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Water-based activities are just fun, right? There’s canoeing, kayaking, water skiing, white water rafting… the list goes on. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or more of a mellow adventurer, paddle boarding might be your next favourite thing. And to do that, you’ll need a good paddleboard.
There are all kinds of paddleboards out there. There are hard boards and inflatable boards, tandem boards and kid boards…so much variety! And they can be used for more than just stand-up paddleboarding. You can use them to do yoga, sunbathe, race, tour new areas, fish, and more. Honestly, who wouldn’t want a paddleboard?
If you think paddle boards are really cool, we’d love to help you choose one. Maybe you’ve owned one before and are looking for a replacement, or maybe this will be your first one. Either way, there’s a lot to keep in mind. Things like price, size, type (hard vs. inflatable), colour/design, included accessories, and weight should all play into your decision-making process.
This comprehensive guide will investigate the best paddle boards in Canada right now and outline the criteria you should consider while making your purchase decision. Let’s dive right into our top five products.
All-Around Pick: SereneLife Premium Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board
Premium Pick: The Wild Tribe Sequoia 11 Premium Inflatable Paddle Board
Yoga Pick: IRocker Nautical GO Ten-SIX Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board
Budget Pick: Aqua Plus Inflatable SUP
Kids Pick: Tuxedo Sailor Premium Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board
We are big fans of the SereneLife Premium Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board. Its performance capabilities jumped out at us right away, so we’ll start there. This board has three fins on the bottom instead of just one, so it’s a lot easier to steer and navigate around obstacles. It’s also incredibly stable, so you can feel confident using it for any type of water-based activity you can dream up.
An adjustable paddle, carry bag, pump, ankle strap, and repair kit are all included with the board—say goodbye to extra purchases! It has several D-rings to accommodate extra accessories, and it has bungee gear storage at the nose to secure your belongings. Nice touch, right? As one of the lightest inflatable boards around, this is a great option for people who have longer walks to the water.
The only low point we can see with this board is the low weight capacity—most full-size paddle boards can accommodate at least 300 pounds, and that’s much better for supporting a full range of body types and sizes along with their gear, pets, and/or small children. So just make sure you pay attention to how much weight you’re putting on the board.
Reviewers have nothing but good things to say about the SereneLife Premium Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board. People weighing less than 120 pounds and people weighing more than 240 pounds have all felt really stable on this board and found it comfortable while standing or kneeling/sitting for long periods. The paddle is adjustable enough for everybody, and they all love the way it moves on the water.
Dimensions: 10’6” x 32” x 6”
Weight: 19.6 lbs
Weight Capacity: 275 lbs
Type: Inflatable
Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
Three bottom fins make this board incredibly stable and maneuverable
One of the lightest inflatables around
Has bungee storage at the nose and extra D-rings around the non-slip pad
Comes with a paddle, travel bag, pump, repair kit, and ankle strap
Cons:
Low weight capacity for a full-size board
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall, the SereneLife Premium Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board is a great option. It’s incredibly well-rounded, it’s priced very reasonably, and it’ll perform well in any conditions. No matter what you want a paddle board for, this one will help you make the most of every second on the water.
We are very happy over here admiring the The Wild Tribe Sequoia 11 Premium Inflatable Paddle Board. Want to join us? One of its standout features is its performance on water. With a thinner design and a three-fin design, this board can glide smoother and faster on water without losing any of its stability. You can use it for a wider range of water-based activities as a result.
It comes with all of the accessories you’ll need (paddle, pump, repair kit, etc.) and is compatible with extras like seats thanks to the extra D-rings hanging around. We really love that there is cargo storage at the tail end and the nose end because it means you don’t need to leave anything behind. Not even your pets! This board is safe for pets as heavy as 75 pounds. You really can’t beat that.
After days of testing in various places, we’re super happy to report that this paddle board is basically flawless—we have nothing negative to say about it at all. The only warning we want to give you is to be aware of the high price tag before you fall in love and then realize it’s out of your budget. But truly, this board is worth the extra investment.
Reviewers are very pleased with the The Wild Tribe Sequoia 11 Premium Inflatable Paddle Board. The high weight capacity means they can paddle with a partner or with a pet, and it moves a lot better on the water than paddle boards they’ve used in the past. They’ve actually noticed it feels more like a solid board than an inflatable one, and they’re pretty happy with that.
Dimensions: 11’ x 33” x 4.75”
Weight: 22 lbs
Weight Capacity: 350 lbs
Type: Inflatable
Warranty: 3 years
Pros:
Thinner board with three-fin design glides better on water, can reach faster speeds, and is more stable
Comes with an air pump, travel backpack, ankle strap, repair kit, and paddle
Safe for pets as heavy as 75 lbs
Has bungee cargo storage at the nose and tail, plus extra D-rings for optional accessories like seats
Cons:
Pricier than most inflatable paddle boards
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
All in all, The Wild Tribe Sequoia 11 is one of the absolute best paddle boards money can buy. It offers incredible stability without compromising on speedy performance, and it comes fully loaded with accessories.
The IRocker Nautical GO Ten-SIX Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board is our favourite choice for the more mellow water adventurers out there. This is mostly because it’s one of the most stable paddle boards money can buy. It has a large and effective grip pad along the center of the board to keep your feet (and other body parts) steady, and it’s incredibly well-balanced on the water thanks to the twin fin design.
With the purchase of this paddle board, you’ll also receive the two removable fins and the ankle leash you need to keep the board from floating away if you fall off. We also really like the bungee cargo system—you’ll be able to bring all of your gear with you, and it won’t fall off. Even if you do.
There are a couple of things we don’t super love about this option. First of all, the weight capacity is pretty low at only 275 pounds. As a result, you’ll need to pay closer attention to the total weight of you, your gear, and any pets or small children you’d like to bring onboard. Also, this board only comes with fins and an ankle strap. You’ll need to buy all of your other accessories separately.
Reviewers are very impressed with the IRocker Nautical GO Ten-SIX Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board. They’ve used it a lot for yoga, leisurely paddles, and sunbathing. They all feel very safe while they’re sitting or standing (or posing) on it, and the cargo storage means they can bring lunch and their valuables to spend the entire day on the water. In their eyes, there are no cons to this one.
Dimensions: 10’ x 33” x 6”
Weight: 20 lbs
Weight Capacity: 275 lbs
Type: Inflatable
Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
Comes with an ankle strap and removable fins
Very steady on the water thanks to twin fin setup
Has a large non-slip pad
Cargo storage area lets you bring all of your gear with you
Cons:
Very limited accessories kit—things will need to be purchased separately
Low weight capacity for a full-size board
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4.5/5
Overall, the IRocker Nautical GO Ten-SIX Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board is a really great choice if you’re into leisure on the water. This thing is built for steady-state chilling, so it’s perfect for tanning, yoga, and picnics on the water.
We really like the Aqua Plus Inflatable SUP for people shopping on a budget. The price is very reasonable, and you get a lot of quality back for the money you’re putting in. The board itself is super durable, and you’ll also get a full kit of accessories—this includes a pump, dry bag, protective pouch for your phone, adjustable paddle, ankle strap, shoulder strap, repair kit, and travel backpack.
The accessories kit isn’t the only thing decked out, either. The board has some things working in its favour too. The highlights include bungee webbing for gear storage at the nose, an effective non-slip surface, and a removable fin so packing is easy and risk-free.
The only real problem we have with this board is the quality of the paddle. While we appreciate that there’s a paddle included at all, this one just does not meet our standards. The connection site where you attach each piece is weak and usually needs to be reinforced somehow. We recommend you invest in a new one with the money you’re saving on the actual board.
Reviewers are pretty happy with the Aqua Plus Inflatable SUP. A couple of people compared it to more expensive boards owned by their friends, and they didn’t notice much difference. The quality of this one is great, and they have an easy time getting it set up and on the water. The non-slip surface works well, and they even have room to share the board with their small-medium dogs.
Dimensions: 11’ x 33” x 6”
Weight: 20.3 lbs
Weight Capacity: 350 lbs
Type: Inflatable
Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
Has bungee webbing at the nose for gear
Comes with an adjustable paddle, pump, ankle strap, shoulder strap, dry bag for phone, regular dry bag, repair kit, and travel backpack
Removable fin makes packing easy
Has a non-slip deck for safety
Cons:
Paddle is pretty cheap
Performance: 4.5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4.5/5
Overall, the Aqua Plus Inflatable SUP is a really great choice if you want a well-rounded board for a low price. It comes with a full kit of accessories and is super durable. No matter where you’re paddling, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about with this one. And you get to save money! Woohoo.
The Tuxedo Sailor Premium Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board is a really great choice if your kid is excited to get out on the water with you. It’s sized for kids and is available in two wonderful cartoon designs they’re sure to love.
Our favourite feature is probably the EVA non-slip padding—it’s extra sticky to ensure kids feel safe and sturdy and the whole family can focus on having fun. We’re fans of the bungee webbing on the nose, too. Nothing needs to be left on shore! This board comes with almost all of the accessories you’ll need—an adjustable paddle, a dry bag, an ankle strap, a pump, and a travel backpack.
Luckily, we don’t have any red flags to share with you about this one. Just a couple of warnings to give you so you’re prepared. This board doesn’t come with a repair kit, so you might want to invest in one if you aren’t sure how to care for it properly. Also, this board will need some extra time to dry in the sun before you pack it away, so plan your paddleboarding days accordingly!
Reviewers have good things to say about the Tuxedo Sailor Premium Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board. Their kids can carry the board by themselves, which they really enjoy, and it’s really stable out on the water. The non-slip surface is also effective, so parents don’t worry much about their kids slipping off of the board.
Dimensions: 7’8” x 30” x 4”
Weight: 24.6 lbs
Weight Capacity: 170 lbs
Type: Inflatable
Warranty: 3 years on board, 1 year on accessories
Pros:
Comes with a pump, strap, 10L dry bag, travel backpack, and adjustable paddle
Comes in two adorable cartoon designs
EVA anti-slip pads keep kids very sturdy
Has bungee webbing at the nose for onboard storage
Cons:
Doesn’t come with a repair kit
Needs extra time in the sun to dry fully
Performance: 4.5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4.5/5
All in all, the Tuxedo Sailor Premium Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board is the best option out there for kids. It comes in two adorable designs and is small enough for kids to manage by themselves. Plus, it comes with all of the accessories they’ll need to get on the water right away.
Paddleboards can cost less than $150, but they can also cost more than $1,000. It depends on what type of board you’re looking at. Larger boards will be more expensive than smaller ones, and hard boards will typically be more expensive than inflatables. You’ll want to check out the included accessories to get a true idea of the overall value, though.
The weight capacity of a full-size paddle board will usually be 300 pounds or higher, but some are as low as 275 pounds…make sure you pay attention to this before you buy, especially if you’ll want to bring a ton of gear or a small pet/child along with you. Kids boards will usually have a weight capacity between 150 and 200 pounds, so they’ll be really stable.
The dimensions of a paddle board will affect how well it suits your body type and how it performs on the water. Larger boards will be more stable, and smaller boards will be faster and more maneuverable.
Every paddle board will come with accessories of some sort, but not every kit is created equal. Some paddle boards will only come with their removable fins and the much-needed ankle strap for safety. Other paddle board kits will include things like a paddle, a repair kit, a travel bag, an air pump, a dry bag, etc.
Paddle boards can be made of solid materials or they can be inflatable. Hard boards are trickier to travel with and are heavier, but they’re also more durable and offer better performance on the water. Inflatable paddle boards are much more portable and are typically less expensive.
A paddle board will typically have either one or three fins on the bottom. A single fin is more common, but a triple-fin design will be more stable and glide smoother.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.