Are Paddleboards At Costco Any Good?

Paddleboarding is taking off, becoming more popular every day. If you’ve been strolling through the aisles of your local Costco and noticed paddleboards available there, you may wonder whether they are a good deal or a waste of money.

Are paddleboards at Costco any good? Paddleboards at Costco are some of the most affordable that you can find, averaging between $400 and $1,000. They aren’t bad beginner boards either, offering options for surfing, paddling, and even yoga. Whether you want to get out on the water by yourself or take the family, you’ll likely find the perfect board for you at Costco.

Here’s what you need to know about paddleboards at Costco, including the models you’ll find there, what they cost, and how to choose the best one for you. 

Are Paddleboards At Costco Any Good?

Costco is a cost-effective place to shop for all kinds of things, including things to help you get out on the water. But when it comes to paddleboards, is it worth investing in a Costco model or should you look elsewhere? 

You will likely find that a Costco paddleboard isn’t a bad idea at all, particularly if you want a decent paddleboard without having to spend too much.

Another advantage of a Cosco board is that you can pick one up from the store and get out on the water without having to wait for it to be shipped to you. You’ll also be able to avoid shipping costs. 

How To Pick A Good Paddleboard At Costco

Unfortunately, user reviews on Costco’s website may not be very helpful for you. Many beginner paddleboard enthusiasts purchase a Costco board, and they may not have much to compare their experience to.

Therefore, you’ll end up with the reviewer’s general opinion on paddleboarding, which is likely to be positive, as opposed to a review on a particular paddleboard.

They may also provide incorrect information, like saying that a foam board is better than fiberglass. Here’s what you really need to know about the paddleboards typically available at Costco stores:

Wavestorm

The Wavestorm is an intro-level paddleboard that is priced affordably at around $480. You will only find this board at Costco. It is a foam board with a soft top that is easy on the feet. 

Instead of being covered with fiberglass like some more expensive options, it is covered in a proprietary plastic skin that enables good grip. The downside of this construction is that it isn’t as durable as fiberglass options.

If you happen to pop a leak in a Wavestorm board, that will be the end of the board. On the other hand, as long as it doesn’t get any leaks, this board performs quite well in the water.

This probably isn’t the best board for surfing onto a rocky shore or going down river rapids, but it is a fine board for everyday paddling across calm water.

It’s a great option for people who weigh 195 lb or less, but isn’t a great choice for anyone who weighs more than that or if you want to have multiple people on the board.

In summary, if you weigh less than 195 lb and want a board for paddling on calm water, the Wavestorm can be a great affordable beginner option for you. Just be careful not to poke a hole in it. 

Body Glove Performer

There are a number of Body Glove options marketed by Costco, the Performer being one of the most popular. It is a very affordable entry-level paddleboard costing about $400. Body Glove is a fairly popular brand that has been around for a while. 

The Performer is a hybrid design that is inflatable, which makes it a very convenient option especially when it comes to storing the paddleboard. The hull is designed like a displacement hull, which makes it stiffer and enables it to perform better than many other inflatables. 

Unfortunately, the small, fixed fins do not provide a lot of traction in the water. Conveniently, this board comes with everything you need to get going. It even comes with the pump to inflate it.

The hose has a tendency to come off, but by wrapping plumbers tape around the attachment point you can easily solve this problem. 

Body Glove Oasis

Want to do yoga out on the water? The Body Glove Oasis is the paddleboard you are looking for. At around $430, this is certainly not the most affordable yoga accessory around. However, it does give you the opportunity to go for a fun paddleboard trip before or after your yoga session. 

This is a big board coming in at 10 feet long and 34 in wide. It is completely covered in a traction pad to give you a good grip while you’re doing yoga.

A PVC platform makes this board fairly durable, but it is certainly not designed to take many hard hits, so it is best for paddling in calm water. 

Scott Burke

This is one of the more expensive boards offered by Costco, and it looks like it should cost more too, with its sleek composite wood appearance.

Expect to pay around $700 for this board. This is a primarily fiberglass board with an outer covering of ABS plastic. 

While it may not move as smoothly across the water as a more expensive fiberglass board, it is quite durable. If you want to tackle surfing with your paddleboard or try going through some rapids, this may be the right board for you.

It is also extremely light, making it very easy for you to move both on and off the water. Many fiberglass boards have layers of epoxy to weigh them down, whereas this one has light plastic instead. 

It features a convenient inset handle to let you carry it down the beach very easily. A universal camera mount on the nose of the board is the ideal place to stick a GoPro or waterproof phone. It also comes with a board bag so that you can easily transport the board. 

If you’re just getting started with paddleboards and don’t want to spend an arm and a leg but want a board that can really accomplish what you want it to, this might be a great choice for you.

Body Glove Crusader

Do you want to get everyone in your family or a couple of friends out on the water at once? This may be the board for you. It isn’t cheap, costing around $1,000 at Costco, but it does provide entertainment for four to six people at once.

It is also inflatable, which means you can easily store it out of the way when you’re not using it. It can handle as many as 1,000 lb, which is how it can manage to fit so many people on it. It is also much wider than the average paddleboard: 66 in wide. It is also 15 feet long. 

This means that you can get the whole family including the family dog out on the water and have a great time.

This board is stiff enough that it can handle some surf, even with several people on board. However, like most inflatable boards, you don’t want to scrape it up on a rocky shore. 

It does have double-layered side walls and a triple-layer stringer construction that is designed to hold up as well as it can, but it still won’t take a hit like a fiberglass board would. What this board is really made for is cruising.

Features like cooler tie-downs let you bring some refreshments along. You can even bring a small anchor and use it as a platform out on the water.

How Much Are Paddleboards At Costco?

Paddleboards at Costco are some of the most affordable paddleboards you are likely to find. They range between $400 and $1,000 and offer some features that you may expect to pay considerably more for if you are shopping elsewhere. 

For instance, while you’ll pay around $1,000 for the Body Glove Crusader at Costco, you can expect to pay double that if you buy directly from the brand, which makes it clear that shopping at Costco isn’t a bad idea at all when it comes to paddleboards.

Board	Average Rounded Price
Body Glove Crusader 4-6 Person 15′ Inflatable Paddleboard Package	$1000
Scott Burke 10’6″ Atlantic Composite Stand-Up paddleboard	$700
Body Glove Tandem 15′ Inflatable 2 Person Paddleboard	$600
Body Glove 10’6” Explorer SUP Board	$530
Wavestorm 10’6″ SUP-KAYAK Paddleboard	$480
Body Glove Oasis 10′ Inflatable Stand Up paddleboard Package	$430
Hyperlite Elevation 10’2″ Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard Package	$400
Body Glove Performer 11′ Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard Package	$400

Have Fun With A Costco Paddleboard

A Costco paddleboard could be the perfect option for you if you’re looking to get into this hobby at a reasonable price.

If you like a board offered by Costco, it is definitely worth purchasing it from Costco instead of somewhere else, as you’ll probably get the best prices at Costco.