Children SUP
The best kids SUP boards presented
SUP Boards »Kids SUP Boards
You want to share your hobby Stand Up Paddling with your kids and are looking for the right board? Your kids also want to try SUP, but with your board, you do not want to take their fun in the beginning? Search forums for days, watch Youtube videos, read customer reviews and reviews but do not want to?
Then you are exactly right here. I’m pretty good with SUP boards and I know what kids like and do not like on a board.
Getting into SUP is very important. Much depends on the board. If it does not work out in the first hour, children will quickly find it stupid. In my guide, you’ll find out quickly and easily what to look for when buying a board.
And much more practical: I’ll give you direct recommendations for the best models.
What does children mean?
In my estimation you can already reach from 1.55 m height and 60 kg body weight to a normal SUP board for your child.
Surfing is probably still too much for your child. But who knows, everyone once started small with the right board.
Is a child SUP necessary? Why Adult SUP Boards are not good for kids
The classic all-round board measures 320 cm x 80 cm x 15 cm. For children, this is simply way too big. The board has so much buoyancy that maneuverability can not be talked about anymore. While we hit our own axis with just a few paddle strikes, children barely manage to do so even if they drill their toes in the back with their toes.
The paddling itself is also difficult for children. The boards at the SUP are all quite wide. As an adult, you do not think about it, because you are paddling from above. For children, it is very difficult to paddle next to the board. The result is that the little ones reach the water only at an angle with the paddle. This is not only inefficient, but the attitude is also quite unnatural.
The ideal kids SUP board
The common manufacturers have recognized the problem and developed smaller, lighter models for children. Meanwhile Fanatic, JP-Australia, RRD, Aqua Marina, Starboard and co have their own kids SUP boards on offer.
The ideal SUP board for kids should fulfill some specific features. First, it should be inexpensive. I do not mean cheap but worth the price. With Kinder SUP Boards the prices are just as different from several hundred to several thousand Euros. Your child certainly does not need a 2000 € high-end carbon racing machine from a top brand. Much more important is the durability. Light weight is another plus as it makes transport easier and makes the board more mobile in the water.
Second, the length of the board is important. A child SUP board is 8 to 9 feet (258 cm to 290 cm) long. It’s just so long that your kid gets the board back to the water and back alone. The short boards are also much easier to maneuver, which is sure to be a lot of fun for your child.
Third, the perfect SUP must provide sufficient tilt stability. The learning of SUP on a lake is not difficult. Your child will have a good feeling for the board after 30 minutes at the latest. If it does not work out in the beginning for too long, it’s frustrating. Therefore, pay attention to tilt-stable boards. So you and your kid keep the fun of the thing.
Below I present what I believe are the best SUP boards for children . Later I go to the best big boards where you can paddle together with your kids Stand Up .
The best SUP boards for kids
The short version: The best boards for kids
- Brast Striker Kids SUP – Top suitable for up to 50 kilograms
- Aqua Marina Vibrant – Top for kids / teens up to 70 kilograms
- BIC Sport Kids SUP – The top quality high-end choice
Brast Striker kids SUP
- Length: 213 cm
- Width: 71 cm
- Thickness: 10 cm
- Accessories: pump, air pump, transport backpack
The Brast Striker is suitable for children weighing up to 50 kilograms. With a 3-fin setup with two lateral and one central fin, the Striker offers very good stability, gives initial errors and is stable in the water.
At the D-rings in front a luggage net is fastened. The rear D-ring is ideal for attaching a leash (a tether). At 5.2 kilograms, the board is unbelievably light and therefore easy to transport, but thanks to double edge reinforcement it is really sturdy.
Conclusion: The model Striker by Brast is a very exciting choice. You get a very solid SUP that comes with a pump and a suitable transport backpack. The incredibly low price is the ideal chance to bring your kids to SUP.
The Striker is my recommendation. In my opinion it is the ideal kids SUP board.
Aqua Marina Vibrant Kids SUP Board
- Length: 266 cm
- Width: 75 cm
- Thickness: 10 cm
- Accessories: high pressure pump, backpack, coil leash, paddle
The board is pretty stable. Thanks to double-layer technology (2-layer construction) and 10 mm thick skin, the board is quite insensitive to stones, dog claws and other sharp things.
The 170 liter Aqua Marina Vibrant is ideal for kids and teens up to 70 kilograms. In the weight of course, the weight for any accessories such as drinking, clothing, life jacket and snacks with a.
Conclusion: With the Vibrant you buy a whole set. Fin, leash, paddle, rucksack and air pump are included in the purchase price in addition to the yellow and black board.
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BIC Sport Kids Stand Up Paddling Board
- Length: 256 cm
- Width: 71 cm
- Thickness: 10 cm
- Accessories: backpack, pump
The BIC Sport is a lightweight and extra stiff board. Ideal it is suitable for children up to 45 kilograms. The board is extremely agile, which is why it is sometimes used as a Wave SUP.
For a secure stand, the SUP is equipped with an EVA deckpad (a non-slip surface).
Conclusion: With BIC Sport you can not go wrong. Top quality for the little ones is guaranteed here. With a maximum load of 45 kilograms, it is suitable for children and less for young people. Priced this SUP but also in a higher league than the other models.
The equipment for children at the SUP
With the board alone, it is not quite done. In any case, you need a suitable Kinder SUP paddle. How do you find this and which accessories are still important, I explain now.
The right paddle for your child
Normal SUP paddles are not a good choice for kids because they can not grab them properly. Children’s paddles must be shorter. With a simple test you can determine the optimal paddle length for children.
The height that your child reaches with an outstretched arm (without tiptoe) is ideal for the Kinder SUP paddle.
If you are not measuring now, it is best to choose a paddle that is 15 to 20 cm larger than your child.
The ideal paddle should be lightweight, small, sturdy and adjustable:
- Easy, because it makes your child paddle easier.
- Klein means an area of the paddle sheet of ideally about 450 to 550 cm². If the paddle blade is larger, paddling in the water becomes too strenuous.
- Adjustable paddles are great in that they can easily grow with the size of your child.
Make sure that the paddle floats as well. Otherwise, the trip is over quickly.
The best kids SUP paddle
Mistral Tamari kids paddle
- Adjustable length: 150 – 190 cm
- Weight: 610 g
- Paddle blade size: 462 cm²
- three-piece, with extra small knob, paddle bag is included in the price
Conclusion: I like the paddle Tamari best. The weight is great. This is achieved by lightweight materials fiberglass and carbon. Another advantage of the material, fiberglass has a more pleasant surface temperature. The shaft and the handle do not feel cold.
The paddle blade of the Tamari is smaller than that of paddles for adults. The resistance of this model is thus lower and children are better off. A paddle bag is available for purchase.
Red paddle SUP paddle for kids
- Adjustable length: 130 – 170 cm
- Weight: 910 g
- three-piece, made of aluminum with nylon blade, floats
Conclusion: Red Paddle is a top company. The paddle is a good choice for kids but I find the weight a bit too high.
jobe freedomstick SUP paddle for kids
- Adjustable length: 131 – 170 cm
- Weight: 780 g
- Paddle blade size: 542 cm²
- three-piece, fiberglass, T-handle
Conclusion: I like the weight, the adjustable length and the size of the paddle blade.
BIC Original AP Kids
- Adjustable length: 150 – 190 cm
- Weight: 880 g
- Paddle blade size: 420 cm²
- aluminum
Conclusion: The BIC paddle is more for older children. Personally, the paddle blade is a little too small, even for a children’s paddle.
Packing list: SUP with children
- Must-have: Kids SUP Board
- Must-have: SUP paddle for kids
- Must-have: life jacket for children
- Must-have: Coiled Leash
- Must-have: sunscreen
- Children’s cap
- Sun glasses with string
A life jacket
With inexperienced swimmers, I always advise to life jackets. In my opinion, children should always wear a life jacket. No matter if well trained and which swimming badge has a child, I would just go for sure.
With the life jacket the wearing comfort is super important, otherwise there is always a theater, if this is to be put on again. With stand up paddling you have to pay attention to enough freedom of movement around the shoulders and arms. If the paddling becomes more strenuous, the vest lands quickly in the corner and is no longer worn.
The buoyancy of a life jacket is given in Newton. With my table you can get an idea for the buoyancy of the matching vest for your child. The value does not have to match and may also be (significantly) below or above it. For example, a 100 Newton lifejacket would be completely oversized and unsuitable for SUP.
To the packing list
Is a leash necessary?
Yes, a leash is necessary in any case.
If it happens involuntarily in the water, you can be sure that your child reaches the board again. Even if your child is a true water rat, the wind, waves, and current can really speed up the board, making it hard to catch even for experienced (adult) swimmers.
The dangers associated with old Leahs are no longer justified today. In the past, the leashs were simple cords that have sometimes been submerged in underwater plants or rocks.
Today there are almost only rolled-up models, which only extend to the full length when dropped into the water. Pay attention to the keyword Coiled or look in my packing list for the right model.
Adults wear their leash either at the ankle or under the knee. For children’s legs, most models do not strap tight enough. If the leash slides over the ankle, it may fit around the thigh or you can tie it to the life jacket.
To the packing list
Clothes and sunscreen
The clothing of the SUP depends entirely on the season and the water. Swimsuits are certainly enough in summer. Be sure to watch sunscreen with your child. The sun is really strong on the water. I recommend cream with SPF 50+.
If the weather is colder or the weather cooler, offers thicker sports clothing. With the life jacket around a Neprenanzug is in most cases probably too warm. If at all, neoprene suits with a maximum of 3 mm come into question. When choosing the top you should pay attention to sufficient freedom of movement in the arm and shoulder area.
The feet are neuralgic points in stand-up paddling in cold water. Neoprene shoes, neoprene socks, SUP socks or waterproof and absolutely non-slip trekking, sailing or sports shoes are ideal.
In winter, nothing should be saved. A cap, neoprene shoes and gloves are a must. Then a (semi-) drysuit or a wetsuit (with crica 7 mm thickness) is recommended.
To the packing list
The cheap alternative: new fin instead of new board
Another approach is to better tailor a normal SUP board (for adults) to children. With the right fin for your SUP this can succeed. Finns do not have the potential to completely change the driving characteristics. But with the right fin you can trim your board in a certain direction.
For children, the clumsiness of the big all-rounder is the biggest problem. With a small fin, which is designed especially for maneuverability, you can make a (at best, short) all-round board also agile and joyful.
There are short dolphin fins like this model (US-Box) or this fin (plug-in system). You will have the best result with the ultrashort, very modern (and unfortunately also somewhat expensive) race fins for the US-Box . These offer the best maneuverability.
The best boards for SUP with children on board
If you want to stand on a board with your child, you need a lift model. Below you will find my recommendations for it.
If you want to paddle with your kids on the same board, you need a really big board that has a high buoyancy.
The best boards for this purpose are the Bluefin Cruiser , the iRocker 11 ft and the Skinfox Turtle . All of these boards can easily carry you and one or two kids.
Alternatively, you can look around for Yoga SUP boards, these are often a bit wider, carry a lot of weight and are very stable in the water. All around, these are ideal boards for SUP with kids.
Conclusion
Kids as well as Stand Up Paddling as a hobby eat both time. So why not combine both? Clever what?
You have more time for Stand Up Paddling and more for the family. Many sports and hobbies are only on paper, but SUP really does.
And with the appropriate SUP board you can certainly inspire your daughter or your son. After you have made a pre-selection on boards, you can also bring your children into the decision regarding the design. A cool to have Board, in my experience, very important for children.
Can you not decide on a model at all, I recommend the Brast Striker . The board is inexpensive, sturdily built, has a chic design and is versatile. What else do you want there?