If you have been doing SUP for a while, chances are you might be in the middle between rent a paddleboard or purchase the new one. It is the most common question from the regular SUP users. Should you rent a stand-up paddleboard, or buy your gear? What is the best solution for the excellent investment?
You might be struggling with these questions when you find out that SUP can be your new routine. Or, perhaps, you had rented a few times and been long for your own SUP board. By owning the SUP board, you could do it anywhere, anytime you want. But you might also know that it is a hefty investment, not to mention the burden of carrying your board to another country.
When you rent a paddleboard, you must spend around $30-$50 per trip. That depends on how many hours you are using the paddle board. It can cost about $50-$100 per day depending on the location and the providers. Although not always, these prices include PDF, paddles, and the other items. You may need to spend more for SUP board roof rack.
If you plan to purchase a paddleboard, you will need to prepare at least $1,000 to buy a decent board. Plus, around $100-$200 for a decent paddle. The best paddle in the market is non-carbon fiber paddle type. But it tends to be heavier so that it can make you exhausted too quickly. Carbon fiber paddles are lighter and stronger. But it is more expensive than non-carbon paddle. Carbon fiber paddle costs around $300 – $500. Roof rack costs around $60 – $200. Meanwhile, PFD costs from $10 – $70. Not to mention you need to spend $30 more on the leash.
Two reasons will make you close to owning the board: 1) the frequency of your SUP activity and 2) the location.
For a reason no. 1, it will make sense if you are planning to do your SUP routinely. The second reason is closely related to the no.1 reason. If your current location is nearby the SUP spots, then it will make sense. If you are living outside Kauai, you need to consider it twice. Kauai’s water characteristics can be different from other waters in other areas. If you purchase your board about using it in Kauai’s pool, there’s a chance that you can’t use it in additional water with different characteristic.
That’s why if you plan to do SUP in various locations, it is much better to rent a paddleboard.