Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) is a fantastic activity for the whole family to enjoy on the water. As your children grow older and more independent, they will likely want to have their own paddleboards to fully experience the joy of paddling. Luckily, there are numerous kid-specific inflatable SUPs available on the market that are designed with their needs in mind. These boards are shorter, narrower, and thinner, making them easier for kids to handle and maneuver. In this comprehensive buying guide, we will explore the best kids stand up paddle boards for 2023, taking into consideration factors such as size, construction, growability, and feedback from young paddlers.
Thurso Adept
The Thurso Adept is our top pick for a kid-specific inflatable SUP. With dimensions of 9′ x 28″ x 4.7″, it strikes a perfect balance between stability and maneuverability. The Adept features the same high-quality construction as the highly-rated Water Walker series iSUPs, including carbon fiber reinforced rails and woven drop stitch fabric. It provides ample stability for smaller children, making it easier for them to paddle straight. The 9′ length ensures that the board will continue to be suitable for your kids as they grow. The Thurso Adept received rave reviews from our young testers, making it an excellent choice for young paddlers.
Nautical Kids
The Nautical Kids iSUP is a scaled-down version of the highly-rated Nautical budget iSUP by iRocker. Measuring 10’8″ x 33″ x 6″, it provides exceptional stability for younger children. The Nautical Kids shares the same construction and features as its full-size counterpart but is shorter (9′ long) and thinner (5″ thick). With a width of 32″, it remains one of the most stable iSUPs on the market. The Nautical Kids has a high weight capacity of 220 lbs, ensuring that it will remain stable as your kids grow into their tweens and early teen years. This iSUP offers plenty of room to grow and comes at a wallet-friendly price.
Sea Gods ASR
The Sea Gods ASR (Adult Supervision Required) is a smaller kids iSUP with dimensions of 8′ x 28″ x 4.5″. Despite its compact size, it features the same excellent construction as Sea God’s other iSUPs, such as the Diatom. The fusion PVC shell, high-density drop stitch, and heat-molded seams allow you and your little one to paddle with confidence at up to 20 PSI for ultimate stiffness and stability. While it may be smaller compared to other iSUPs on this list, the Sea Gods ASR is perfect for kids up to 120 lbs. It also comes with Sea Gods’ lifetime warranty, ensuring that it will withstand the test of time.
Gili Cuda 9’/8′
The Gili Cuda kids iSUP is a scaled-down version of the popular Gili Air iSUP, available in two sizes: 9′ and 8′. The Cuda 8′ measures 8′ x 30″ x 4″ and has a weight capacity of 95 lbs, while the Cuda 9′ measures 9′ x 30″ x 4″ and has a weight capacity of 130 lbs. Both sizes share the same construction and feature set as their full-size counterpart. The shorter version offers increased maneuverability, while the longer version provides better tracking. The Gili Cuda is an excellent choice for kids of all ages, ensuring that they can continue to enjoy paddleboarding as they grow.
Thurso Prodigy Jr.
The Thurso Prodigy Jr. is the smallest iSUP on our list, measuring just 7.5′ x 30″ x 4″. Despite its compact size, it provides excellent stability due to its wider width. The Prodigy Jr. is best suited for younger children or as a first Surf SUP for older kids. It shares the same high-quality materials and construction as Thurso’s full-size iSUPs, ensuring durability and performance. The Prodigy Jr. is a great option for introducing your little ones to the world of paddleboarding.
Bluefin Cruise Jr.
The Bluefin Cruise Jr. is a smaller version of the popular Bluefin Cruise 10’8″ SUP. With dimensions of 8′ x 29″ x 5″, it offers a more suitable fit for kids. It shares the same high-quality materials and construction as its full-size counterpart, ensuring durability and performance. The Cruise Jr. also includes a kayak seat and paddle conversion kit, allowing for versatile paddling experiences. The Bluefin Cruise Jr. is a fantastic all-in-one kit that provides endless fun for your kids on the water.
Bote Flow Aero
The Bote Flow Aero kids iSUP utilizes Bote’s AeroBote construction technology, which provides exceptional stiffness and durability. With dimensions of 8′ x 30″ x 4.5″, it strikes a perfect balance between stability and maneuverability. The extra-large center fin included with the Flow Aero helps improve tracking, ensuring that your kids can paddle straight and keep up with the family. This iSUP is designed to withstand the rough and tumble nature of kids’ play, making it an excellent choice for adventurous young paddlers.
Honu Arlie
The Honu Arlie is a high-performance iSUP specifically designed for kids. It shares the same ultralight and high-performance design as the full-size Honu Byron. With dimensions of 8.5′ x 27″ x 4.7″, it provides exceptional stability and maneuverability. The Arlie features a raised kick-pad on the tail of the board, allowing your kids to work on more advanced maneuvers and giving them better control when riding waves. The US fin box of the Honu Arlie allows for performance changes depending on water conditions. This iSUP is perfect for kids who want to take their paddleboarding skills to the next level.
What Makes a Paddleboard Good for a Kid?
When choosing a paddleboard for a child, there are several factors to consider. First and foremost, the size of the paddleboard should match the size of the rider. Kids’ paddleboards are typically shorter, narrower, and thinner than adult boards, providing easier handling and maneuverability for young paddlers. Durability is also crucial, as kids may be more likely to bump, drop, or use their boards in unconventional ways. Additionally, considering the growth of your child is important to ensure the board remains suitable as they grow older.
What Do I Need to Paddle With My Kids?
To paddle with your kids, each child will need their own set of paddleboarding equipment. This includes a paddleboard, paddle, fins, leash, and a well-fitted personal flotation device (PFD). It is essential to ensure that each child wears a PFD while paddling, as it promotes safety on the water. Checking local regulations regarding PFD requirements for children is also crucial. By providing each child with their own equipment, they can fully enjoy their paddleboarding experience.
What Other Considerations Are There When Paddling With Kids?
When paddleboarding with kids, it is important to plan for short trips with frequent breaks. Younger children may have limited endurance, so it is crucial to allow for rest and hydration. Packing plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen is essential to keep everyone comfortable and protected from the sun. Checking the weather forecast, including wind and tide conditions, is also necessary to ensure safe paddling conditions for kids on their own paddleboards.
Final Thoughts
Paddleboarding with your kids can be a wonderful and fulfilling activity for the whole family to enjoy. By choosing the right kids stand up paddle board, you can provide your children with an exciting and safe paddling experience. The Thurso Adept, Nautical Kids, Sea Gods ASR, Gili Cuda, Thurso Prodigy Jr., Bluefin Cruise Jr., Bote Flow Aero, and Honu Arlie are all excellent options to consider. Remember to consider factors such as size, construction, and room for growth when selecting a paddleboard for your child. With the right paddleboard, your kids can develop their paddleboarding skills, build confidence, and create lasting memories on the water.
