XTERRA makes high quality, competitively priced inflatable paddleboards that are great for all skill levels and most importantly, durable, easy to store, and even easier to transport. Enjoy a summer of fun on the water!
41% of the total area of the city of Seattle is water. Combined with our beautiful summers, it’s a perfect place for water sports!
I’m sure just about everyone has seen standup paddleboarders all over Seattle. With so many different types of water here, it’s paradise for both beginners and experts. Paddleboarding is a fantastic full-body workout and you can make it as easy or as hard as you want. You don’t even have to stand up, you can sit or kneel and simply enjoy being out there.
I bought an XTERRA 10’ inflatable paddleboard package in June of 2017 and couldn’t be happier! I frequently had it out on the water 3-4 times a week last summer and I only wonder why I didn’t buy one sooner!! Below are the reasons I picked my XTERRA board and why I recommend it. Go get your paddle on!!
This is a great way to spend the summer!!
Inflatable vs. hardboard.
First off, let’s cover the question everyone asks. Are inflatables just inferior options to hardboards? No, they most certainly are not! In fact, unless you’re a racer or really into speed, I can’t think of a single reason to pick a hardboard over an inflatable. For the average user, the difference in speed between the boards is very minimal.
Inflatables are built with durable materials that handle abuse and typically inflate to 10-15 PSI, making them surprisingly rigid. I live in a condo with lack of storage and for me, an inflatable is incredibly easy to store and transport. There really isn’t a better option!
Stability.
Most beginners need a wider and thicker board for stability, which means at least 5-6” thick, 9’6″ in length, and 29”-32” wide. If you get a board narrower than 30” and thinner than 6”, it can become tougher for balancing. If you’re a smaller, lighter person, you can get away with a thinner board more easily.
XTERRA sells 10′ boards in both 4” and 6” thicknesses as well as longer 12′ touring boards. Before I bought my board I’d only SUP’d one other time so I would consider myself a complete newbie. I opted for a 10′ , 6” thick board, which is 30” wide and weighs approximately 28 pounds. Granted, I do yoga and I’m fairly athletic, but balancing on water is a whole other challenge!
Paddling around the Washington Park Arboretum, a great place for beginners! I’m about 5’6″, 120 lbs, so you can see roughly how large the board is compared to me. It’s plenty wide and long enough for good balance and also small enough to be maneuverable.
I was surprised how stable and solid the board feels. It took me a little bit of time to work up to Lake Washington chop and boat wakes, but I had no problem jumping on the first day and cruising around in relatively flat water.
Inflation.
One obvious downside of an inflatable board is pumping it up. Yes, it does take a bit of work and I’ve seen people with inflatable paddleboards who spend upwards of 15 minutes pumping up their boards. With XTERRA’s high quality dual-action pump, you’ll be done quicker than you think! It takes me an average of 5 minutes to inflate my board!
Their pump has a dial that allows you to use it in double action mode during the first phase of inflation when pressure is not high. That means your board is getting inflated on both the up and the down, which cuts inflation time in half. I pump in double action mode until it gets tough to continue pumping, then I flip the dial and pump in single-action mode until the board is fully inflated.
Inflating my paddleboard! It only takes about 4½-5 minutes to inflate to 12 PSI. The inflation hose detaches to make packing and storing easier and the pump has a convenient dial to allow for double-action or single-action pumping.
The recommended board inflation is 12-14 PSI. If you’re in cold, choppy water, higher pressure is better. I weigh 120 lbs and it takes me an average of about 220 pumps over 4½ minutes to inflate my board to 12 PSI, which has been plenty sturdy for me! Believe me, I’m not Wonder Woman, but it’s relatively easy and a good excuse for an extra workout!
Nearly every time I’ve been out, other people with inflatables have asked me about my pump because I usually start inflating my board a few minutes after them and I’m done and on the water while they’re still pumping! XTERRA’s pump really wins in this department!
A close-up of the inflation valve. You can push the valve down, twist and lock to deflate. Just remember after deflating to untwist your valve. If it’s stuck locked in deflation mode, you’ll pump it up again and lose all your pressure when you unhook the pump!
Durability.
Obviously, you do need to exercise some caution with an inflatable board, but hardboards can also be damaged with rough, careless handling. Overall, inflatables are surprisingly durable!
XTERRA’s board is built from military/industrial-grade material with a high-density drop stitch to prevent warping and the sides are reinforced. That being said, I will disclose that on the first day I took my paddleboard out, I managed to somehow puncture the side of it. It didn’t happen while I was out on the water, I think it might have happened while it was being transported in my Jeep.
Reinforced sides, sturdy materials, and quality craftsmanship.
I was pretty bummed out but XTERRA’s SUP package includes a repair kit with glue, patches, and a valve wrench. They also have a video to show you exactly how to patch your board. After letting it set up for 24 hours, I took the board out 3-4 times per week all summer long with zero issues. The patch has been completely solid and the board has held up fine rubbing against rocks, logs, and other things in the water. I’m convinced it was a fluke and likely punctured by a piece of glass in my Jeep.
Even so, I am careful about treating my board nicely. I don’t drag it across the ground if I can avoid it and I’m careful what it’s lying on top of when not in the water.
Features.
The board’s deck pad is made from EVA foam, which provides a comfortable, soft, and grippy surface for your feet. It’s also nice for kneeling, though after an extended time your knees can get a bit sore.
The EVA foam deck and carry handle.
The elastic bungee system easily holds a life jacket, water bottle, hoodie, and various other small accessories while you’re out on the water. It has two D-rings on each end that make it easy to carry or tie off to a dock and even comes with a built-in GoPro mount.
Elastic bungees for holding a water bottle and other gear, GoPro mount, and D-rings (one on each end).
The board comes with 3 fins, two of which are permanently attached and have little inflatable waterwing-like protectors for when the board is rolled up. The center 6” fin is removable and easy to slide in and secure with an attached pin. I usually put my board in the water, then attach the fin so it doesn’t drag on the ground.
The two stationary fins as well as the slot for attaching the larger 6″ fin. The stationary fins have waterwing-like protectors for storage.
If you’re in shallow water, just be aware the fin may catch up on logs or other things close to the surface. I’ve accidentally caught mine a few times, but so far it’s been fine and it’s even fairly easy to remove while sitting on the board if you need to.
The 6″ removable fin snaps into the board with a locking pin.
The XTERRA package also comes with a 10’ coiled SUP leash, essential for safety and keeping your board from floating away if you do take a spill.
The included 10′ coiled leash, which easily wraps around the rear D-ring.
Paddle.
Included is a 3-piece adjustable aluminum paddle that extends from 66” to 87”, which should be long enough for a 6’2″ person. A general rule of thumb is that your paddle should be your height + 9-10”.
The board, paddle, and backpack, all included with a SUP leash, pump, and patch kit!
Paddling Tip: When I first started paddleboarding I had no idea I was holding the paddle backwards! I see almost every newbie make this same mistake. The paddle blade should actually be angled away from you, not towards you as in kayaking. If you’re doing it wrong, flip it around. You’ll notice a big difference!
Portability.
I love how easy it is to not only store my paddleboard but also transport it! It rolls up quickly, comes with a strap, and slides into the backpack that XTERRA provides with the package.
The XTERRA paddleboard rolls up easily and quickly for storage.
The pump, paddles, and accessories all fit into the pack and combined weigh about 34 pounds.
Supplied strap keeps the board rolled in place.
It’s easy to take on vacation, bring camping, or even hike in short distances to alpine lakes! I don’t have to worry about finding good parking on busy days, I simply throw on the backpack, and walk!
All packed up! Paddleboard, paddle, pump, and accessories!
I even brought my paddleboard with me when I went backpacking in the Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness earlier this summer. After my backpack, I enjoyed a beautiful paddle at a nearby alpine lake. There’s simply no shortage of places to go with an inflatable! You don’t have to strap it to your car or figure out how to awkwardly carry it.
A fantastic post-backpacking paddle at Black Pine Lake outside the Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness, Hoodoo Peak in the distance.
Money-back guarantee and warranty.
XTERRA offers a 60-day money-back guarantee that begins the day after you receive your board. If you’re not completely satisfied you can return it (in like-new/slightly-used condition), no questions asked, for a full refund of the purchase price. They also warranty the board for 1 year from the date of purchase against defects in materials and workmanship and will send you free patch kit materials for 5 years after the purchase of your board.
Safety.
The US Coast Guard considers SUPs operated outside a surfing, swimming, or bathing area as a “vessel” and as such, a child 12 years or younger must be wearing a life jacket and anyone older must have a Type I, II, III, or appropriate Type V life jacket at least on their vessel. Belt pouch-type inflatables must be worn to be legal.
A whistle is strongly recommended if you’re on busy waters so you can signal to a boat if necessary. If paddling after sunset, you should have a flashlight or signaling device.
A SUP leash should be used on anything other than dead calm water. This keeps your board from floating away if you fall, dangerous for both you and others!
Take advantage of the remaining summer and get yourself out on the water for not only fun, but also a great workout!
Happy paddling!
