Can anybody give me some advice about the performance for surfing of an inflatable SUP board as compared to a hard board? My only real interest in SUPing is surfing (learning to). I live far from the ocean in Canada and can SUP surf only while on vacation, which requires a plane trip to the tropics. An inflatable would be just the ticket, if it actually works. Plus the rental fees can add up. I know this depends on the make and model. An inflatable such as the Starboard Whopper would suit my weight, at least. It is also available as a hard board. If someone were to say the inflatable board has, say, 80% of the performance for surfing as the hard board I'd say good enough and get one. If 40%, probably not. I'm pretty much a beginner at surfing, but catching on.

I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks.

The problem with inflatables on a wave is the rails at the rear, just no shape so you need to rely on the fins to hold the wave face. The fins supplied with inflatables aren't the best usually so don't add to the experience much. I did see a board made with an inflatable front section and solid rear, would probably work ok at the front of the board isn't used much on a wave in regards to turning. It didnt fold up as small as a normal inflatable but would make travel easier, here it is pendleboard.com/en/home/
I have an inflatable starboard 12'6" (among other boards) which I tried in the surf once, only once. Going down a wave on an inflatable mattress was bloody scary. I would really suggest you try both and make your own decision if the pro's of an inflatable in regards to travel outweigh the con's of use in the surf.

Bearing in mind that I have a huge prejudice against inflatable SUF boards.... hate them with a passion and would surf a lump of driftwood rather than use one of those things ever again...but I rate the performance at 50 percent... maybe 60 percent being generous. I can see your dilemma though... but really would go for the real thing when I could.... no matter how much hassle.

I quite liked the last inflatable I test rode, but I would rate it 40-60% of a rigid board at best.

I have tried the 12'6" boards. You might get a better result using a shorter more surf oriented board. I notice that Naish describe their inflatables as Crossover and ad "small waves" on the Nalu. That's a bit of a giveaway.

Uli have a number of surf specific boards and describe one as

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...it’s a fast surfing board. It fills the gap below the FAQ, more manueverable than the other boards and the best choice for small people as a surfing board. Turns on a dime and fly’s down the line! ...

http://www.uliboards.com.au/product/84-mini-quad

I think Uli are blinded by their enthusiasm for their product.

You could look at it as a challenge and just go SUP surfing on an inflatable and get good at it and treat it as your own personal style. There's lots of instances of people doing amazing things on inappropriate equipment. eg. George Greenough getting barreled on a surf mat.

The other thing is, the only way to get good at surfing is to .... surf. Lots. Just going to the coast for your annual holidays is more likely to be expensive and frustrating. What you need to do is identify a local body of water that you can SUP on, then go SUP on that. I believe there are lots of Canadians who surf whitewater on rivers. When you get to the surf you'll be way ahead of the game.

I'm sure there's a market for them, but, over the world, there are shapers, from big brand to garage shapers.
They all do there stinking best, to create the best board, for surfing, downwind, race or whatever.
Ask yourself, do they look the same, are they as flexi as a inflatable, rails fins etc.
So, there it is, there is no way, it would work as good.

Same as with girlfriends, the real ones compared to the inflatable ones, well..........you know

(They just told me offcourse)

This is all fantastic advice. Thank you all very much. I've made up my mind to stick with a hard board, and eat the rental fees in the tropics. I just got back from Waikiki where I was renting on the beach for $35 for two hours, and I'd some days have the energy to do two rentals. The Chief Financial Officer was not impressed when she found out I was spending $70/day on some days. Next trip is Costa Rica where the SUP rental looks to be around $30/day which is far more doable.

Thanks for the tip about the Pendle boards. I'll have to give that some thought.

Thanks again. Loved Flowmaster's remark about inflatable vs real. That too probably depends a lot on the make and model and other characteristics, but a whole new forum would be needed for that. Come to think about it, there probably is one or many.

I think it might depend on the spot where you are going to surf.

You have to ask yourself why there are no inflatible surf boards for surfers.......Just a thought

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PrairiewannaB said..
This is all fantastic advice. Thank you all very much. I've made up my mind to stick with a hard board, and eat the rental fees in the tropics. I just got back from Waikiki where I was renting on the beach for $35 for two hours, and I'd some days have the energy to do two rentals. The Chief Financial Officer was not impressed when she found out I was spending $70/day on some days. Next trip is Costa Rica where the SUP rental looks to be around $30/day which is far more doable.

Thanks for the tip about the Pendle boards. I'll have to give that some thought.

Thanks again. Loved Flowmaster's remark about inflatable vs real. That too probably depends a lot on the make and model and other characteristics, but a whole new forum would be needed for that. Come to think about it, there probably is one or many.

Tell your CFO that you could be down at some bar for a few hours, racking up $100 or more per day. Really... $70 is money spent on healthy (mental and physical) well being. And now.. Costa Rica will be as cheap as chips!

That Pendle board sounds interesting.