Everybody knows that finding the right board is key for enjoying SUP.  However, there are a lot of beginners who simply aren't sure what "the right board" is.  For example, I saw a guy yesterday who was having a lot of trouble staying up on the board he was on.  Wasn't his fault...the board simply did not have enough volume to provide the stability he needed, and it was a pretty narrow board.  Now, he was a beginner, and if he had been an experienced paddler and wanted more of a performance surfing board, he might have been okay.  So, "the right board" can change, depending on what you are going to ask of it.  In this post, I will try to provide some assistance in finding the right paddleboard for conditions found on Lake Murray.  I am going to make some gross generalizations (and assume the reader is a beginner), but here goes...

These are the main parameters that you look for in a board: 

Length:  this dimension governs two performance characteristics of the board--tracking and speed.  A longer board tracks better (goes in a straight line) and is faster.  On flatwater like the lake, those are two things you want because you are going to spend most of your time going in a straight line.  Better tracking means you aren't continually switching sides every 2-3 strokes to keep the board going straight, so it's more efficient and less tiring.  Also, when I say "faster", that is true, but "glides better" is perhaps a more appropriate term.  That means you are putting less effort into keeping the board moving, which means you can go further with less effort.  The maximum length on most recreational SUP's is going to be 12'6".  You do see boards longer than that, but they are almost exclusively race type boards.  My opinion is that there is really no reason to have a board shorter than 10'6" on the lake.  I would recommend a board in the 11'-12' length for most people using it around Columbia and on Lake Murray.

Width:  this dimension has the most effect on stability.  A wider board is more stable.  However, you don't want it too wide because it may become inefficient for your size and--more annoying--you will constantly be smacking the side of the board with your paddle.  My recommendation for most people here is going to depend on size.  If you are a big guy (over 200 lbs.) you probably will want a 31-32" wide board.  Smaller paddlers will generally want a board in the 30" range.

Thickness:  this measurement is going to be connected with volume, but is measured at only the thickest part of the board.  A pretty good measure of weight-carrying capacity.  Most boards will be in the 4"-5" range.  Heavier paddlers, of course, will likely want a thicker board.

Volume:  the easiest way to think about this is how much space is contained in the board.  You can equate this measurement with the "floatiness" of the board.  The more volume, the more weight it can float...which is true.  Keep in mind, however, that volume is subject to significant variances caused by the length and width of a board.

The Bottom Line:  what's the right board for Lake Murray?  For a woman paddler weighing 135 lbs., I would say a 11'X30" board.  For a 200lb. guy, a 12'X32" board.  Those are "ball-park" estimates, and subject to paddler preference,  The best advice I can give you?  Paddle as many boards as you can before you buy.  Don't forget that Whitecap SUP does demo days at the lake with a very wide variety of boards for you to try.