Family Fun & Summer Races: Picking the Best Boards for AU and Hawaii
I’ve been paddling for 20 years. I’ve seen families struggle at local beach races in Australia and Hawaii because they brought the wrong boards. If you want to enjoy a community race or a beach festival, you need gear that is light enough to carry and stable enough for the chop.
When you're looking at isup vs sup, an inflatable is the best choice for family road trips. They are easy to pack, but don't buy a "toy" board. A real blow up sup should handle high pressure so it feels like a hard board when you're racing your mates to the buoy.
The Junior Race Choice: Kids & Teens SUP
Don't force your kid to race on an oversized adult board. They’ll be fighting the wind instead of the other racers. For events at the Gold Coast or Waikiki, a board scaled for their height makes all the difference.
The WERSIY Kids & Teens Inflatable SUP (245cm) is better for beginners because the 76cm width ensures they stay upright even when other racers create wakes. It’s light enough for them to handle on their own, which is a massive boost for their confidence.
The WERSIY Kids & Teens Inflatable SUP Series is entry-level water gear for 4-16 year olds, available in vibrant colorways like "Alpine White" and "Alpine Mist Green", making it a perfect parent-child water essential for popular destinations such as Australia’s Gold Coast and Hawaii’s Waikiki Beach. Crafted from 0.9mm thick drop-stitch PVC, the 5.5kg lightweight design is easy for families to carry, while its puncture-resistant feature handles bumps in shallow beach areas effortlessly. The 76cm wide board + 70% coverage non-slip EVA deck pad ensures kids stand steadily in the calm bays of Gold Coast or the gentle surf zones of Waikiki, significantly reducing slipping risks. The 245×76×15cm golden size fits heights 120-170cm with a 100kg max load, supporting parent-child co-riding—whether exploring shallow-water creatures at Burleigh Heads Beach on Gold Coast or playing in the clear waters of Hanauma Bay in Hawaii, you can safely enjoy interactive moments. Accessories include a 1.2m telescoping mini aluminum paddle, a fast air pump (inflation in ≤5 minutes), a cartoon fin and an A4 storage bag. Foldable to fit easily in luggage, it’s ideal for family road trips along Australia’s East Coast, Hawaiian island vacations and other itineraries. It’s the top choice for safe and fun kids’ water initiation, and a must-have gear for parent-child check-ins at popular beaches.
The Adult Performance Pick: 6kg Lightweight All-Round
If you're entering a fun race at Noosa or Sunset Beach, you don't want to be dragging a heavy board across the sand. Speed starts with weight. A lighter board accelerates faster and is easier to turn around race markers.
The 6kg WERSIY Lightweight All-Round Inflatable SUP is better for starters because it combines 15PSI rigidity with an ultra-light build. It’s also stable enough for a yoga paddle board session after the race to cool down your muscles.
The WERSIY Lightweight All-Round Series focuses on "lightweight + multi-scenario adaptation", featuring trendy colorways like "Firefly" and "Explorer". With an ultra-lightweight 6kg design (30% lighter than regular SUPs), it’s the ideal gear for checking in at Australia’s Byron Bay and Hawaii’s North Shore Beaches. Made of 0.8mm high-elastic drop-stitch PVC, it maintains 15PSI inflation hardness to ensure gliding stability—even in the gentle waves of Byron Bay or the coastal waters of Oahu, Hawaii, it can keep a steady posture. The classic 300×81×15cm size with an 81cm width is suitable for beginners, and the 120kg max load supports solo gliding, tandem riding or carrying camping gear. Whether enjoying a peaceful paddle at Tallebudgera Creek in Byron Bay or chasing sunset views at Sunset Beach in Hawaii, it adapts effortlessly. Accessories include a 1.8-2.2m telescoping foldable carbon fiber paddle, a dual-action air pump (fast inflation in 6 minutes), a quick-release center fin and a backpack-style storage bag. Foldable to fit in a backpack, it’s convenient for hiking to Australia’s Noosa Heads Beach or Hawaii’s Lanikai Beach. Suitable for scenarios like urban lake gliding, coastal exploration and lightweight camping, it’s also a must-have for exploring niche beaches in Australia and island-wide water roaming in Hawaii. Balancing portability and performance, it lets you easily unlock the unique charm of popular beaches and hidden coves.
Direct Advice: The Pumping Strategy
If you're at a beach festival, you want to be social, not sweating over a hand pump. Most of my students make the mistake of manual pumping three boards back-to-back. You'll be too tired to race.
Pro Tip: Rockerwave builds elite boards, but we don't sell pumps due to shipping hurdles. Go to your local shop in Sydney, Auckland, or Honolulu and buy a 12V paddle board pump. An electric pump for sup boards ensures you hit the right PSI while you focus on your race strategy and sunscreen.
Comparing Your Family Fleet
| Feature | Kids & Teens SUP (245cm) | Lightweight All-Round (300cm) |
|---|---|---|
| Board Weight | 5.5kg (Ultra-light for kids) | 6kg (Competition-ready weight) |
| Best For | Groms / Parent-Child Co-Riding | Adult Beginners / Yoga Paddle Board |
| Max Load | 100kg | 120kg |
| Key Advantage | Stable Anti-Slip Deck | Multi-Scenario Adaptation |
Don't Ignore Your Storage
After the race, salt and sun are your enemies. Rinse your boards with fresh water. If you want them to last, you need to know how to store paddle boards properly.
Don't just leave them in the sun; the air inside will expand and burst the seams. Invest in a sup board rack or a paddle board wall rack in your garage. Good paddle board storage keeps your boards off the dirty floor and away from moisture. A paddle board wall rack also makes it easy to grab your gear and go as soon as the tide is right.
Final Thoughts
Summer is for family races and sunset paddles. Get the Kids SUP Board for the little ones and the All-Around SUP Board for yourself. Grab your 12V pump locally, set up a rack at home, and get out there. The water is waiting.
Ready to start your summer? Shop the Rockerwave collection today and get race-ready.
