Now that you’ve mastered the art of paddle boarding, you’re looking to make things a little interesting. You’ve probably heard of SUP racing and are looking to get a taste of the action of a little competitive paddle boarding. I get it, there’s nothing more exhilarating than SUP racing, but you need the right board to even have a chance of winning.

We’re going to take a look at some of the best racing paddle boards so you can hit the water ready to win! By the time I’m through detailing some of these epic boards, you’re going to be itching to glide across the water in one of these SUPS!

Top 3 Racing Paddle Boards

Rogue Parlay

Rogue is a big player in the world of paddle boards, and their Racing SUPs are some of the best in the game. The Rogue Parlay is one of the best boards for flatwater and in specifically, sprint racers. Its narrow design makes it perfect for gliding in the water with ease, provided you’re a skilled paddle boarder.

While the Rogue Parlay is rather pricey, it’s one of the best SUP boards for racing. The design, in my view, is a little plain, but that doesn’t take away from the quality of this racing paddle board whatsoever. In addition, the Parlay is equipped with a 9” racing fin, making it easy for a skilled racer to maneuver through the water, reaching insane speeds as they cut through the water.

The board features a comfortable heat-sealed rogue embossed honey fomb deck pad, making remaining on the board easy when combined with the 3D traction pad. All in all, the parlay is a board that can really be perfect for your venture into SUP racing.

Key Features

• Included premium carbon 2pc paddle and 10’ coiled leash
• 9” race fin
• Heat-sealed rogue embossed honey fomb deck pad
• 3D traction pad

Pros

• Lightweight
• Fast

Cons

• Personally, not a fan of the design

Pau Hana Viper Carbon Racing Paddle Board

Honestly speaking, this is probably the best board on the list! For starters, with little to no competition in this aspect, it’s the best-looking board, hands down. The Pau Hana Viper looks like a pineapple, but rides like a Hawaiian Dream!

If you’re looking to be fast, then this beast of a board is where you should be spending a lot of your decision-making time. The shape of the Viper is best suited for flat waters and advanced riders, and once you tame the Viper, you’ll find one of the best performing boards on the market. Maybe you’re not entirely up for the immense challenge that comes with the Viper’s narrower boards. In that case, you can opt for a wider board for better stability.

Don’t let the use of carbon fiber fool you. This board is resilient and can handle a lot more than the average carbon fiber SUP.

Key Features

• Single 9’ Fin
• Soft EVA Deck Pad
• Displacement Hull
• Integrated Leash Cup

Pros

• Options for all types of skill sets and race types
• Fast and smooth on flat waters
• Durable and lightweight

Cons

• Requires a ton of skill to conquer

Rogue All-In

Another exceptional racing SUP from Rogue is the All-In. While the Parlay is great for sprint racing, the All-in can do a little more as it’s considered an all-around board for racing. However, while versatile, its primary focus is downwinders and catching some waves!

It has many of the same features that make the Parlay such an exceptional SUP. Still, its overall design makes it better at handling choppier waters, and unlike the Parlay, it can take on the waves. The overall design features a durable build, lightweight feel and will make a fine addition to your Racing SUP collection.

Key Features

• Included premium carbon 2pc paddle and 10’ coiled leash
• 9” race fin
• Heat-sealed rogue embossed honey fomb deck pad
• 3D traction pad

Pros

• A pro at taking on the waves and choppy waters
• Fast
• Lightweight

Cons

• Another plain design from Rogue

Personal Pick

My personal pick, hands down, is the Viper! The design definitely played its part in convincing me that this board was something special, but it’s not why I chose it. This board is just the perfect choice for flatwater racing. If you asked me which board is better for the waves and choppier waters then I’d hit you with a different answer. In that case, I’d say it’s the Rogue All-In, but otherwise, the Viper is where my head is at for my choice of racing SUP.

You really can’t go wrong either way with any board on this list. They all offer great performance on the water for the skilled paddle boarders. So, while the Viper is my pick for the best racing paddle board, know that either way, you’ve got something special to take to the water.

Buyers Guide

There are a few things you need to consider when looking for the perfect SUP for racing.

Length

SUP racing has three main racing classes;

1. 12’6
2. 14’
3. Unlimited

When it comes to SUP racing, length is a critical factor in determining a good board and a great one. Longer boards are better for speed because they increase their effective waterline. Additionally, it’s beneficial for strait-line speed as longer boards can track straighter than shorter boards. Finally, if you’re a heavier rider, longer boards are more buoyant.

This isn’t to say shorter boards are useless in SUP racing. On the contrary, you can maneuver easier, perform buoy kick turns, easily disengage the nose, and catch waves with ease. For example, surf races and sprint races feature a lot of turns, so a shorter board would be better equipped to get the best results for these kinds of events.

The 14’ SUP Board Class is the most popular class worldwide. It’s especially popular with major events promoting it as the primary/main event class. Most events have 14’ & Under, so if you don’t have a 14’ board, you can still use your 12’6 without a problem. Most paddlers’ first choice is the 14’ as it’s a standard in most competitions.

Unlimited boards, on the other hand, are the most uncommon racing SUPs of the three classes. They’re used for open ocean downwind events as they’re available at a length of 18ft which is great for gliding and catching runs. In addition, their rudder systems allow for steering without moving around the board as much as you would a 14’ or 12’6.

Width

New SUP racing riders need to pay close attention to SUP board width when starting out. This is because the board’s width determines stability, and funny enough, that’s really important for racing.

Entry-level racers need to look for a board that’s 24.5” or 26” in width. Once you’ve mastered this width, you can move on to more narrow boards where stability is an art form. Elite riders usually go for the 21” and under boards. Stability trumps speed because if you’re unstable while paddling, you’ll end up in the water, and it doesn’t matter how fast you are on the SUP when you’re out for the count.

Hull

There are two types of hulls to consider when looking for a SUP racing board. You’ve got a displacement hull and a planing hull. A hull determines how the board moves through the water.

Displacement

Displacement hulls can go narrower, which increases speed thanks to the concave bottom contour shape, which provides more stability due to its increased surface area. Displacement hulls push through and parts the water. These types of hulls are usually accompanied by pointed noses, which increase the overall waterline, slicing through the water, forcing it to the side, and creating a faster, smoother ride.

Planing

Planing hulls have flat or convex Vee-shaped bottom contours. The design allows the SUP to run on top of the water at higher speeds and is very maneuverable. However, due to their rounded bottom board, you’re not going to be able to go as narrow as you would with a displacement hull so bear that in mind. Primarily a planning hull is better for choppy water conditions and for use in technical course racing.

Final Thoughts

Now you’re ready to take to the waters and enjoy the exhilarating sport of SUP racing! You’ll find so many paddle boarders just like you who love the sport and the open water. So embrace the camaraderie and enjoy your time taking part in some SUP races.

If you want to get a friend on one of these bad boys, so you’ve got someone to practice competing with, send them this article. Then, let us know how your venture into the high-stakes world of SUP racing goes in the comments, and good luck!