NRS Sun-Protective Fabric Watersports

Standard or inflatable personal flotation device (PFD)? 

Standard: low-maintenance, inherently buoyant, suitable for a variety of water sports and often come with stash pockets. Can be bulky, restrictive and hot while paddling. 

Inflatable: slimmer profile means less discomfort, obstruction and heat. Requires inflation to work, so not great for high-impact activities, children under 16, nonswimmers, or situations where you might end up injured or unconscious before you can inflate. Also requires regular maintenance and replacement of carbon dioxide cartridge. 

Hybrid: best-of-both worlds solution with a heftier price tag. 

What conditions will you encounter? 

Level 50 PFDs: designed for competent swimmers and specific activities, like kayaking and stand up paddle boarding, where mobility is needed but quick rescue is expected.  

Level 70 PFDs: designed for calm, inland waters where fast rescue is likely. 

Level 100 PFDs: designed for rough or remote waters or offshore where rescue may take a while.  

Finding the right fit 

Try on PFDs wearing the clothes you would wear while paddling to get the best feel and fit.  

Try to mimic the paddling motions you would make to ensure there’s no chafing. 

Consider if a PFD will work with the seat without riding up or feeling uncomfortable. A short PFD tends to work best for kayakers.  

If possible, test your PFD in a pool or shallow water; it should not ride up or slip over your chin while floating. 

PFDs with more straps offer a more customizable fit. 

What hull type is best for you? 

• Planing: Very maneuverable and rides on top of the water. Good for leisure paddling, surfing, SUP yoga and whitewater. 
• Displacement: More efficient, allowing you to go longer distances at faster speeds. A bit less maneuverable than planing hulls. 
• Hybrid: Combines aspects of planing and displacement hulls to cut through water easily with more stability. Suits paddling across a range of water environments. 

Solid or inflatable SUP? 

• Inflatable: More budget-friendly and well suited for limited storage space and travel. Stands up well to paddling whitewater and more comfortable for SUP yoga. 
• Solid: Best performance on the water. Travel faster and smoother and are more stable with less effort. Available in a larger variety of sizes and finely tuned shapes. Require plenty of storage and a secure method of transporting if you have a car. 

Sizing your board 

• Volume, weight capacity and thickness: All contribute to stability. When determining how much weight your board should accommodate, take into consideration any cargo and other passengers (including dogs) that you plan to paddle with. 

• Length: Longer boards are generally faster than shorter boards, but shorter boards are more maneuverable. 

• Width: Wider boards are more stable than skinny boards, but can be slower and more difficult to paddle, especially if they are too wide for your body and the type of paddling you want to do.