This is a GREAT first paddleboard, especially if you have kids. It's amazingly sturdy and stable in the water. The board surface is super soft, and with the rounded edges, it makes a great launching pad for the kids (mine are 10 and 13) to dive into the water, play pirate, King of the Paddleboard, do somersaults and cartwheels, fall off the board and climb back on, all without getting hurt. That being said, with all the abuse (I mean *love*) these boards get, one of our two boards has sprung a small leak near the air valve which I haven't figured out how to fix yet. But since it still inflates each day and lasts for hours, I'm not too concerned right now.
For me, I love to do light paddling and lounge on the board. If you like fast paddling for fitness or touring it may not be the best choice. Plus,it's not very efficient in the wind. But the convenience of being able to roll it up and store it for the winter or for summer travel, it's certainly worth the trade-off. Highly recommended!!
Pros
Convenience
great for kids
soft surface for lying/playing on the board
very stable in the water
Cons
not very fast
Usage
recreational use and exploring
