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The shape of the board you ride can really make or break your experience, especially if you are a beginner paddle boarder. So it’s important to know the difference between paddle board shapes and their pros and cons.

The All Around shape has a little rocker, meaning the paddle board’s nose is raised slightly out of the water. This will push water down, while lifting the nose up. This makes the All Around the perfect board to help you handle any waves or chop that come your way.

 

This board shape is wider than the touring which makes it easier to balance and maneuver. This is one reason the All Around shape is a great option for beginner paddle boarders. However, because of the wider, bulkier hull at the front of the board and the overall size of All Around boards, they aren’t the best choice for speed or long distance paddling. 

The Touring paddle board shape has a pointed nose, like a kayak, and is designed for longer, more fast-paced flat-water paddles.

The pointed nose, also known as a displacement hull, will provide you with a higher efficiency and performance. Meaning, this will allow you to track straighter and quicker with fewer strokes to achieve a smooth glide across the water. This makes Touring boards best for speed and SUP racing.

 However, this board shape is much more difficult to balance on which makes it less maneuverable for someone who isn’t a serious paddler. For this reason, the Touring shaped boards are not the most ideal paddle board for beginners.

Specialized race board generally come in lengths that conform to race classes.  12’6” is the most common race class, followed by 14’.  A 14’ board will go faster, but you’ll be racing against other paddlers on 14’ boards so it will give you no advantage over owning a 12’6” board and racing against other paddlers on boards of equal length.

A 28-inch width board is narrow enough for many racers who don’t want to push the limits of stability.  A 26-inch width board will be a bit faster but the balance will be challenging on flat water and even harder in choppy conditions.

In summary, the round-shaped paddle board (All Around) features a planing hull and a wide form, making it suitable for cruising on lakes, rivers, and surfing. The pointed-shaped paddle board (Touring) is designed for longer and faster-paced paddling in calm waters. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced paddle board enthusiast, choosing the right paddle board shape is crucial. We hope the information provided in this article can assist you in making a wise decision.