The rain has stopped, the sun is shining, and it’s time to hit the water. Maine’s glassy lakes, endless coastline and open-water, sea breeze infused downwind runs offer great SUP opportunities.

Paddleboarding interest has exploded globally over the past few years, and the craze is now hitting Midcoast and Downeast Maine. Everyone is talking about the sport, but it can seem difficult and intimidating to get geared up. While the simplicity of SUP is appealing, the gear choices are overwhelming. There are many different types of boards, paddles, PFD’s, and leashes — all tailored to different uses, athletic levels, and goals.

What follows is a basic overview of SUP gear. Included are suggestions for various types of paddlers that we encounter in our shop.

Boards:

We carry four board brands (Tahoe, Coreban, Hobie, C4) that we use ourselves — brands that we think are best suited for Maine paddling. They are all quality companies and they offer a solid range/variation of designs. We carry both “surf” style all-around boards, and longer, more streamlined displacement hull racing/touring boards.

A Great Beginner’s Board: The Hobie DuraSUP is durable, stable, and easy to use. We teach on DuraSUP’s, as the molded polyurethane (plastic) construction makes them hard to break. A DuraSUP is a budget friendly board that can be used in all conditions by anyone and everyone. Perfect as a lake house board or one that will be dragged along our rocky coast. The DuraSUP can also be a great second board that your friends can try without messing up your carbon race board!

Pros:
Durable
Stable
Budget friendly

Cons:
Heavy
Lacks stiffness
Slow

The All-Arounder: The Coreban Cruiser is an excellent all around composite board. It combines the stability benefits of a DuraSUP but with far better construction. It’s lighter, faster, stiffer, and aesthetically far superior. As the namesuggests, an “all-arounder” can be used for fitness, surfing, or cruising with kids and dogs.

Pros:
Versatile
Light
Well built (good looking!)

Cons:
Surf shape = slaps in upwind chop
Slower than displacement hulls in touring situations

* Other boards to consider: Hobie ATR, C4 Classic

Women’s Specific: The Tahoe Bliss has a displacement hull and a fine nose that cuts through waves and water. It is narrow, light, and easy for a woman paddler to handle. The Bliss is adorned with meditative graphics that will add to your SUP experience. The Rubicon is a less costly alternative that still sports a displacement hull. Displacement hulls are perfect for the waters of Maine as they glide through water and slice through chop like a knife through pumpkin pie.

Pros:
Displacement hull = long glide
Lighter construction
Deals well with chop

Cons:
Fragile
Not as “surfable”
Less stable

* Other boards to consider: Coreban 12’6 Alpha Race, C4 TGIF Pro Racer

Athletic Race/Touring Board - We specialize in race/touring boards that move forward efficiently. Here in Midcoast Maine we can cover a lot of distance both on the big lakes and the open bays. 99% of the time you are paddling forward and having a board that slices through the water with little resistance and cuts through chop is really nice. It is all about the Glide! The two lengths are generally 12’6 and 14’. 14-footers are for larger paddlers. There is a wide range in stability, downwind capabilities etc. If you want to fitness paddle, go on long tours or race then these boards are worth the investment.

Board suggestions: Tahoe SUP Zephyr and Thunderbird, Hobie Elite, C4 V1 and TGIF, Coreban Sigma series and Alpha Races

Pros:
Efficient
Cuts through waves

Cons:
Not durable
Costly

Paddles:

We carry both Quickblade and Kialoa paddles — two premier paddle manufacturers. A good paddle is just as important as the correct board. We teach with adjustable paddles and we suggest them for anyone who is going to share their gear. That way you can match the length to different folks. If the paddle is dedicated for an individual then get a fixed length paddle and spend the money on a good one. A high quality, light paddle makes a huge difference as the miles click by.

Paddles are usually made of fiberglass or carbon fiber, carbon fiber being the stronger, lighter, less flexible of the two. We sell full carbon paddles and we cut them to length.

PFDs:

The US Coast Guard recognizes paddle boards as being no different from other vessels. Therefore, the same regulations apply. Stand up paddle boarders are required to carry a personal flotation device (pfd), and whistle, and a flashlight if out after dark. Our suggestions are wear either a comfortable Type III or a belt pack inflatable.  We carry Kokatat at Thorfinn, one of the best in the industry.

Leashes:

Because paddle boards are much heavier than traditional short surfboards, an “SUP rated” leash is a necessity. A simple measurement is to make your leash as long as your board. That way, the board won’t hit you when you fall, but it will also be close enough that hopefully it won’t hit others.

Leashes come in two forms: coiled and flat. Flat leashes tend to drag in the water and catch seaweed. Coiled leashes prevent this and are less likely to get tangled. The coil leash is far superior for touring. Their only drawback is that they are unsafe in the surf because they spring the board back at you.

Accessories:

Smart paddling outfits can include everything from wetsuits or dry suits and booties to non-cotton shorts and t-shirts. We recommend that you dress for the water temperature. Consider a good farmer john/jane suit and then a long sleeve neoprene/spandex top.

If you plan on paddling during a cold Maine winter, a drysuit is the safest bet. Your clothing choices should also correspond to your skill level. If you are inexperienced or new to ocean paddling in cold water then play it safe.

Carrying extra clothes, water, food, etc. can be tough. Some boards have bungee attachments or you can add them to your board. We usually wear an inflatable pfd and then wear a small camelback with water, food, and extra layers. For ocean touring then there is still more gear like a chart, gps, vhf, etc. It just depends how far you are going.

SUP gear is rapidly expanding and their is new cool “stuff” hitting the market constantly. Feel free to stop by our shops in Lincolnville Beach or Bar Harbor to learn more or contact us through our website: www.thorfinnexpeditions.com

More about Thorfinn Epeditions SUP

Thorfinn Expeditions is an outdoor adventure/education business based in Linconville Beach and Bar Harbor, Maine. They are a full SUP school offering lessons, tours, fitness paddling, guided downwinders, and rentals. Staff is ACA level 2 certified and they like to paddle in Maine in all conditions – year ‘round. The retail shops carry the best gear available.