Best Kids Paddle Board

Paddleboarding is a great pastime for kids and adults alike. Thankfully, in recent years, a lot of manufacturers started creating models specifically for younger audiences. That’s why now we can find many kids paddle board & youth paddleboard models. It’s important to understand how you can narrow down the ideal paddleboard for your child. This is why we created a guide on how to pick a proper SUP for your child. You can also find a few models that I think might be a good fit for your kid.  

What To Know Before Buying An Inflatable SUP For Kids And Teens?

A SUP for kids needs to be versatile, but also very durable and safe to use as well. I also think that assessing the properties and benefits of every product can help quite a bit. It’s going to take a bit of trial and error since every kid has their preference too. Here are the things I think are essential to consider when choosing a SUP for children.

Choose a board that has an unbreakable fin system

The reason for that is this type of system is easier to work with for kids, and you don’t have to worry about replacing fins. Kids always tend to use the SUP more than adults, so you want a product that withstands quite a bit of abuse. A paddleboard with fixed fins is certainly the easiest and safest to handle. 

Is a solid or inflatable SUP better for kids?

That depends on your child, mostly. If you know that your child is careless with their board, then an inflatable one might be a little better. Solid SUPs are great for a good fit, stability and performance. However, an inflatable is more suitable if you have little to no storage space, if you are traveling with your kids and if you’re hiking to the destination. For recreational and casual paddlers, we practically always recommend buying an inflatable SUP.

Weight capacity

This one is easy to narrow down. Identify the current weight of your child and add in extra pounds too. You want to account for your kid growing in the next few years. Also, check the paddleboard volume. This shows the ability of the board to float when it has weight on it. You want a higher volume since it means the board supports more weight. 

What is the best length when you buy a SUP for kids?

I would recommend shortboards for kids, these are around 8’ or up to 10’ long. Medium size boards are for SUP yoga and all-around use, but they are too large for kids. A board that is too long will make it difficult for a child to ride, due to the lack of weight and strength, it will be difficult to maneuver. This is why a medium-sized unit is always the better option. 

Ideal SUP width for kids

Generally, the SUP width can be anywhere from 25” to 36“ inches. 26-30 inch models are better for kids since they are easier to maneuver. After all, the wider the board is, the more stable it is in the water. With the lower weight and body size, a children’s SUP does not have to be exactly the same width as for an adult person. Too wide can also be a disadvantage, because the child can no longer dip the paddle vertically into the water. Regarding its thickness, you can reach for something slightly thinner than for an adult. Kids don’t have a lot of weight, so a thin board delivers better performance. 

Do you need any accessories?

It all depends on your child. I think that having accessories can be really helpful since it makes the entire experience better. You want to look for a board that has attachment points and bungee straps. An extra paddle can also be very helpful. Also, look for a model that has a leash and its own protective case or transportation system. While not mandatory, I think all these accessories are a great purchase. 

Safety disclaimer

A stand-up paddleboard can be dangerous for kids, so use it at your own risk. You want to make sure that your child receives proper training before going on the water with the SUP. Good safety equipment such as life jackets and leashes should always be worn. The supervision of an adult person should also be self-evident.

Best 5 Kids SUP

Bluefin SUP Cruise Junior 8’

The Bluefin SUP Cruise Junior 8’ is a product designed specifically for kids, and it has a kayak seat as well as a 2 in 1 kayak paddle. Included with the package you have a repair kit, a waterproof phone case, a backpack, a double-action pump, and a coil leash. This is a very stable board, fast as well. It’s around 10 kg  (22 lbs), so kids can easily carry it around with their backpacks. 

Moreover, it comes with a 5-year warranty for the product and a 1-year warranty for the accessories. The 5.1” (13 cm) thickness and 29” (74 cm) width make it ideal for kids and also easy to maneuver. I think this is a great board for any child under 14 years old. Anything over that surpasses the weight limit, which I found to be around 70 kg. Overall, I think it can be a solid pick, especially if you want a mid-range SUP for kids. 

Thurso Surf Prodigy 7’6”

This 7’6” (22 cm) board is designed specifically with the younger paddleboarders in mind. It has a carbon shaft paddle that’s light, yet very easy to use for kids. At 8.6 kg (19 lbs), this is a very light unit, and it’s also just 4” (10 cm) thick. The rider capacity is 165 lbs, so it’s clearly suitable only for kids. The manufacturer added 2 + 1 removable fins with a quick-lock system. Additionally, the construction is using a triple layer coating of PVC as well as a drop stitch core. 

I would recommend this for large, still open bodies of water. It can also be ok for small waves near the shore. While it can tackle ocean paddling and surfing, you want to avoid that until your child has enough experience. It’s very stable, and the Thurso Surf construction makes it very durable. Its shape might take a bit of getting used to for kids. Yet, they usually have no problem getting used to it and getting the utmost performance out of it. 

Retrospec Weekender Nano

The Retrospec Weekender Nano is an 8’ paddleboard created with adventuring in mind. You receive a complete kit, and you can choose from 2 colors, starfish and marine blue. At 30” (76 cm) in width, it’s quite wide, however, it’s only 4” (10 cm) thick, so it will be hard to use for kids over 14-15 years old. The manufacturer has integrated a triple fin setup that makes it easy for kids to improve stability and speed.

Additionally, the board inflates quickly, and the included pump can offer good performance for a very long time. You can inflate it up to 15 PSI if you want. The included paddle is made out of aluminum, not fiberglass or carbon. That can be a downside for kids since aluminum weighs more, but for the first attempts and to play in the water it is enough in any case. Within the pack, you can also find a PVC patch and a repair kit, just in case there are any issues with the unit.  

Decathlon Itiwit X100 10’

Decathlon is a company known for its sports products and accessories. The X100 10′ is not explicitly a SUP for kids but generally a board for lighter paddlers, and it offers support for up to 175 lbs. On top of that, it’s 5” (12.7 cm) thick and 32” (81 cm) wide. It adds to the overall stability of the product, although I think it also makes the unit for smaller paddlers a bit harder to use. At 9 kg (19.8 lbs), it’s easy to transport, and you can put it in a backpack. The compact design is important for kids, and the product can easily inflate in just 5 minutes. 

The Decathlon Itiwit X100 10’ has a PVC construction and glued drop stitch that’s impact resistant. Additionally, it comes with good damage resistance. There’s no pump in the package, though, so that clearly becomes an issue. 

Aqua Marina Vibrant

The Aqua Marina Vibrant is a SUP for children. With 5.6 kg (12.3 lbs), it is extremely light and suitable for kids specifically. The drop-stitch construction makes it durable, and the product itself has a maximum recommended weight of 60 kg (154 lbs). With that being said, you receive a carrying bag, and the kit also has its own pump that you can use to inflate the unit very quickly.

Additionally, the Aqua Marina Vibrant also has a stainless steel D ring for the safety leash. It only has a single fin, which can end up making it a bit harder to maneuver. With that being said, the kit is complete, and the entire set is very reliable.

Conclusion

All these SUPs are great models that you can start using right away. But you have to wonder, which is the better option out of all 5? Based on my experience and how the review units performed, I think that the Bluefin SUP Cruise Junior 8’ is a clear winner. It comes as a complete package, it’s not very large, so kids can maneuver it with ease. It’s also portable, versatile, and dependable. While all of them can be a great pick if you want a SUP for kids, I think that the Bluefin SUP Cruise Junior 8’ is the best option!