perfect (and totally manageable and maneuverable) recreational paddle board.

Also, keep in mind the amount of gear or people you plan to paddle on your board. If you’re planning to bring your pup along for your paddles, that will influence your overall weight and carrying capacity. Equally, if you’re planning to bring along a lot of extra fishing or camping equipment, you’ll want to think about your board’s carrying capacity there, too. This leads us to our following criteria for determining paddle board size: activity.