Get an all-around, recreational, or touring board for multipurpose use.
Multipurpose SUPs are the standard boards chosen by beginners, and they’re typically used for flat-water paddling on lakes, bays, and slow rivers. These boards are longer, wider, and have more volume than surfing or racing boards.
These boards are typically made of fibreglass, which makes them light and easy to carry. Occasionally you will find plastic ones that are less expensive but are also much heavier.
Choose a surfing board to ride waves.
Surfing paddleboards are usually shorter, narrower, and lighter than the other types of boards and they have a narrow nose and tail. They are designed for doing quick turns and specifically meant for use in the surf zone
Get this type of board only if you’re going to use it for surfing. They are less stable than longer boards and don’t work well on long-distance paddles.
Buy a racing board if you’re an experienced paddle-boarder.
Race boards are longer and narrower than standard or surfing boards, and they’re meant for fast wave-riding competition. They can be pretty unstable unless they’re moving forward at a high speed, and should only be used by more advanced paddle-boarders
Look for an inflatable board if storage is an issue.
If you live in an apartment or have a small car that makes transporting a large board a problem, an inflatable board may be the right answer for you. Inflatable boards work well for both flatwater and river use. As they are thicker and bigger than regular boards, inflatable paddle boards are often better for beginners at Stand Up Paddling
These boards typically aren’t stable enough for wave riding, so avoid getting one if you plan to surf. However technology is improving and inflatable boards, especially for the purpose of wave riding, are becoming more common
Inflatable boards generally have a shorter life-span of about 2 years than their non-inflatable counterparts.