After renting them at the beach and white water center the last 3 years i finally took the plunge and bought one at a paddle board shop this year (it was gonna be 125 bucks to rent for the week anyway, so why not).
I've been out on the lake every weekend since then and im having a lot of fun. Also I'm really excited to take it on my yearly trip to the OBX with my friends in a few weeks. I'll take it in the pamlico sound and out in the surf at Hatteras.
To me the paddle board vs kayak debate boils down to whether your looking for a small vessel or just something to have fun on. Kayaks definitely cut through the water better and go faster since you have a two sided paddle. But i like the openness of a big flat board, i can sit, stand, or lay on it all kinds of ways. I can jump off and swim around and easily hop back on. And I can take my dog and a good but of stuff with me too.
>>1566007I have seen someone do this at the USNWC but you've got to be really fucking good to do that. If i do buy a kayak one day though it'll be for rapids.
