Let me take you back to the summer of my first paddleboarding experience. It was the kind of afternoon that smells like lake water, sunscreen, and poorly made decisions.
Picture this: I’m standing on the edge of a dock, feeling like a cowboy about to ride something wild. Except instead of a horse, it’s a brand-new inflatable paddleboard that I bought online at 2AM after watching one too many YouTube reviews. I’d never paddled anything in my life except maybe a kayak once on a class trip where I capsized within six minutes.
But I figured—hey, if some travel influencer can paddle through turquoise waters while sipping coconut water, I could, too. Right?
Wrong.
The Inflatable: Love at First Pump (Sorta)
First, let’s talk about inflatables. These things are like the blow-up mattresses of the paddleboarding world—except much sexier. Mine came in a backpack, which immediately made me feel like some kind of gearhead ninja. Lightweight, easy to transport, and you don’t need a roof rack. Sweet.
Until it came time to inflate it.
I was sweating like I owed someone money by the time that thing hit the recommended 15 PSI. My dog was judging me. Neighbors were judging me. Heck, I was judging me. But after twenty minutes and a pulled back muscle, it was ready.
And once I got on the water… wow. I won’t lie—it was smooth. Forgiving. Bouncy in a fun way. Like walking on a firm trampoline. It wasn’t too fast, but I wasn’t racing anyone. I just wanted to stay upright and not embarrass myself in front of the paddleboard yoga people nearby (spoiler: I failed).
But here’s the thing no one tells you about inflatables: they’re not great in wind. One gust, and I was drifting toward a pontoon party like a sad little water balloon. I paddled so hard I pulled something in my shoulder—and got offered a margarita by a woman named Denise. So it wasn’t all bad.
The Solid Board: Built Like a Tank, Rides Like a Dream
Fast-forward two weeks. I borrowed a friend’s solid board for Round Two—this one was fiberglass, sleek as a shark tooth, and heavy enough to be used as a battering ram if society ever collapses.
It didn’t fit in my trunk, obviously. I had to strap it to my car roof using bungee cords that looked like they’d been through a war. Drove 35 mph the whole way, terrified it’d go flying and decapitate a cyclist.
But once we hit the water? Man, oh man.
This thing glided.
It cut through the chop like it was born for it. Stable as hell, even when a speedboat flew by and tried to knock me into the afterlife. The board just laughed at the wake. Like, literally—I could hear it chuckling.
Solid boards are stiffer, which means better performance. Translation: you feel cool. Faster turns, more control, and none of that “boing-boing” bounce that comes with inflatables. I could actually build up speed and feel the water react underneath me, not cushion me like a pool float.
Downside? Carrying it to and from the water was like dragging a stubborn goat through sand. I nearly gave myself a hernia. And if you’re clumsy (hi, it me), these things can crack, ding, or chip.
The Ugly Truth: What I Learned (and What I Wish I Knew)
Let me give it to you straight, like your brutally honest uncle after two beers.
Inflatable Paddle Boards:
✅ Portable — fits in a closet, backseat, even a duffel bag
✅ Durable — you can bump rocks and survive
✅ Forgiving for beginners — more cushion, less bruises
❌ Wind = not your friend
❌ Slower and less responsive
❌ Pumping it up is basically cardio
Solid Paddle Boards:
✅ Better performance — faster, smoother, more control
✅ More stable in chop and wind
✅ Feels “real” — like you’re part of the water
❌ Storage sucks unless you own a garage
❌ Heavy — don’t drop it on your foot (ask me how I know)
❌ Expensive — entry-level options still sting a little
So… Which One Should You Get?
If you’re the kind of person who lives for road trips, hikes to hidden lakes, or just doesn’t want your apartment to look like a surf shop exploded — go inflatable. It’s the Swiss Army knife of paddleboards. Super versatile, forgiving, and great for chilling.
But if you’ve got a garage, some upper body strength, and you care more about glide than convenience? Solid board, hands down. Especially if you’re doing long-distance paddles or want to level up your game.
Me? I ended up keeping both. (Because of course I did. I also own three coffee makers and two guitars I can’t play.)
Now I use the inflatable for casual mornings on the lake or tossing in the trunk for a beach weekend. But when I want to feel like Poseidon himself, carving through the water like a pro—I bring out the solid.
Final Thoughts from a Guy Who Fell In Twice
Here’s the thing nobody tells you: your perfect board isn’t just about specs or reviews or even price. It’s about your lifestyle. Your vibe. Your vehicle situation. Are you going on adventures or staying local? Are you solo, or do you need something your kids (or clumsy friends) can use too?
Choose based on how you live, not just how cool something looks online. (Because I promise you, nothing is less cool than trying to look cool and wiping out in front of a bachelorette party on a booze cruise.)
Anyway, that’s my paddleboarding journey. Two boards, one back injury, and a lot of bruised ego later—I still suck at paddleboarding, but man, I love it.
See you out on the water. I’ll be the guy half-standing, half-sitting, fully grinning.