New Year, New Water: The Best SUP Gear to Kickstart Your January
I’ve been on the water for 20 years. January 1st in the Southern Hemisphere and Hawaii isn’t about cold gyms; it’s about sunrise paddles and clear water. If you want to start the year right, you need gear that makes getting to the beach easy, not a chore.
When you're looking at isup vs sup, an inflatable is the only way to go for summer road trips. You can toss them in the boot and head to the coast. But don’t settle for a heavy, clunky board that’s hard to carry. You need something light enough to actually use every day.
Start Them Young: The Best Kids SUP Board
If you have kids, stop making them share your massive adult board. It’s too wide for them to paddle correctly and they’ll get frustrated. To make this New Year a family win, give them a board built for their size.
The WERSIY Kids & Teens Inflatable SUP (245cm) is better for beginners because it is manageable. It’s light enough for them to carry to the water at the Gold Coast or Waikiki without asking for help. This is how you build real water confidence.
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, a cartoon fin and an A4 storage bag. It’s the top choice for safe and fun kids’ water initiation.
For the Adults: The 6kg All-Rounder
For your own New Year goals, you need a blow up sup that doesn't feel like a workout just to get it out of the bag. Most boards weigh 10kg or more. That’s fine until you have to hike down to a hidden cove in Byron Bay or Noosa.
The 6kg WERSIY Lightweight All-Round Inflatable SUP is the best paddle board for beginners because it’s 30% lighter than the competition. It’s stiff, stable, and perfect for a morning yoga paddle board session or a long cruise along the North Shore.
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, 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.
The Pro Advice: Don't Waste Your Energy
I see it every New Year's morning: people red-faced and tired before they even hit the water because they are trying to pump up paddle board by hand. Don't do that to yourself.
Straight talk: Rockerwave focuses on the boards, and we don't sell electric pumps due to shipping and battery restrictions. Go to a local marine or camping shop and buy a 12V paddle board pump. An electric pump for sup boards is the single best investment you’ll make this year. It saves your back and gets you on the water faster.
Choosing Your New Year Gear
| Feature | Kids & Teens SUP (245cm) | Lightweight All-Round (300cm) |
|---|---|---|
| Board Weight | 5.5kg (Ultra-light for kids) | 6kg (Lightest for adults) |
| Best User | Ages 4-16 / Parent-Child | Beginners / Yoga Paddle Board |
| Max Load | 100kg | 120kg |
| Hardness | Durable Puncture-Resistant | 15PSI Rigid Glide |
Protect Your Summer Investment
The sun in Hawaii and Australia is brutal. If you want your board to last past February, you have to know how to store paddle boards. Never leave them fully inflated in the hot sun for hours; the air expands and ruins the seams.
For the best paddle board storage, rinse off the salt and keep them in a cool spot. Use a sup board rack or a paddle board wall rack in your garage. A paddle board wall rack keeps your gear off the floor and ready for your next session. It also makes your garage look a lot more professional.
Final Thoughts
Make this New Year count. Don't buy a cheap toy board. Get the WERSIY Kids SUP for the groms and the 6kg Lightweight All-Round for yourself. Pick up a 12V pump locally, set up your rack, and I’ll see you on the water.
Want to see the full collection? Shop Rockerwave today and start your year on the water.
