The kids don't usually care. At least at the beginning. Paddling around, jumping off the board or simply sticking your head in the water with your goggles on is actually a lot of fun on any board. And any SUP is ultimately better than no SUP. Children are more likely to suffer damage from a screen that is too big than from a board that is too big. However, on a classic 12'6'' iSUP, 10-year-olds can dig both big toes into the back of the valve during a turn and the nose of the board still sticks to the water at the front. With a width of 30 inches and more, a child has to hold the paddle at a much greater angle than a 1.80 metre man, and with a thick 6-inch steamer underfoot, smaller children really can't get into the water optimally with the paddle blade.
So at the latest when the family is only checking the weekend SUP weather from Thursday and longer tours are planned, special kids' boards come into play. Shorter, narrower and thinner boards that run smoothly with little effort.
We have tested these SUP children's boards:
Red Paddle and Starboard deliver boards in this league that are primarily intended to win podium places in children's and youth races. However, they are also very suitable for ambitious kids as fast touring boards. The Starboard is somewhat more versatile due to its greater width. The Red Paddle is measured to be only 23.5" wide and therefore significantly narrower than the already 25 inch narrow boards from JP and Starboard.
The boards from JP-Australia and Fanatic, on the other hand, are slightly wider, especially in the stern and bow, and the JP board is five inches thick, which is a lot more than the Starboard or Red Paddle (4.75 inches). This requires a little more paddling power, but makes the boards more stable for heavier children and wavy conditions.
The RRD Airrace tends to be more of a tourer and all-round board for bigger kids. For smaller children (under around 35 to 40 kilos), the board still looks quite large. The RRD Convertible seems perfect for very small children - especially for learning to windsurf. Flat and thin, with plenty of space for gimmicks, but less suitable for touring. Cool: With Starboard, the deck pad goes all the way through - for manoeuvres and gimmicks.
That's just a few more grams for a lot of fun.
After many years of experience with youth races, many race organisers rely exclusively on inflatable boards, usually with a length limit of between 10'6" and 11'2". For good reason: this rules out extreme racing boards made of carbon, which minimises costs and risks, while the kids still have a lot of fun competing under fair conditions. Boards are often provided at events so that you can touch and try them out.
THE TEST RESULTS
(* = measurement SUP magazine)
FANATIC Ripper Race 10'0" x 26"
A shade less "race" and more touring and all-round than the JP - that's how the Fanatic Ripper performs. It has a slightly higher nose, is not quite as flat in the water, therefore turns faster and remains stable. It is also suitable for racing, even if it lacks that last tenth, but is very comfortable for family touring and perfect as a light, versatile children's and youth board, even with the option of windsurfing, albeit without an additional fin.
Length / width 305 cm / 66 cm Weight 7.4 kg* Volume 180 litres Price 999 euros
JP-AUSTRALIA Young Gun RaceAIR 10'6" x 25"
The JP is perhaps the lightest iSUP on the market and is therefore ideal for children. Not extremely narrow at the ends, the board is also suitable for less committed kids, paddles very quickly on the tour and feels safer than the Red Paddle and Starboard when turning over the tail. The board is also well suited for racing, but due to its somewhat larger dimensions compared to the two narrowest boards, it is more suitable for children weighing 40kg or more.
Length / width 319 cm / 64 cm Weight 6.0 kg* Volume 207 litres Price 899 euros
RED PADDLE Max Race MSL 10'6" x 24"
The Max Race is the sportiest board for budding SUP race kids. Measured at 23.5 inches narrow and with a very slim tail - more for youngsters with paddling experience. Ideally suited as a sporty touring board and above all for most youth races. On top, there is the option of joining the Red Paddle youth series. For kids who want a race SUP that already looks like the race board of the grown-ups.
Length / width 320 cm / 61 cm Weight 7.7 kg* Volume 170 litres Price 1149 euros
STARBOARD Supkids Racer 10'6" x 25"
It's a little more well-behaved than the Red Paddle, but certainly still one of the best boards for junior racers. With a pointed nose, slim tail and moderate thickness, the board gets off to a very fast and lively start, suitable for the youngest and certainly up to 50 kilos. In terms of speed and light-footedness, the Supkids Racer is in the same league as the Red. Also ideal for a brisk family tour.
Length / width 320 cm / 63.5 cm Weight 8.0 kg* Volume 174 litres Price 999 euros
The small big difference
For a long time, a classic children's board looked like the RRD Air Convertible. Short, wide and manoeuvrable. As with all-round boards for adults, the trend has developed strongly in the direction of longer and narrower boards for children too. Boards with lengths of eight to nine feet and widths of over 30 inches remain fun boards that are stable enough to tip over and are also ideal for windsurfing with small children's rigs. For a tour with the family or a fun race on the lake at home, a good ten-footer is simply better. What's more, narrow boards automatically ensure a better paddling style (straighter paddles), so poor technique doesn't creep in so quickly, which later has to be painstakingly retrained.
RRD Air convertible 10'4" x 34 "C
The fun and play mobile for short distances and relaxed paddling action in front of the beach. Particularly stable and manoeuvrable, but slower and more power-intensive on tours. On the other hand, it offers the full windsurfing option: with a mast holder and large fin in the centre of the board. Ideal for learning to windsurf for lighter kids up to 40kg. Not recommended for kids' races.
Length / width 315 cm / 86 cm Weight 8.8 kg* Volume 190 litres Price 1249 euros
RRD Airrace V3 10'6" x 27"
The Airrace also carries strong youngsters in the U14 class safely. It makes a good impression as a voluminous sports tourer for taller kids looking for the shortest possible board. For lightweights under 40 kilos, the board might be too thick (6 inches) and bulky in comparison, it simply requires more effort than the 24 and 25 inch narrow boards. On the other hand, even light adults weighing up to 65kg can paddle on it easily and without any problems.
Length / width 320 cm / 69 cm Weight 9.6 kg* Volume 240 litres Price 1199 euros
