Editors Choice

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ISLE Pioneer iSUP

Best Value

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Funwater Tiki

Best Lightweight

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ROC iSUP

Top 5 Paddle Boards for Lakes Under Review

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  • Ten Toes WEEKENDER
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Review

ISLE Pioneer iSUP – (EDITORS CHOICE)

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Established in 2004, Isle are a California based company with a reputation for quality paddle boards. They’re so confident about their boards that you can ride it for upto 60 days and return it if not satisfied.

The Pioneer offers a good amount of surface area with its rounded design and 34 inch width. This design is perfect for leisurely lake paddling as it provides great stability and a carrying capacity of 300lbs. This makes the Pioneer perfect for adding your dog or child to the passenger list.

The Pioneer has proven to be one of Isle’s most popular boards due to its price point and all round versatility. While the Pioneer is not the cheapest board on the market, it’s also not the most expensive, and definitely offers great value for money with its assurance of build quality and classy styling.

Also, if you’re into yoga or fishing from your SUP, this board is one of the widest in its class providing more deck space for kit and body movement. Some handy velcro straps are  a well thought out addition to the side rail of the board for attaching your paddle.

Things we like:

  • Stable
  • Durable
  • Versatile
  • 34in width
  • All round build quality
  • Paddle straps
  • Carbon Paddle
  • Front & rear bungee systems

Things we don’t:

  • Single cylinder pump

Specifications

Size10ft 6in x 34in x 6in
Weight24lbs
Maximum Load Capacity300lbs
Ideal forBeginner – intermediate
Package includesPaddle board, backpack, 3-piece paddle, pump, leash, fin
ColoursBlue, coral, green

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Funwater Tiki iSUP – (Best Value SUP for Lakes)

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The Funwater Tiki iSUP is such incredible value for money and a paddle board that’s well suited for lakes and calm waters.

Lightweight and affordable, the Tiki is perfect for the entry level paddler as it’s a fairly versatile board that won’t break the bank. 

At thirty three inches wide this paddle board offers a good amount of stability which is great for relaxed lake paddling. It’s also got a good load capacity at 330lbs.

At the budget end of the market, you can’t expect carbon paddles and double cylinder pumps but what you can expect is a decent paddle board that does the job and gets you out onto the water if budget is your main concern.

Things we like:

  • Incredible value
  • Stable
  • Lightweight

Things we don’t:

  • Non floating paddle
  • Single cylinder pump
  • Not as refined as others in higher price bracket

Specifications

Size10ft 6in x 33in x 6in
Weight17.6lbs
Maximum Load Capacity330lbs
Ideal forBeginner – budget conscious
Package includesPaddle board, backpack, 3-piece paddle, pump, leash, fins, phone pouch
ColoursBlue & pink

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ROC iSUP – (Best Lightweight SUP for Lakes)

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The ROC is a market-leading 17.5lbs, making it extremely portable. You’ll be really grateful of this if you have to carry the backpack or board any distance.

Even though there is not much difference in weight between the ROC and the Funwater Tiki, the two boards have very different shapes. The ROC has a more rounded shape which a lot of leisurely lake paddlers prefer, offering a good surface area.

Things we like:

  • Lightweight
  • Good value
  • Front bungee system

Things we don’t:

  • Non floating paddle
  • Single cylinder pump

Specifications

Size10ft 6in x 33in x 6in
Weight17.6lbs
Maximum Load Capacity275lbs
Ideal forBeginner – intermediate
Package includesPaddle board, backpack, 3-piece paddle, pump, leash, fins, phone pouch
ColoursBlue & pink

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Just take a look at the Weekender and one of the first words to come to mind is comfort. The board was practically built to deliver it in spades. A favorite among cruisers and leisure paddlers, this 10-foot long paddle board can call any calm body of water its home, but really excels on lakes. While it does have a bit of difficulty handling the chop and waves of the open ocean, its rider has nothing to be worried about in the confines of a lake.

Lakes do occasionally exhibit rough waters, especially in the presence of high winds, but the Weekender’s wide body ensures that the rider remains on the board and its rounded nose means that it will ride over small waves and won’t errantly plow through them. The stability and real estate afforded by the wide body means that a rider can take on a passenger whether they be of the human or furry variety.

Furthermore, unlike other boards with removable fins, this board can be alleviated of all 3 of its fins, making it one of the most packable and carry-able inflatable boards on the market. Removing all 3 fins not only makes it a breeze to pack, but it also means that fins won’t be digging into the person’s back when carrying it out. Like most cruisers, this board won’t turn on a dime, nor would it be the top choice to run a race with.

Things we like:

  • 3 removable fins make this an absolute joy to pack and carry
  • good, relaxed cruising

Things we don’t:

  • medium to large waves may cause issue
  • not ideal for races or technical paddling

Specifications

Size10ft x 30in x 6in
Weight17lbs
Maximum Load Capacity275lbs
Ideal forEveryone
Package includesPaddle board, backpack, 3-piece paddle, pump, leash, fins, phone pouch, repair kit
ColoursOrange & Powder Blue, Seafoam Gradient


Read Buyer Feedback >>


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When it comes to the Pau Hana’s Oahu paddle board, the real issue will be deciding on whether to ride it or to keep it hanging on the wall. Its trademark Polynesian tribal art looks fantastic, but so too is the boards performance on the water. The smooth ride of this 10-foot long, 32-inch wide board is thanks in part to its spooned-out nose.

Dubbed a noserider, the boards exaggerated upward nose curve helps it overcome chop in the water, which can include sizeable waves. The amount of surface in contact with the water is also reduced, which means less drag and resistance. The nose’s profile also means that it is virtually impossible for the board to plough its front end into the water, which would usually result in the rider being catapulted into the water.

Even though it is under 11-feet in length, the Oahu is remarkably stable. Yes, the fact that it is a noserider has something to do with it, but its backend and solid design is what solidified it as a great lake paddle board. While some boards start out wide and taper near the tail, this board is wide throughout. The widened tail is complimented by 5 fins (in which the long middle fin is removeable). Rounding out the ride quality are full rails.

Its wide body is great for practicing yoga but the lack of ties or webbing may make it difficult to fish from. The limitations of Pau Hana’s Oahu comes from its lack of a keel, which means that the rider will have a particularly difficult time when they encounter rougher water, but also when out on the waters for long period of time.

Things we like:

  • amazing and attractive graphic design
  • good all-around paddle board
  • spooned-out nose, wide tail and full rails make it highly stable

Things we don’t:

  • a keel or improved hydrodynamics is needed if more speed is required

Specifications

Size10ft x 32in x 4.25in
Weight29lbs
Maximum Load Capacity263lbs
Ideal forEveryone
Package includesPaddle board, fins
Colours1 beautiful pattern

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Choosing your Paddle Board for Lakes

Even though paddle boarding originated in the tropical waters surrounding Hawaii, it is enjoyed by people from all around the world. This includes riders and paddlers from deep inland parts of countries. These individuals use paddle boards to explore and enjoy the rivers and lakes that are available to them.

Lakes are of special interest to inland paddlers due to their size, which depending on the lake, can be as big and as moody as the open ocean. Conversely, they can also be placid, glass-like and an absolute joy to ride in. Needless to say, the technical requirements of a paddle board being used on lakes is far less than one say being used in whitewater rivers or the deep ocean.

But, they still need to be stable, sizeable and rideable regardless of the specific paddle boarding activity. To that end, these five paddle boards have many benefits, have been rounded up and represent some of the best ways to explore lake waters.

Value

Those who have never been out on lake waters don’t know that there are many sides to a lake. There is the mirror-surfaced, tranquil lake that looks like it was lifted straight out of a painting. But, when the wind starts blowing and the water starts churning, the same waters can remind someone of the choppy seas of the open Pacific.

While the board required to enjoy such a ride may not need to be as technical or high performance as say an open ocean touring board, it still needs to be stable, manoeuvrable, easy to use and due to the various activities a vast lake can offer, it needs to be fairly versatile in its function.

Stability

Lake paddling is usually a casual affair and unless they are training or competing in an event, most lake water paddling is relaxed and meandering. Since technical riding is not high on the lake paddlers priority list, the focus of lake bound paddle boards should surround stability. Its ability to keep the rider upright and enjoying hours of riding is certainly something that should be kept in mind.

Stability is often dictated by a combination of factors, but with the case of lake paddle boards it generally boils down to size. These boards are generally longer and wider (good for beginners), which gives a greater amount of contact with the water surface. This means that the board is more buoyant and acts more like a moveable platform. In contrast, wide boards would be battered about by the turbulent waves of rough rivers and open ocean.

Ease of Use

A day out on the lake is supposed to be fun and relaxed, so the last thing a rider wants to be doing is spend time fussing around with their board when all they want to do is get out on the water.

Paddle boards headed for the lake should be single piece or quick to put together, they should be worry and hassle free, so that riders can get as much paddling time in as possible.

Versatility

There are several reasons to go paddle boarding on a lake. Yes, paddling by themselves or with friends is a solid reason to be out on the lake water in and of itself, but there are other activities that paddle boarders enjoy, such as racing, sup yoga and fishing.

While paddle boards do exist to meet the needs of these specific activities, it would be nice to own a single board that lets a rider enjoy all of these experiences.

Conclusion

Lake paddle boards can be easily overlooked as more high performance, open ocean touring boards often draw the attention of many paddlers. However, as more and more fun, activities and paddling attract the masses, they need greater variety of boards to ride on.

These boards are not about being able to make quick turns, slice through oceanic waves or race for miles, they are about cruising, leisure, relaxing, exercising and fishing. Lake paddle boards are about being hassle-free and getting out on the water as soon as possible and for as long as possible.

This is why ISLE Pioneer finds itself at the top of this list. This paddle board is ideal for lakes. The design and shape, 34in width and general build quality ensure a stable and smooth ride.

Sure, it may not be the best thing to fish from, but practicing yoga is almost a recommendation. Lake boards like the Pioneer shouldn’t be overlooked, but embraced. Many of them were built with rivers and oceans in mind, but they’re very at home in the peace and tranquility of inland lakes.

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