Race Ready: How to Choose the Best Paddle Board for Your First Ocean Event
I’ve been paddling for 20 years, from the heavy swells of Hawaii to the long coastlines of New Zealand. Every year, I see beginners show up to local races with gear that slows them down. If you want to join the community race scene this summer, you need to understand the isup vs sup trade-off.
A blow up sup is the logical choice for most people because you can throw it in the car without a roof rack. But don't just buy any board. A best paddle board for beginners is one that stays rigid at 15PSI and doesn't bend like a banana when you dig your paddle in.
The Stability Play: Ultra-Wide for Family Fun & Races
If your "race" is a local beach festival where you might have your kid on the front, you need a Wide Stable SUP Board. Most beginners fall off because their board is too narrow for the chop at places like Waikiki or the Gold Coast.
The WERSIY Ultra-Wide Family SUP (320cm) is better for beginners because the 86cm width is 5cm wider than your average board. It acts as a massive, stable platform that stays flat even when the water gets messy. It’s built for those who want to finish the race dry.
The WERSIY Wide All-Round Series (available in “Ocean-Aqua Harmony” and “Water-Veiled Cloud” styles) is water gear designed for families, with "ultra-wide board + large load capacity" as core advantages. The series adopts an 86cm ultra-wide board (5cm wider than regular all-round boards), greatly improving stability—even beginners or kids moving on the board won’t easily tip over; made of 1.0mm thick drop-stitch PVC, it combines durability with 15PSI inflation hardness, with a maximum load of 150kg. The 320×86×15cm extra-large size provides ample space, accommodating 2 adults + 1 child to ride together, or carrying camping gear (such as coolers, life jackets) for a half-day lake picnic. The board is equipped with a full-coverage non-slip EVA deck pad to enhance grip, and 6 integrated D-rings to fix gear. Accessories include a heavy-duty aluminum paddle, high-flow air pump, and a 3-fin setup. It’s a family-friendly SUP balancing space, stability and practicality.
The Distance Play: Extended SUP for Speed
If you have your eye on long-distance gliding or preparing for an event like the Molokai 2 Oahu (M2O), a wide board will feel too slow. You need a Touring SUP Board. These boards are longer, meaning they track straighter and glide further with every stroke.
The WERSIY 350cm Extended SUP is better for fitness-focused paddlers because it’s 350cm long. Each paddle stroke takes you further, which is exactly what you need when exploring the North Shore or the East Coast. It’s surprisingly light for its size, making it easy to carry from the car to the sand.
The WERSIY Extended All-Round Series (available in “Tide-Blue Crest”, “Crimson Tide Red”, and more) is designed for long-distance gliding. It uses a 350cm extended board (20-50cm longer than regular SUPs), improving gliding efficiency and reducing fatigue during long trips. Made of 0.9mm high-density drop-stitch PVC, it maintains 15PSI hardness for stability, with a single board only 7.5kg. The 81cm width ensures basic stability, and the 15cm thickness provides sufficient buoyancy (max load 130kg). The deck pad features an ergonomic contour to reduce foot soreness. Accessories include a carbon fiber paddle, dual-action pump, removable large center fin, and a waterproof storage bag. It’s the perfect gear for cross-lake cruising or coastal exploration.
Pro Tip: The Pumping Strategy
I’ve seen too many people exhaust themselves trying to pump up paddle board by hand before a race. You’ll be red-faced and tired before you even hit the water. It’s a rookie mistake.
Listen to me: Rockerwave focuses on the boards, and we don't ship electric pumps due to logistics. You must go to a local shop in Sydney, Auckland, or Honolulu and buy a 12V paddle board pump. An electric pump for sup boards is the best "extra" gift you can give yourself. It gets you to the correct pressure while you’re focusing on your race strategy or applying sunscreen.
Choosing Your Race Rig
| Feature | WERSIY Ultra-Wide (Family) | WERSIY Extended (Touring) |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 86cm (Ultra-Stable) | 81cm (Balanced) |
| Length | 320cm | 350cm (Fast Glide) |
| Max Load | 150kg (2 Adults + Child) | 130kg (Solo + Gear) |
| Primary Use | Stability, Family, Yoga Paddle Board | Distance, Speed, Exploration |
Don't Ignore Your Storage
After the race, salt and sun are your enemies. Rinse the board. If you want it to last, you need to know how to store paddle boards properly. Leaving a board fully inflated in the hot Hawaii or Aussie sun can cause the air to expand and ruin the seams.
Once you’re home, don’t leave it on the garage floor. Invest in a sup board rack or a paddle board wall rack. Good paddle board storage keeps your PVC safe from grit and punctures. A paddle board wall rack is the cleanest way to keep your gear organized and ready for the next swell.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re in it for the family fun or the solo challenge, get the right board. Use the Ultra-Wide Family SUP for safety and space, or the 350cm Extended SUP for distance and speed. Pick up a 12V pump locally, set up your rack, and I’ll see you on the water.
Ready to race? Check out the Rockerwave collection and gear up today.
