Stand Up Paddleboarding vs. Kayaking

For outdoor enthusiasts that enjoy being on the water, the debate between Stand Up Paddleboarding and Kayaking has raged for years. If you take the SUP route, you’ll be standing on a board - similar in size to a surfboard - while using a paddle to move. Conversely, kayaking allows you to sit while paddling with your arms. Ultimately, it really comes down to personal choice between the two sports, but both will offer unparalleled fun.

What is a SUP?

In short, SUP allows a rider to stand up on a large board while using a paddle to move through the water. Dating back to Africa and South America in the 1600s, SUP rose to prominence in 2013 in the United States. Today’s paddle boards vary in size from 12 to 20 feet in length and about two feet wide while weighing somewhere between 20 and 40 pounds. Similar to a surfboard, SUPers stand upright with a slight bend in their knees for balance while positioning themselves in the center of the board. Once you’ve achieved the perfect standing position and can master your balance in the water, you use a paddle to propel yourself forward. 

What is a Kayak?

Unlike a SUP, kayakers sit in a small cockpit while using a paddle to move. Similar in size and design to a canoe, kayaks are typically lighter weight and more agile so that can be maneuvered easily. Additionally, kayaks offer more storage space and are often used by campers traversing from one site to the next with their supplies stored in one or more small cubbies or under strong rope ties. 

SUP vs Kayak: Which One is Better?

If fitness is a priority then stand up paddleboarding is going to offer the most bang for your buck. SUP offers a full body workout from strengthening your core to your upper body. Don’t get us wrong - kayaking is no joke either but because you are sitting it’s going to offer more engagement to your upper body like the shoulders, backs, arms and chest than the lower body. If your balance is shaky or you are truly a beginner, then a kayak might be the better option because the adjustment period is far quicker. With a lower center of gravity, kayaks are far harder to tip than an SUP and easier to paddle through rough water. As opposed to an SUP where only one person can be on it at a time, kayaks do offer more flexibility in that you can rent or buy one that allows for two people to be in it at once. Additionally, SUPs have very limited storage whereas kayaks offer a little more flexibility. Keep in mind that if you do opt for a SUP and are worried about where to store your ugo™  we do offer the Heroclip which allows you to attach either of our Signature  ugo™ Phone 2.0 or any of our other options to a ripcord or somewhere else on the board.  ugo™ Phone 2.0 dry bag

Ultimately, at the end of the day, it really comes down to personal choice. SUPs offer a full body workout and may be easier to transport if you opt for an inflatable model while kayaks offer more flexibility and versatility for campers or those that want to go in tandem. 

Whether you are a Stand Up Paddleboarder (SUP), kayaker, boater or simply a water aficionado, ugo™  is here to help. Are you tired of worrying about your expensive phone or tablet being ruined by the waves but want to have it with you so you can capture family moments or spectacular scenery? We’ve mastered the solution at ugo™  with our waterproof and patented IP68 rated design that is both durable and functional. Our utilitarian design lets you use your electronics without having to remove them from the case while the hands free design features crossbody straps for an easy fit or a simple clip to one of the many anchor points. In our next blog post, let’s explore the differences between SUP and kayaking.

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