I’ve inflated and used the Wave Tourer a few times now without any issues, but it’s very different using it a handful of times compared to a few seasons. With the construction and overall price, you wouldn’t expect it to last as long as more expensive brands, but I could be wrong. I’d love to hear from anyone who has used the board for a few years because if it does last, this board becomes almost unbeatable for value. On the flip side JP knows that beginners need something durable that’s easy to use and easy on the wallet. So along with their performance boards, they have produced some gear for beginners that is actually some of the cheapest on the market. In smooth, flat water, I found the board to be super stable. However once I hit some oncoming and side chop, the board felt a little bit unsure of itself and this is where the single-layer construction and relatively low pressure meant the board did wobble a bit like a bouncy castle, even with the max recommended 15 PSI.

When doing research for this article, the warranty was probably the biggest factor in adding a board to the list or not. There are some great looking budget paddle boards out there, but if the manufacturer doesn’t offer any warranty then please avoid them! What mostly gives a board stability is its width. The wider the board, the more stable it is. Beginners want a board that feels secure underfoot, which helps with confidence in the early stages of starting this sport. However, a board that is too wide will stunt progression, feel sluggish and be less manoeuvrable.Wave is a UK based company, with its HQ up in Newcastle. Founded in 2016, Wave has been producing a number of inflatable products for a while now, including Hot Tubs. Those who are very keen and plan to get on the water at least once a week may want to buy a more expensive board with better construction. Boards with a better construction will be able to withstand many more inflations and deflations.

Tahe is a merger from two brands, Tahe Outdoors and BIC, who along with making pens and lighters, have been manufacturing windsurf, surf and paddle boards for years. So although Tahe is a new name, they have been around for a very long time. The board only has a 1 year warranty, so that gives you an idea of how much confidence Aquaplant has in the board construction. I think it’s worth bearing that in mind when you’re weighing up your options. Whether you're embarking on a solo expedition or having a laugh with your mates, the Tourer provides ample space and stability for you and your gear, ensuring you have everything you need to make the most of your journeys. This no-nonsense board will give you endless fun. WHATS INCLUDED Construction is a key consideration, but usually an easily resolved one. The days of stand-up paddle boards being mainly solid fibreglass or expanded foam have long gone. If you have a campervan or live next to the water, then a solid construction will make sense, as these are almost indestructible and perform much better in the water. But if that's not the case (which it won't be for most), then you'll want one of the new breeds of inflatable SUPs. Their Cruise SUP is a great all round board, ideal for beginners and those who want to enjoy paddle boarding without spending money on all the accessories.The Tahe Beach Performer is their all round 10’6 board, with a classic longboard style shape, this board will be at home cruising around on a lake or surfing small waves. At 31.5 inches wide, it will be stable enough for beginners and intermediate to have a lot of fun on. The board will glide nicely and probably better than any inflatable, but it’s not a touring board. They produce some high end, top quality gear that is designed for true watersport professionals. I personally really like their SUP surf boards, which I used a lot when I worked for a watersports centre in Brazil. Another paddle board company born and bred in the UK, Aquaplanet is a well-established, well-known brand. They claim to be the UK’s no.1 top-selling paddleboard, whilst I’m not sure if that claim is true, they are certainly very popular and they could claim to be the most popular budget paddle board brand in the UK. In T3's Surfstar 10'6" Advance Star inflatable stand up paddleboard review, the reviewer rated this similarly priced board extremely highly, so that's well worth a look to start with. Aquaplanet's MAX Sup is another entry-level design that offers good value for money when it comes to quality, and at 10'6 it's a generous size that will give beginners confidence. Its cheerful rainbow design is just as distinctive as the Woody's looks, too. Fancy something nimbler? The NKX Flash is smaller, lighter and faster, and will suit intermediate SUP-ers heading into the sea to try out small waves. One final factor to consider is price. As with anything, you get what you pay for, and in our ranking, we've chosen beginner's paddle boards that range from the downright bargainous through to the spendy-but-tempting. Bear in mind that good quality, desirable beginner boards are always popular in the second-hand market, so buying well will pay dividends later in cash as well as enjoyment. How we test the best the best stand-up paddle boards for beginners