SUP boards

Stand Up Paddle is a wonderful sport, because everything is playful and more importantly accessible. We discover the ocean, surf all types of waves, and have a blast with friends.

A paddle and a board to discover magnificent landscapes and emotions the aquatic world has to offer. Ease of use, sensation, friends, but also performance because of how far this sport can take you, be it on a wave or when racing.

You just tried a SUP for the first time when renting a board for an hour, or trying the gear of a friend, or even just because you want to get into it. Follow our recommendations to help you pick the right gear for you.

GONG is a shaping workshop born in the mid 90s. At first solely dedicated to surfboards, then kitesurf, it was in 2006 that GONG was the first ever brand to believe in the Stand Up Paddle (SUP).

We have been the first brand worldwide to offer factory produced SUP boards, making it accessible to all.

We have an extensive knowledge of the sport, its history and its infinite details since we have lived its evolution, from its birth all the way to its now massive worldwide adoption. Who better to help you choose the right gear for you ? To immerse you in the spirit of the sport ? GONG, its actors, ambassadors and customers are all proud figures of a SUP culture. A culture that we could depict as, happy performance, in which the search for pleasure and enjoyment is the number one motivator  whatever the level.

Our product range has always been the widest because we want to appeal to everyone’s style.

GONG is a surf shaper, and that DNA will always be present in our shapes, in our approach and our relation to the ocean. Noseriders, guns, shortboards, we have pioneered all these trends and have kept pushing them a little further each day.

Passion is what brought us together and created the strong community surrounding GONG. Our forum is a prime example of this. Each of us tries to help out the other, to motivate and share. This is something that can also be seen in our groups on social networks.

Naturally, and in addition to the production of exceptional rigid boards, we also offer inflatable SUP boards in order to widen even more the reach and potential of the sport by making it always more accessible to all of you. Our rigid boards are used by champions, but also have more accessible variants to discover the many facets of the sport. The inflatable range adds even more fun to this resolutely fun oriented approach.

By choosing to trust an historic brand of the sport, you will in return get your share of the authenticity that made and still makes us pioneers. You will also support an honest approach that puts you at the center of our preoccupations, an approach also dedicated to a French quality standard.

Trust our renowned expertise.

Boards for every riders and programs !

Whatever your level, build or program, our wide SUP range has you covered. In order to pick the right board, you need to first decide what you would like to do :

• A 100% surf program -> I-SUP Shortboard
• Mainly surfing and some cruising -> I-SUP Longboard
• Some cruising and some surfing -> First Allround / I-SUP Allround
• Going for long cruising rides – First Cruising / I-SUP Cruising and I-SUP Explorer
• Sporty cruising / training / racing on open water -> I-SUP Race 12’6
• Sporty cruising / training / racing on flat water -> I-SUP Race Flat Water 12’6
• For downwinders -> I-SUP Race 14’
• For kids -> First Junior, I-SUP Shortboard 7’5 and 8’5

Once you have decided what your program is :

• Level 1 beginner : You never tried a SUP or have less than 10 sessions on one.
• Level 2 intermediary : You are fairly confortable on a SUP, you know how to paddle and have good balance
• Level 3 advanced : You are really confortable since you practice regularly and you own a SUP.

For a beginner, favor a generous width. It is what will bring you stability. That way you’ll be able to enjoy a wide range of conditions without having to worry about your balance, and focus on your paddling.

Volume is only one part of the equation when it comes to the stability of a board. An I-SUP Race 14’x26’’ has a volume of 325 liters, but it will be less stable than an I-SUP Allround 10’9’x33’’ which has a volume of 215 liters.

This is a frequently asked question : « Can I take my kid / dog / mother-in-law … (not all of those are good ideas for different reasons) with me for a ride on my Stand Up Paddle ? »

If you wish to take a passenger with you for a ride, aim for a board with a generous width. Once again, weight and volume are not the only defining factors at play in this case, width is. Once you are on the water, the lack or loss of balance from one of you will greatly impact the other who will try to recover or compensate, which will make the first one struggle even more and so on until everyone is safely floating around the board. To avoid this, do not hesitate to be conservative when picking your board, you will thank you later.

Length will partly define your program. A short board will be more maneuverable and will be great for surfing. If on the other hand you only wanted to cruise, a board that is longer than 11’ will be ideal. Width being equal, a longer board will be faster and be more efficient when paddling.

One more thing to take into account is the time it takes to inflate your board : a shorter board will take much less time to inflate.

In a nutshell :

• Less than 9’ : 100% surfing
• From 9’ to 10’ : Mainly surfing with the ability to go for cruises from time to time.
• From 10’ to 11 : Mainly cruising with the ability to take smaller waves from time to time.
• 11’ and up : Long range cruising / training
• 12’6 and up : Training and racing, but also downwind riding.

The First range is our budget friendly range of inflatable boards, but do not be fooled by the name, the only cheap thing about them is their price. The construction truly is amazing at this price point, miles ahead of what you could find at your local supermarket.

First boards are perfect do discover the SUP and for recreational use but they can do much more thanks to their refined and well performing shapes. The Couine Marie range will be ideal to those who want to go further in their practice of SUP, or just want the best the industry has to offer.

The technology and materials used when manufacturing both First and I-SUP boards are different, but the materials used on First boards are still very high quality.

First boards are assembled with one layer on the deck and hull, and two layers on the rails which offers excellent rigidity.

I-SUP boards have a double thermo welded layer on the deck, hull and rails. It makes them even more rigid while still being very light.

The dropstitch used inside I-SUP board is a Woven Dropstitch : it is the best assembly technique of the inflatable world, for best in class performance, rigidity and lightness.

All GONG inflatable surfboards are user-friendly, practical, and durable. You’ll progress quickly and have a lot of fun with these boards. However, there are different programs and styles:

• The Compacts: Super reactive boards, perfect for soft waves.
• The Shortboards: Ideal for waves with a bit of power.
• The Longboards: Provide plenty of comfort and stability for small waves and noserides.

The I-SURF COMPACT is the ideal board for soft waves and steep shore breaks where a small board is needed to smoothly handle the slope. It paddles quickly for its size thanks to its thickness. At takeoff, you just need to push the tail slightly, and you’re off with just a few strokes. Its surfing qualities are impressive, with a very wide rear third that naturally generates a lot of speed for acceleration. Surprisingly, it turns very well thanks to its compact and playful size. Its performance in surfing is stunning for an inflatable board.

The I-SURF SHORTBOARD, with its generous volume, is super easy to use and will surprise you with its maneuverability and speed. This board encourages progression without any stress. It’s ideal for steeper or faster waves, but it’s also perfect for those who want to combine paddling speed with high maneuverability. Its versatility makes it suitable for most surf sessions.

The I-SURF LONGBOARD is the perfect board for long, soft waves, as well as for anyone looking to combine paddling speed with comfort. It’s the ultimate hassle-free board. Its wide range of use is mainly geared toward small waves, but it can also handle steeper conditions for experienced surfers.

Which model should you choose?

The Compact model is mainly aimed at advanced surfers. It’s an ideal travel board, taking up minimal space for transportation. It’s small enough to fit in an airplane, a car trunk, or even on the luggage rack of your SOLEX.

The Longboard and Shortboard models are primarily intended for beginners. The inflatable structure is extremely durable and resistant to impacts, making it very forgiving during the learning phase while significantly reducing the risk of injuries in case of collisions. This is the most affordable construction, ideal for starting out without breaking the bank.

• The 6’3 is suited for beginner to intermediate surfers with a light to medium build. It’s also great for heavier surfers with real surfing experience.
• The 7’3 is aimed at beginner to intermediate surfers with a medium to heavy build. It’s also fantastic for lighter surfers who want to start on a very comfortable yet maneuverable board. These two models are also the best choices for kids learning to surf.
• The 8’0 is for beginners of all builds looking for versatility.
• The 9’0 is for beginners of all builds who want a true longboard experience.

These boards have generous volumes, keeping you high on the water, which makes paddling easier.

The length of the board also depends on the wave size. For surfing 30 cm waves, the 8’ and 9’ boards are unbeatable, though these boards can handle much larger waves. For the smallest waves, a minimum hip-high wave size is required.

• The shape : I-SUP boards are declined in shapes tailored to every program (Surfing, cruising, racing) while First boards have a more all round shape (cruising, taking your first waves), a jack of all trade board of sorts.
• Accessories : On First boards, we removed some of the accessories such as the handles at the front and back. I-SUP boards are equipped with multiple handles to facilitate manipulations, be in on water or land and also more reassuring for kids who can grab onto them when accompanying you on a cruise. They are also equipped with a more confortable cargo net. Specific accessories also equip some of the boards, like semi-rigid rails at the tail for surfing or racing boards to allow for a better water flow at the back of the board, and increased control when surfing. Side FCS II fin boxes are also installed on our surfing models, which is a worldwide exclusivity. The placement of each fins will vary depending on the program.
• The carrying bag of the First boards is practical and durable, while the bag of I-SUP board is more feature-rich and premium. For example, the I-SUP bag is padded and has wheels to facilitate transportation. It also has a large front pocket to accommodate many accessories such as fins.
• The paddle : First packs come with an aluminum paddle that works great, while I-SUP packs come with a carbon/glass fiber paddle which is lighter, performs better and most importantly, that you will keep longer before you feel the need for a more advanced paddle.

In a nutshell :

The way you paddle, your stance and the frequency at which you paddle will depend on your program. You will need a longer paddle for touring for multiple hours, while you would need a shorter paddle for surfing in order to facilitate quick and strong paddle strokes to catch a wave. Take your time to pick the right length/setting for your paddle, because it will help give you the stability and performance you will need.

The included leashes in our First packs are high quality leashes that we use daily with our surf, SUP and surf foil / SUP foil. The length depends on the size of the board. We offer two types of leashes that are suited for multiple programs :

• A straight, surf type leash for First and Couine Marie shortSUP, Longboard and Allround. It is the perfect leash if you are planning to surf.
• A coiled leash for First Cruising , Couine Marie Cruising and Couine Marie Race. Ideal if you are not planning to surf.

Find all our ‘how-to’ guides here, which will help you start easily and progress quickly.

Need advice? Ask all your questions about equipment, techniques, directly on our forum.