The wide, stable board is perfect for lounging on. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Some days when you hit the water to stand up paddle, the goal is to paddle far. Other times, it’s to paddle fast. And from time to time, the only thing on the agenda when you paddle out is to simply chill. If you’re after the latter, the Pelican Loungeboard ($599) just might be the perfect board for you.
The Loungeboard is a beast, measuring 9′ x 39″ x 6.1″. At 39 inches wide, it is one of the widest boards I’ve ever come across and, as a result, one of the most stable. Because of its insane stability, the Loungeboard is great for yoga, paddling with kids, or simply lounging. Read on to learn about my experience with this unique board.
Bottom Line: The Pelican Loungeboard is one of the most stable inflatable stand up paddle boards you will ever come across. Because of its size, it’s a bit sluggish, but it is also incredibly stable, making it well suited for yoga, pilates, paddling with kids/dogs, or simply hanging out.
check price on AmazonRelated: Best Inflatable Paddle Boards | Best Stand Up Paddle Boards
| Pros | Cons |
| Insanely stable | Slow and sluggish |
| High weight capacity | The paddle doesn’t lock in place well |
| Grippy deck pad covers the entire board | Bungee tie-down straps don’t come installed |
Testing the Loungeboard in Dana Point
Size Tested: 9′ x 39″ x 6.1″
Weight (Board): 19.5 lbs
Weight Capacity: 400 lbs
Material: PVC
To put the Loungeboard to the test, I spent some time testing it near my childhood home in Dana Point, California. We took turns paddling it on our own, with my dog, did strength workouts atop it, and even attempted yoga on it.
The board arrived via mail, so I got the full experience of unboxing it, inflating it, and setting it up. At the end of our paddles, we deflated the board and repacked it in its backpack, always ready for the next adventure.
I am a very experienced paddler with over a decade of paddling and racing experience. My sister is a novice paddler, so we were able to test and experience the board from two different perspectives. Neither of us is strong in yoga, but we do know basic poses and had fun attempting them while floating on water.
The Loungeboard is quick and easy to set up. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
What I Love About the Loungeboard
Simple Set Up
I love getting new toys and outdoor gear, but what I don’t love is when setting them up is a mission and requires reading the instruction manual and pulling your hair out along the way. Luckily, setting up the Loungeboard is straightforward. The board includes a hand pump, and because it’s such a big board, it definitely takes some work to get it inflated, but you can think of it as a bonus workout (or purchase an electric pump if you’re not a fan). From there, you simply insert the fin, which locks in place, and you’re ready to roll. If you wish, you can attach the included bungee tie-down straps for storing extra gear.
The high capacity means it can support large paddlers, or you can paddle tandem with kids, your dogs, or with a friend. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
High Capacity
On top of being stable, the Loungeboard can support up to 400 pounds, making it a great option for larger paddlers or for paddling tandem. Because this board is so stable, it’s a great board for paddling with children or a dog, and the high weight capacity means you can even paddle with two adults aboard if you wish. When you don’t feel like paddling, it’s a fun spot for a water-top picnic with a friend, loved one, or your children. The board also includes an island connect accessory that you can use to connect your board with other boards, if you want to make a party of it.
The Loungeboard features a wide, stable design that is perfect for beginners, yogis, and loungers. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Wide, Stable Design
Measuring 9′ x 39″ x 6.1″, the Loungeboard has a unique shape. It’s much shorter and wider than most paddle boards and is also significantly more stable. Paddling the Loungeboard feels like you’re standing atop a boat; it’s that stable. It’s incredibly easy to balance on and easier to move around on than most boards, which is why it works well for yoga, pilates, and strength training. Its stability makes it a good pick for beginners or larger riders who struggle with balance.
The grippy deck makes the board ideal for yoga and core workouts. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Grippy Deckpad
On the Loungeboard, the deckpad spans the entire deck of the board. Normally, you wouldn’t find yourself on the tail or nose of your board, but if you’re doing yoga or paddling with a dog or kid, it’s nice to have grip everywhere. The deckpad is soft and comfortable underfoot, and my dog had a blast running up and down the board, nose to tail, rail to rail.
Pups are fans of the grippy deckpad as well. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Drawbacks
The Loungeboard is not a good board for covering any significant distance. It’s extremely slow and sluggish through the water. The extra-wide design is incredible for stability, but it does make paddling more challenging as you have to take extra-wide strokes. This wouldn’t be a great choice if you’re looking to cover any real distance. That being said, the Loungeboard was created with yoga and lounging in mind, and it nails that brief perfectly, so consider the type of paddling you plan on doing before purchasing.
Another issue I encountered with the Loungeboard was the paddle. The paddle is adjustable, which is great, but it doesn’t lock in place well. As I paddled, the shaft of the paddle kept slipping back down to its lowest height, making paddling even more challenging.
Finally, the Loungeboard comes with bungee straps that you can attach to the nose of your board for storing gear. I love having bungee straps on my board for stashing essentials. The only downside to these bungee straps is that they don’t come already installed, and I found it a bit challenging to figure out the correct way to get them set up. It’s a small detail, but worth noting.
No better place to do yoga than atop a paddle board. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
The Competition
If the Loungeboard is a little too much board for you but you’re still seeking stability, the NRS Jukdo is a solid option. The Jukdo measures 11’ x 36” x 6”, so it’s a little longer and narrower than the Loungeboard. Because of this, you lose a little bit of stability, but you gain speed and maneuverability. The Jukdo will cost you $1,095 as opposed to the Loungeboard at $599.
If you’re searching for a more versatile board, the ISLE Explorer 3.0 took the prize for the best all-around inflatable paddle board in our The Best Inflatable Paddle Boards guide. The Explorer measures 11′ 6″ x 32″ x 6″ and is the perfect blend of speed, stability, and maneuverability. The Explorer also has compatible accessories you can purchase to transform it into a kayak. The Explorer rings in at $795, so it’s only a bit more expensive than the Loungeboard.
The Pelican Loungeboard. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a sleek, stable board capable of covering long distances, the Loungeboard isn’t it. But, if you’re in the market for an insanely stable board well suited for beginners, tandem paddlers, and yogis, the Loungeboard might be the perfect board for you. Measuring 9′ x 39″ x 6.1″, the Loungeboard has a unique footprint that allows it to serve as a stable platform. With a deckpad running the entire length of the board, it’s grippy and stable enough for whatever activity you choose to throw its way.
check price on AmazonEditor’s Note: For more options, including hardboards, here’s our overall Best Paddle Boards Review. Or if you want to check out other inflatable boards, take a look at our Best Inflatable Paddle Boards Guide. We’ve also reviewed The Best SUP Paddles and The Best Lifejackets for Paddleboarding. Need something to wear when paddling? Here’s our guide to The Best Board Shorts, The Best Sun Hats, and The Best Rashguards. For more paddling gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.
