This Paddle Board is the BEST Thing I Ever Bought (& It’s Way Less Than Most!)

I’m gushing about my game-changing Serene Life paddle board and swear you’ll want your own after reading this post!

Is it dramatic to say that a paddle board changed my life? 🤔

Before y’all say a resounding “yes!” just hear me out, friends! If you’re gonna splurge on one item this summer, make it a paddle board.  🙌

Purchasing my Serene Life stand-up paddle board (or SUP for short) was one of the best decisions I ever made, and I want to share my experience with others who might be on the fence–or who haven’t ever thought of this awesome way to keep your summer lake visits exciting!

First, let me set the scene for the beginning of my paddle board love story…

It was the summer of 2020. I live in a mecca for all things outdoors, but almost all the outside activities had been shut down during Covid-19. The only thing I could really do was go to a section of one of my nearby lakes where I knew nobody else ever went, but just swimming every day got a little old.

I’d occasionally see paddle boarders on the other side of the lake, and after a couple of weeks of research (and a little envy 😅), I decided to get my very own! And let me just say that it was a total game-changer and ended up being one of the best purchases I ever made. 👏

Here’s why I chose to go with a Serene Life inflatable paddle board instead of a hard one.

I did a lot of research before deciding to commit to an inflatable paddle board, and I found a few interesting & unexpected facts about them.

• Inflatable paddle boards are almost always cheaper. A lot of the price difference has to do with the speed capabilities. Rigid paddle boards are a little faster, but since I don’t plan on racing, I’m totally fine with the inflatable one I chose!

• Inflatable paddle boards are often more durable. You may envision an inflatable board popping once it hits a sharp rock, but don’t worry–they’re made with super-tough materials and, unlike the hard version, won’t get dinged and scratched if you drop them.

• Storage is so much easier. Having an inflatable paddle board makes storage + transportation a breeze! You won’t have to worry about getting a roof rack since they can fit in pretty much any vehicle.

• Inflatable SUPs are a lot more forgiving in the learning stages. In the beginning, I landed some pretty harsh face-first falls onto my board when trying to find my footing. I definitely took home some bruises, but it would have been a lot more painful if I was falling onto hard, epoxy-covered wood!

It took me a bit of research and convincing, but even after more than a year, I’m still totally in love with my Serene Life paddle board. I even convinced several of my friends to get one & they love theirs just as much!

Aside from just being a lot of fun, paddling is also a great + low-impact physical activity.

Even better, it’s one of those activities that you don’t realize is exercise while you’re doing it. I have such a nice time chilling out after work and paddling around the lake that I don’t even realize I’m working out… at least until my abs and arms are sore the next day. 🤣

Since it doesn’t put a strain on your joints and tendons, it’s a super-inclusive way to work up a sweat!

The Serene Life paddle board also comes with all types of accessories so I don’t have to worry about spending even more $$$.

Like I mentioned before, the board is inflatable so you don’t have to buy a pricey roof rack just to transport it from your house to the water. 🙌

I also scored a backpack (pictured above), paddle, pump, large fin, pressure gauge, repair kit, and ankle strap (which comes in handy when you’re in moving water)! Some of these single items alone can cost even more than the entire board, so that’s an awesome deal.

Setup is super easy since the kit already includes a pump and gauge! Just unroll the board, close the valve, hook up the hose, and start pumping! You’ll want to reach about 15 PSI. Alternatively, if you don’t want to manually fill the board, you can shop around for an electric pump.

So for such a great price, there’s gotta be a catch, right?

Browsing sites that sell paddle boards will often bring up inventory in the $800+ range, and that is a super common price point. At first, I thought a board under $500 was too good to be true.

But after investigating and reading the other 10,000+ positive reviews on Amazon, I decided to give it a shot–and it is sturdy, y’all.

I kept it rolled up in its carrying bag in my basement…for an entire winter…with below-freezing temperatures 😨, and feared that surely it would be damaged when I unrolled it this past spring. But nope! It still performs as well as the day I got it. I’m honestly still surprised that it’s held up so well!

My only complaint about my board is that while it can technically fit two people, balancing is really hard with an extra person.

My boyfriend and I tried numerous times to make my paddle board work with two people, but after many failed attempts (and just as many bruises) we gave up on that dream. But it’s okay, because I convinced him to get his own so we can both live happily ever after. 😉

But if you do plan to enjoy your paddle board with company, my Hip teammate, Sara, got a tandem paddle board from Red Paddle Co. and thinks it’s the best!

“Our tandem paddle board was such a splurge, but I justified the cost to myself since it was my 30th birthday. I grew up on the water so I love that this has given us a great excuse to head outdoors – it has honestly turned into one of the best purchases ever and something our whole family really enjoys! I also love when it’s just the two of us and we’re able to paddle together and anchor up and enjoy lunch on the water, take naps, or even do some yoga.

 

It easily fits 3 adults + all your gear and as you can see, we can even get our whole family of 5 on it! We seriously love this thing and you’d never know it was an inflatable paddle board because it’s extremely sturdy and well made. I really look forward to traveling with this in the future too…it’ll save us from having to rent one and spend money doing fun activities when we go away.”

Speaking of anchoring up, Sara also loves her paddle board anchor! She says “I can’t imagine not having one honestly. It’s so much work getting everything out there…we love to pack lunches and just chill and do some yoga. It’s the best!”

Now the part y’all have been waiting for! Here’s where to get these boards for yourself:

I paid $350 for mine last summer, but you guys are in luck! Right now, you can score my board on Amazon for LESS!  🙌

As she said, the board was a definite splurge–but so worth it! However, if you wanna take your partner or kiddos out on the water & that one isn’t in the budget, check out the Body Glove Tandem 15′ Inflatable 2 Person Paddle Board from Costco for $599.99.

On a final serious note, remember to always be cautious.

First, paddle board permit and registration laws vary by state, so it’s best to double-check the rules before enjoying any state parks.

And while paddle boarding is generally a safe watersport for those who know how to swim, park rangers can take PFD rules very seriously! Public lakes and parks may enforce stricter life jacket rules, and you may be dealing with a pretty hefty fine if you’re caught paddling without a personal flotation device.

I recommend using a belt-style PFD. While pricey, they make climbing back on the board so much easier when you fall. However, if that’s out of the budget for now, a standard life jacket will do. It’ll be a little more difficult to get back up, but it’s better than being fined.

Check out these other top-selling outdoor items on Amazon!