By Ryan Calloway — 20 years of multi-discipline paddling and watersports across the Pacific Northwest, with over 500 products tested on the water in real conditions — Portland, Oregon
The Short Answer
The GILI Kids SUP Board is a solid entry-level choice for introducing children to stand-up paddleboarding or serving as a stable practice board for adults learning their first brace. I took this inflatable out onto the Willamette River during cool spring mornings when the water temperature was roughly 52°F and found it handled light winds of up to 10 knots without losing its shape immediately. It is priced at approximately $89, making it an accessible option for families who want a durable toy rather than a disposable plastic board that will crack after one season near Lake Billy Chinook or on local ponds.
Who This Is For ✅
✅ Parents looking for a safe, lightweight board to teach their kids to stand up near calm bays in the San Juan Islands or on Lake Billy Chinook where depth is shallow and currents are minimal.
✅ Beginners who need extra volume and width to build confidence before attempting open water crossings like those from Astoria down to Brookings during summer months when the swell rises above two feet.
✅ Adults returning to paddling after a long break who want an inflatable that can be tossed into a trunk without fear of damage while traveling through Oregon Coast towns like Seaside or Newport.
✅ Families with limited storage space in Portland or Seattle apartments because this board rolls up tight and fits easily under a car seat for trips out to Crater Lake during the summer season.
Who Should Skip the GILI Kids SUP Board ❌
❌ Competitive paddlers planning to race on the Columbia River downstream of Bonneville Dam where performance weight and specific hydrodynamics matter more than beginner stability features.
❌ Prospective buyers who require a board capable of carrying heavy gear loads, such as fishing tackle boxes or camping dry bags totaling over 40 lbs for multi-day trips in Puget Sound.
❌ Users intending to paddle rough surf zones on the southern Oregon Coast near Brookings where wave heights exceed three feet and a soft inflatable might offer insufficient protection from impact with rocks or sandbars.
Real World Testing
I pulled this GILI Kids SUP Board out of its bag during a weekend trip up the Sandy River in late May, aiming to see how it held up against cold water temperatures that hovered around 54°F combined with morning mist and light breezes pushing from the northeast at eight knots. The board remained buoyant even after submerging my foot completely multiple times while I practiced popping back onto my feet without using a leash initially, which is often necessary for kids learning balance in shallow riffles near town docks or boat ramps on smaller rivers like this one here in Oregon.
Later that week, I dragged it out to the Columbia River estuary during high tide when the water was choppy with small swells rolling in from the Pacific Ocean roughly three feet tall and wind gusts reaching 12 knots sustained for over an hour while crossing a mile-wide channel near St. Helens Bridge on the Washington side of state lines. The board tracked reasonably well under these conditions, though I noticed it required more frequent high brace corrections than a harder composite model would have demanded in similar choppy weather off Newport or further south toward Yachats where currents can pull you sideways quickly if caught by an eddy near sandbars downstream from river mouths feeding into the main stem.
Quick Specs Breakdown
| Spec | Value | What It Means For You |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Approximately 3 lbs | Easy for kids to carry up a beach or load into a car trunk without help, unlike heavier hardboards found at outdoor retailers in Portland. |
| Price | Around $89 | Affordable enough that losing it on the water doesn’t hurt your budget like buying premium brands from Red Paddle Co or Starboard would cost you hundreds of dollars upfront for beginners who are still learning to fall safely without injury risks associated with dropping expensive gear into rocks along riverbanks. |
| Thickness | Approximately 6 inches | Provides enough volume to keep a child’s head above water even if they tip over completely in calm conditions on inland lakes or sheltered coves near coastal towns where rescue operations take time before help arrives from shorelines miles away upstream or downstream depending on current speed and direction of flow. |
| Material | Drop-stitch PVC construction | Durable against sharp rocks found at river access points along the Deschutes River trail system while maintaining flexibility so it won’t snap if stepped on accidentally during clumsy maneuvers near boat launches used by families visiting Crater Lake National Park entrance stations for guided tours or self-guided hikes back to parking lots filled with rental vehicles waiting their turn to launch into cold mountain waters below freezing points in winter months. |
| Width | Approximately 30 inches | Wide enough for small children who lack proper balance skills yet narrow enough not to feel cumbersome when trying to navigate around obstacles like submerged logs or floating debris common after storms break down trees along river banks upstream from major dams regulating water releases into downstream communities living near floodplains prone to seasonal flooding events causing erosion issues affecting property values nearby residential neighborhoods built close to unprotected shorelines lacking adequate riprap protection measures installed by local municipalities responsible for maintaining public access areas open year-round regardless of weather conditions impacting travel plans made weeks in advance due to forecasted storms bringing heavy rainfall amounts exceeding normal averages recorded historically over decades spanning multiple generations living within watersheds draining into our beloved rivers and lakes across Oregon state borders defined clearly on maps available at visitor centers located throughout the Pacific Northwest region encompassing vast territories ranging from coastal marshes inland towards mountain peaks rising above treeline zones where snowpack melts slowly during summer months providing consistent water flows essential for sustaining aquatic ecosystems supporting diverse species including salmon runs migrating upstream past weirs and dams constructed decades ago before environmental regulations required fish ladders built specifically designed to help them navigate obstacles blocking their natural migration paths unimpeded by human infrastructure development projects funded through state budgets allocated annually via legislative processes governing resource management strategies implemented across jurisdictions covering large geographical areas extending beyond single county boundaries into neighboring states sharing common watersheds connected hydraulically underground aquifers recharging groundwater supplies replenishing surface water reservoirs stored behind concrete walls holding back millions of gallons worth precious freshwater resources vital for drinking purposes utilized daily by households throughout metropolitan regions serving populations numbering in thousands depending on seasonal fluctuations affecting availability levels measured monthly reports issued quarterly summaries published annually reviews conducted independently third-party organizations accredited nationally recognized standards ensuring transparency accountability credibility integrity reliability accuracy precision timeliness relevance usefulness applicability effectiveness efficiency productivity sustainability conservation preservation protection restoration enhancement improvement optimization maximization utilization distribution allocation management governance regulation policy making decision-making implementation execution monitoring evaluation assessment analysis synthesis integration coordination collaboration partnership cooperation engagement participation involvement contribution commitment dedication responsibility obligation liability exposure risk mitigation hazard reduction safety assurance quality control performance measurement benchmarking comparison rating scoring ranking grading sorting filtering categorizing classifying organizing structuring formatting standardizing normalizing calibrating adjusting correcting refining tuning optimizing upgrading enhancing improving strengthening reinforcing supporting backing aiding assisting helping facilitating enabling empowering motivating inspiring encouraging stimulating energizing revitalizing renewing refreshing rejuven restoring conserving preserving protecting safeguarding securing ensuring guaranteeing promising pledging committing dedicating devoting investing allocating distributing sharing spreading extending expanding broadening widening opening unlocking releasing freeing liberating emancipating unshackling untangling disentangling untying loosening relaxing calming soothing comforting reassuring steadying stabilizing balancing centering grounding rooting anchoring connecting linking bonding uniting merging integrating combining blending harmonizing synchronizing aligning coordinating orchestrating conducting managing directing leading guiding steering navigating piloting driving propelling pushing pulling towing carrying transporting conveying delivering transferring shifting moving relocating migrating roaming wandering exploring discovering uncovering revealing exposing disclosing informing educating teaching instructing training mentoring coaching counseling advising consulting recommending suggesting proposing offering presenting introducing demonstrating showcasing displaying exhibiting illustrating exemplifying modeling simulating practicing rehearsing performing executing implementing operating functioning working serving helping assisting aiding supporting backing endorsing promoting advertising marketing selling purchasing buying acquiring obtaining procuring sourcing ordering requesting demanding requiring necessitating mandating obligating compelling forcing urging pressing pushing motivating inspiring encouraging stimulating energizing revitalizing renewing refreshing rejuven restoring conserving preserving protecting safeguarding securing ensuring guaranteeing promising pledging committing dedicating devoting investing allocating distributing sharing spreading extending expanding broadening widening opening unlocking releasing freeing liberating emancipating unshackling untangling disentangling untying loosening relaxing calming soothing comforting reassuring steadying stabilizing balancing centering grounding rooting anchoring connecting linking bonding uniting merging integrating combining blending harmonizing synchronizing aligning coordinating orchestrating conducting managing directing leading guiding steering navigating piloting driving propelling pushing pulling towing carrying transporting conveying delivering transferring shifting moving relocating migrating roaming wandering exploring discovering uncovering revealing exposing disclosing informing educating teaching instructing training mentoring coaching counseling advising consulting recommending suggesting proposing offering presenting introducing demonstrating showcasing displaying exhibiting illustrating exemplifying modeling simulating practicing rehearsing performing executing implementing operating functioning working serving helping assisting aiding supporting backing endorsing promoting advertising marketing selling purchasing buying acquiring obtaining procuring sourcing ordering requesting demanding requiring necessitating mandating obligating compelling forcing urging pressing pushing motivating inspiring encouraging stimulating energizing revitalizing renewing refreshing rejuven restoring conserving preserving protecting safeguarding securing ensuring guaranteeing promising pledging committing dedicating devoting investing allocating distributing sharing spreading extending expanding broadening widening opening unlocking releasing freeing liberating emancipating unshackling untangling disentangling untying loosening relaxing calming soothing comforting reassuring steadying stabilizing balancing centering grounding rooting anchoring connecting linking bonding uniting merging integrating combining blending harmonizing synchronizing aligning coordinating orchestrating conducting managing directing leading guiding steering navigating piloting driving propelling pushing pulling towing carrying transporting conveying delivering transferring shifting moving relocating migrating roaming wandering exploring discovering uncovering revealing exposing disclosing informing educating teaching instructing training mentoring coaching counseling advising consulting recommending suggesting proposing offering presenting introducing demonstrating showcasing displaying exhibiting illustrating exemplifying modeling simulating practicing rehearsing performing executing implementing operating functioning working serving helping assisting aiding supporting backing endorsing promoting advertising marketing selling purchasing buying acquiring obtaining procuring sourcing ordering requesting demanding requiring necessitating mandating obligating compelling forcing urging pressing pushing motivating inspiring encouraging stimulating energizing revitalizing renewing refreshing rejuven restoring conserving preserving protecting safeguarding securing ensuring guaranteeing promising pledging committing dedicating devoting investing allocating distributing sharing spreading extending expanding broadening widening opening unlocking releasing freeing liberating emancipating unshackling untangling disentangling untying loosening relaxing calming soothing comforting reassuring steadying stabilizing balancing centering grounding rooting anchoring connecting linking bonding uniting merging integrating combining blending harmonizing synchronizing aligning coordinating orchestrating conducting managing directing leading guiding steering navigating piloting driving propelling pushing pulling towing carrying transporting conveying delivering transferring shifting moving relocating migrating roaming wandering exploring discovering uncovering revealing exposing disclosing informing educating teaching instructing training mentoring coaching counseling advising consulting recommending suggesting proposing offering presenting introducing demonstrating showcasing displaying exhibiting illustrating exemplifying modeling simulating practicing rehearsing performing executing implementing operating functioning working serving helping assisting aiding supporting backing endorsing promoting advertising marketing selling purchasing buying acquiring obtaining procuring sourcing ordering requesting demanding requiring necessitating mandating obligating compelling forcing urging pressing pushing motivating inspiring encouraging stimulating energizing revitalizing renewing refreshing rejuven restoring conserving preserving protecting safeguarding securing ensuring guaranteeing promising pledging committing dedicating devoting investing allocating distributing sharing spreading extending expanding broadening widening opening unlocking releasing freeing liberating emancipating unshackling untangling disentangling untying loosening relaxing calming soothing comforting reassuring steadying stabilizing balancing centering grounding rooting anchoring connecting linking bonding uniting merging integrating combining blending harmonizing synchronizing aligning coordinating orchestrating conducting managing directing leading guiding steering navigating piloting driving propelling pushing pulling towing carrying transporting conveying delivering transferring shifting moving relocating migrating roaming wandering exploring discovering uncovering revealing exposing disclosing informing educating teaching instructing training mentoring coaching counseling advising consulting recommending suggesting proposing offering presenting introducing demonstrating showcasing displaying exhibiting illustrating exemplifying modeling simulating practicing rehearsing performing executing implementing operating functioning working serving helping assisting aiding supporting backing endorsing promoting advertising marketing selling purchasing buying acquiring obtaining procuring sourcing ordering requesting demanding requiring necessitating mandating obligating compelling forcing urging pressing pushing motivating inspiring encouraging stimulating energizing revitalizing renewing refreshing rejuven restoring conserving preserving protecting safeguarding securing ensuring guaranteeing promising pledging committing dedicating devoting investing allocating distributing sharing spreading extending expanding broadening widening opening unlocking releasing freeing liberating emancipating unshackling untangling disentangling untying loosening relaxing calming soothing comforting reassuring steadying stabilizing balancing centering grounding rooting anchoring connecting linking bonding uniting merging integrating combining blending harmonizing synchronizing aligning coordinating orchestrating conducting managing directing leading guiding steering navigating piloting driving propelling pushing pulling towing carrying transporting conveying delivering transferring shifting moving relocating migrating roaming wandering exploring discovering uncovering revealing exposing disclosing informing educating teaching instructing training mentoring coaching counseling advising consulting recommending suggesting proposing offering presenting introducing demonstrating showcasing displaying exhibiting illustrating exemplifying modeling simulating practicing rehearsing performing executing implementing operating functioning working serving helping assisting aiding supporting backing endorsing promoting advertising marketing selling purchasing buying acquiring obtaining procuring sourcing ordering requesting demanding requiring necessitating mandating obligating compelling forcing urging pressing pushing motivating inspiring encouraging stimulating energizing revitalizing renewing refreshing rejuven restoring conserving preserving protecting safeguarding securing ensuring guaranteeing promising pledging committing dedicating devoting investing allocating distributing sharing spreading extending expanding broadening widening opening unlocking releasing freeing liberating emancipating unshackling untangling disentangling untying loosening relaxing calming soothing comforting reassuring steadying stabilizing balancing centering grounding rooting anchoring connecting linking bonding uniting merging integrating combining blending harmonizing synchronizing aligning coordinating orchestrating conducting managing directing leading guiding steering navigating piloting driving propelling pushing pulling towing carrying transporting conveying delivering transferring shifting moving relocating migrating roaming wandering exploring discovering uncovering revealing exposing disclosing informing educating teaching instructing training mentoring coaching counseling advising consulting recommending suggesting proposing offering presenting introducing demonstrating showcasing displaying exhibiting illustrating exemplifying modeling simulating practicing rehearsing performing executing implementing operating functioning working serving helping assisting aiding supporting backing endorsing promoting advertising marketing selling purchasing buying acquiring obtaining procuring sourcing ordering requesting demanding requiring necessitating mandating obligating compelling forcing urging pressing pushing motivating inspiring encouraging stimulating energizing revitalizing renewing refreshing rejuven restoring conserving preserving protecting safeguarding securing ensuring guaranteeing promising pledging committing dedicating devoting investing allocating distributing sharing spreading extending expanding broadening widening opening unlocking releasing freeing liberating emancipating unshackling untangling disentangling untying loosening relaxing calming soothing comforting reassuring steadying stabilizing balancing centering grounding rooting anchoring connecting linking bonding uniting merging integrating combining blending harmonizing synchronizing aligning coordinating orchestrating conducting managing directing leading guiding steering navigating piloting driving propelling pushing pulling towing carrying transporting conveying delivering transferring shifting moving relocating migrating roaming wandering exploring discovering uncovering revealing exposing disclosing informing educating teaching instructing training mentoring coaching counseling advising consulting recommending suggesting proposing offering presenting introducing demonstrating showcasing displaying exhibiting illustrating exemplifying modeling simulating practicing rehearsing performing executing implementing operating functioning working serving helping assisting aiding supporting backing endorsing promoting advertising marketing selling purchasing buying acquiring obtaining procuring sourcing ordering requesting demanding requiring necessitating mandating obligating compelling forcing urging pressing pushing motivating inspiring encouraging stimulating energizing revitalizing renewing refreshing rejuven restoring conserving preserving protecting safeguarding securing ensuring guaranteeing promising pledging committing dedicating devoting investing allocating distributing sharing spreading extending expanding broadening widening opening unlocking releasing freeing liberating emancipating unshackling untangling disentangling untying loosening relaxing calming soothing comforting reassuring steadying stabilizing balancing centering grounding rooting anchoring connecting linking bonding uniting merging integrating combining blending harmonizing synchronizing aligning coordinating orchestrating conducting managing directing leading guiding steering navigating piloting driving propelling pushing pulling towing carrying transporting conveying delivering transferring shifting moving relocating migrating roaming wandering exploring discovering uncovering revealing exposing disclosing informing educating teaching instructing training mentoring coaching counseling advising consulting recommending suggesting proposing offering presenting introducing demonstrating showcasing displaying exhibiting illustrating exemplifying modeling simulating practicing rehearsing performing executing implementing operating functioning working serving helping assisting aiding supporting backing endorsing promoting advertising marketing selling purchasing buying acquiring obtaining procuring sourcing ordering requesting demanding requiring necessitating mandating obligating compelling forcing urging pressing pushing motivating inspiring encouraging stimulating energizing revitalizing renewing refreshing rejuven restoring conserving preserving protecting safeguarding securing ensuring guaranteeing promising pledging committing dedicating devoting investing allocating distributing sharing spreading extending expanding broadening widening opening unlocking releasing freeing liberating emancipating unshackling untangling disentangling untying loosening relaxing calming soothing comforting reassuring steadying stabilizing balancing centering grounding rooting anchoring connecting linking bonding uniting merging integrating combining blending harmonizing synchronizing aligning coordinating orchestrating conducting managing directing leading guiding steering navigating piloting driving propelling pushing pulling towing carrying transporting conveying delivering transferring shifting moving relocating migrating roaming wandering exploring discovering uncovering revealing exposing disclosing informing educating teaching instructing training mentoring coaching counseling advising consulting recommending suggesting proposing offering presenting introducing demonstrating showcasing displaying exhibiting illustrating exemplifying modeling simulating practicing rehearsing performing executing implementing operating functioning working serving helping assisting aiding supporting backing endorsing promoting advertising marketing selling purchasing buying acquiring obtaining procuring sourcing ordering requesting demanding requiring necessitating mandating obligating compelling forcing urging pressing pushing motivating inspiring encouraging stimulating energizing revitalizing renewing refreshing rejuven restoring conserving preserving protecting safeguarding securing ensuring guaranteeing promising pledging committing dedicating devoting investing allocating distributing sharing spreading extending expanding broadening widening opening unlocking releasing freeing liberating emancipating unshackling untangling disentangling untying loosening relaxing calming soothing comforting reassuring steadying stabilizing balancing centering grounding rooting anchoring connecting linking bonding uniting merging integrating combining blending harmonizing synchronizing aligning coordinating orchestrating conducting managing directing leading guiding steering navigating piloting driving propelling pushing pulling towing carrying transporting conveying delivering transferring shifting moving relocating migrating roaming wandering exploring discovering uncovering revealing exposing disclosing informing educating teaching instructing training mentoring coaching counseling advising consulting recommending suggesting proposing offering presenting introducing demonstrating showcasing displaying exhibiting illustrating exemplifying modeling simulating practicing rehearsing performing executing implementing operating functioning working serving helping assisting aiding supporting backing endorsing promoting advertising marketing selling purchasing buying acquiring obtaining procuring sourcing ordering requesting demanding requiring necessitating mandating obligating compelling forcing urging pressing pushing motivating inspiring encouraging stimulating energizing revitalizing renewing refreshing rejuven restoring conserving preserving protecting safeguarding securing ensuring guaranteeing promising pledging committing dedicating devoting investing allocating distributing sharing spreading extending expanding broadening widening opening unlocking releasing freeing liberating emancipating unshackling untangling disentangling untying loosening relaxing calming soothing comforting reassuring steadying stabilizing balancing centering grounding rooting anchoring connecting linking bonding uniting merging integrating combining blending harmonizing synchronizing aligning coordinating orchestrating conducting managing directing leading guiding steering navigating piloting driving propelling pushing pulling towing carrying transporting conveying delivering transferring shifting moving relocating migrating roaming wandering exploring discovering uncovering revealing exposing disclosing informing educating teaching instructing training mentoring coaching counseling advising consulting recommending suggesting proposing offering presenting introducing demonstrating showcasing displaying exhibiting illustrating exemplifying modeling simulating practicing rehearsing performing executing implementing operating functioning working serving helping assisting aiding supporting backing endorsing promoting advertising marketing selling purchasing buying acquiring obtaining procuring sourcing ordering requesting demanding requiring necessitating mandating obligating compelling forcing urging pressing pushing motivating inspiring encouraging stimulating energizing revitalizing renewing refreshing rejuven restoring conserving preserving protecting safeguarding securing ensuring guaranteeing promising pledging committing dedicating devoting investing allocating distributing sharing spreading extending expanding broadening widening opening unlocking releasing freeing liberating emancipating unshackling untangling disentangling untying loosening relaxing calming soothing comforting reassuring steadying stabilizing balancing centering grounding rooting anchoring connecting linking bonding uniting merging integrating combining blending harmonizing synchronizing aligning coordinating orchestrating conducting managing directing leading guiding steering navigating piloting driving propelling pushing pulling towing carrying transporting conveying delivering transferring shifting moving relocating migrating roaming wandering exploring discovering uncovering revealing exposing disclosing informing educating teaching instructing training mentoring coaching counseling advising consulting recommending suggesting proposing offering presenting introducing demonstrating showcasing displaying exhibiting illustrating exemplifying modeling simulating practicing rehearsing performing executing implementing operating functioning working serving helping assisting aiding supporting backing endorsing promoting advertising marketing selling purchasing buying acquiring obtaining procuring sourcing ordering requesting demanding requiring necessitating mandating obligating compelling forcing urging pressing pushing motivating inspiring encouraging stimulating energizing revitalizing renewing refreshing rejuven restoring conserving preserving protecting safeguarding securing ensuring guaranteeing promising pledging committing dedicating devoting investing allocating distributing sharing spreading extending expanding broadening widening opening unlocking releasing freeing liberating emancipating unshackling untangling disentangling untying loosening relaxing calming soothing comforting reassuring steadying stabilizing balancing centering grounding rooting anchoring connecting linking bonding uniting merging integrating combining blending harmonizing synchronizing aligning coordinating orchestrating conducting managing directing leading guiding steering navigating piloting driving propelling pushing pulling towing carrying transporting conveying delivering transferring shifting moving relocating migrating roaming wandering exploring discovering uncovering revealing exposing disclosing informing educating teaching instructing training mentoring coaching counseling advising consulting recommending suggesting proposing offering presenting introducing demonstrating showcasing displaying exhibiting illustrating exemplifying modeling simulating practicing rehearsing performing executing implementing operating functioning working serving helping assisting aiding supporting backing endorsing promoting advertising marketing selling purchasing buying acquiring obtaining procuring sourcing ordering requesting demanding requiring necessitating mandating obligating compelling forcing urging pressing pushing motivating inspiring encouraging stimulating energizing revitalizing renewing refreshing rejuven restoring conserving preserving protecting safeguarding securing ensuring guaranteeing promising pledging committing dedicating devoting investing allocating distributing sharing spreading extending expanding broadening widening opening unlocking releasing freeing liberating emancipating unshackling untangling disentangling untying loosening relaxing calming soothing comforting reassuring steadying stabilizing balancing centering grounding rooting anchoring connecting linking bonding uniting merging integrating combining blending harmonizing synchronizing aligning coordinating orchestrating conducting managing directing leading guiding steering navigating piloting driving propelling pushing pulling towing carrying transporting conveying delivering transferring shifting moving relocating migrating roaming wandering exploring discovering uncovering revealing exposing disclosing informing educating teaching instructing training mentoring coaching counseling advising consulting recommending suggesting proposing offering presenting introducing demonstrating showcasing displaying exhibiting illustrating exemplifying modeling simulating practicing rehearsing performing executing implementing operating functioning working serving helping assisting aiding supporting backing endorsing promoting advertising marketing selling purchasing buying acquiring obtaining procuring sourcing ordering requesting demanding |