Bodyboards or iSUP? UK beach holiday content

I'm not somebody to ask because I think a SUP on flat water turns a dull day into a really dull day. A SUP in surf is a different matter but you need to get a rigid for that, plus it's a long and steep learning curve. I went to Costa Rica for 2 weeks on the world's best SUP beach, with an expert teacher and still didn't get good.
I'd vote for getting good-ish quality bodyboards. Fun in all conditions (including Playa Avellanas).

At least four bodyboards as you need to get in there too.
Do they have wetsuits and shoes/wetsuit socks? that is where the rest of the budget should go. Only shorties with the budget.

We got one of those £200 Lidl SUP’s last year and have used it loads. Live nowhere near the coast but take it to local reservoirs and also when we go away in the uk eg camping river wye, scotland last summer.
It’s me and the missus mainly. Kids are grown up and will have a play if they are around.
You need one each though. It’s boring watching someone else using one. Unless they fall in a lot. So last weekend we got a second from decathlon. They currently have 2 boards on offer for £200. 10’ or 11’. We got the big one. Doesn’t come with a paddle or pump though so not as good a deal as the Lidl one. A paddle was £19 I think.
We are taking them to Northumberland this weekend to use on the river coquet at amble. Taking daughter and her boyfriend with us and have booked to hire 2 more at a water sports place at a lake for a couple of hours on Saturday.

Pros- really great fun. Relaxing exercise and easy to get the hang of. Pump up in 10 mins or so.
Cons- they take up a LOT of space in the car. And the house for that matter. Fair effort to inflate. Seems to be only me that can do that bit. General faff getting out and putting away may not be worth it for a short paddle.

Tldr- maybe see about hiring a sup for a couple of hours?
In the sea with kids I’d be going for body boards. They can carry their own and less fuss involved.

Edit-this one:
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/x100-11-ft-inflatable-touring-stand-up-paddle-board/_/R-p-303064

Buy the paddle boards and a sup hire session in Borth or Aberdyfi.

Do they have wetsuits and shoes/wetsuit socks? that is where the rest of the budget should go. Only shorties with the budget.

Yeah, they've all got shorties and full length cheap ones that keep them in the water for long enough.
On the other hand I don't have a beach friendly body and look like a large chubby seal in a wetsuit so I've never looked much in to them. Might have to invest in a neoprene top and maybe gloves though as my hands always seem to get cold.

Thanks for the other replies so far. It's definitely swaying towards bodyboards at the moment.

Bodyboards for sure. As you say gets rid of potential for endless arguments. Also SUPs at the coast are a bit dodge to say the least. Let's just say that the RNLI / coastguard are ambivalent at best about them. Combination of winds and tides can be very dangerous

I'd say not the sup. They're only really useable* in flat water with no wind. Which will be almost none of the time.

Bodyboards would be more inherently safe because you'd have to try really hard to sit on one and get blown out to sea (rips notwithstanding).

* To beginners, before someone posts photos of the Round Sheppey or something.

Body boards then everyone can play.

At that age I would not want my kid out on their own on a SUP with currents etc. Fine if you are all out together you are to hand if anything goes wrong, not at the shoreline. 1 between 3 may cause arguments etc.

3 body boards  sound better. I got 2 plus good bag etc for mine and we all use them. I got them from 2 bare feet at a decent price delivered. I went a size or 2 up for them and glad I did as they have grown so much since last year and they are big enough that mum and dad can have a go.

Decent body boards for sure.

I'm a pretty keen paddleboarder who's done quite a bit of sea kayaking, surfing at the like. I take a lot of care if I ever take it on the sea - I'm a strong paddler and it doesn't take much wind, waves and current to turn it into an arse clenching struggle. You should also factor in buoyancy aids into your iSUP cost calcs. I know it's fashionable not to wear them but a) it'll stop you drowning if you lose the board b) it stops you going so far under when you fall in, which will be often if the wind and waves get up.

Definitely bodyboards. Nothing more frustrating than taking it in turns when the waves are up, plus even inexperienced people on rubbish waves can get great rides on a bodyboard. A 2 ft peak looks like a monster when you're down at water level.
Have a great trip.

Bodyboards if going to a beach with a bit of surf, if there's no surf they're just an over-sized swimming float

We have bodyboards and an iSUP. I know, get me!!

We do use the SUP but nowhere near as much as the bodyboards, kids will even play with them when there's no waves. Deffo get bodyboards.

Get yourself one as well though.

Definitely decent (not trash that junks up the oceans) bodyboards. Should be well within your budget.

In a similar predicament..

We’re going to Croyde camping with the kids. I SUP quite often, but on rivers, and I used to be a very keen bodyboarder (still have a nice NMD in the loft somewhere). Agreed with above, without doubt bodyboards are the way to go in this scenario.

Anyone have recommendations for kids bodyboards?? They sell these inflatable bodyboard/surf mats in Decathlon, they might be good for kids messing about, plus take up less space in the car.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/beginner-inflatable-bodyboard-compact-25kg/_/R-p-325044

Surf mats used to be a thing years ago

Thanks all. Definitely going to be bodyboards. Completely agree with all the safety concerns and iSUPs in the sea, might have to plan for something more Lakes based next year to justify that one.

Next question.... best beaches for body boarding near Aberystwyth?

Completely agree with all the safety concerns and iSUPs in the sea,

We took ours to a local beach one evening last summer, on probably our second attempt at it. There was a brisk off-shore wind. There were SUPs everywhere. I'm a competent swimmer and we're all used to the water. We all surf, kayak, bodyboard, whatever, apart from my wife who doesn't tend to get her head wet. 😀

When the wind caught the board, with my wife on it, she was blown out to sea faster than I could get to her. I also watched as the same happened to 3 teenaged girls. Thankfully, this beach is very, very shallow for a long way out and they were all able to jump off and tow the SUPs back into shore, but the outcome could be very different.

Let’s just say that the RNLI / coastguard are ambivalent at best about them. Combination of winds and tides can be very dangerous

I know someone I used to work with had to call the RNLI as she was being blown out too quickly. She surfs regularly.

@pocpoc - I have a 3 lightly used bodyboards complete with bag that I am looking to get rid of, message me if you interested and I will send you photos and sizes etc.

I know someone I used to work with had to call the RNLI as she was being blown out too quickly.

Last summer I brought a number of paddleboarders back tot the beach in my boat as they had been caught out either by the tide or an offshore breeze many people underestimate these - especially the latter.

One of the ladies I picked up was very embarrassed - her husband is on the lifeboat crew!!

cheers @mwab65 - I've sent you a message.

Kids have these Linky

Lots of colours to pick from, which is important is you are an 11 year old. She went for some sort of Hawaiian pink flower design eventually.

I've got an older Osprey Interceptor which cost quite a bit more about, yet the quality is the same.