Sevylor Paddle Board & Kayak Review
"I would definitely choose to buy an inflatable board over a rigid board"
Alice - OutdoorGear Tester
Inflatable paddleboards and kayaks is the latest craze to hit British waters. The original bulky, rigid designs are still widely used, but inflatable options are now leading the way - they're much easier to transport, simple to set up, less expensive and are making this fun beach hobby accessible to all.
When choosing a paddleboard or kayak, it's easy to get confused by the range available. I headed down to Poole Harbour to test and compare a few options.
Here's what I made of them…
I have previously used a rigid paddleboard and this was my first time trying an inflatable version. Although slightly less stable on the water, I would definitely choose to buy an inflatable board over a rigid board, simply because they are far more usable. Inflatable boards can be easy packed away, stored and transported without the hassle of roof racks or a van. The usability of the inflatable boards far outweighs that they are slightly less stable on the water than rigid boards. Inflatable boards are also less expensive.
Things to consider...
The Pump
Sevylor's superior double action pump (inflates when you pump up as well as down) make things far quicker to set up. I should note that, as a slight woman (5ft and 47kg), I struggled to pump the paddle boards up to sufficient pressure and had to get help from someone stronger.
The Fins
Some paddleboards have use fixed fins to save time and energy for the user but actually, you have to be careful that they don't get distorted while the board is stored (and affect your steering on the water). Others use three detachable fins, but make sure that you attach them before you inflate the board!
Seat and Footrest
Whilst many kayaks come with these, they are often upgradable and available as an extra on paddleboards. These would be good if you want to sit on the paddle board for any length of time in comfort and certainly make it versatile. However, I didn't feel the need to make use of these extras. I would say that they're nice to have, but if you want to sit down for a journey, opt for a kayak which is designed for that purpose. I can see the seat and footrest being packed in a cupboard and rarely used.
The Paddle
Telescopic of fixed length, there are lot's of options available!
The Carry Bag
Both paddleboards I tested came with a carry bag with shoulder straps (to be carried like a rucksack). This makes transporting much more straightforward.