What to Bring Stand Up Paddle Boarding
When you’re out on the water, there are a few things you’ll want to bring with you. These items aren’t just for comfort or safety, they can also be used to enhance your experience and make your time on the water more enjoyable.
Outfitting yourself with the right attire while stand-up paddleboarding can make all the difference in the world. While you may enjoy it year round, each season presents its own set of challenges when it comes to what you wear while paddle boarding. For example, a polar fleece tee shirt and long johns under your wetsuit can make all the difference on a cold, windy day. Meanwhile, a great hat and UV-protecting sunglasses will help keep your face protected from harsh rays and skin cancer-inducing sun damage alike. Most importantly make sure you are paddling with the right paddle board that is meant for you! If you aren’t sure which paddleboard is best for you then go check out some of our reviews like our Bluefin Cruise paddle board review.
Summer Paddle Board Gear & Clothing
Summer is the most carefree of seasons for paddleboarding, and the warm weather is the least demanding for suiting up for SUP. Even so, there are items you’ll need depending on where you’re paddling and what you plan to do on your board.
The most important thing in summer is sunscreen. Just because it’s a sunny day doesn’t mean that you don’t need protection from harmful rays. When I was growing up, we were told to wear hats and sunglasses when we sunned ourselves on the beach, but now I know that this isn’t enough. If you are going to be out in direct sunlight for more than an hour at a time, you should use SPF 30 or higher on any exposed skin.
The next most important thing is to drink plenty of water before and during your paddleboarding session so that you don’t get dehydrated. Paddle boarders should always hydrate before exercising, especially when it’s hot outside! You should also bring along some snacks with you on your paddleboarding trip so that if you get hungry while out there, you’ll have something healthy to eat instead of just stopping at McDonald’s or Burger King!
The gear you’ll need ( Some Optional ):
- A Paddle Board ( … not sure if I have to mention this one )
- and a paddle as well…
- Ankle Leash
- Bathing Suit or Board Shorts & long sleeve shirt
- Rash Guard
- Dry Bag if you bring items that can’t get wet
- Hat
- Footwear
- Towel
- Small First aid kit
- Insect Repellant
- PFD/Life vest
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen/Sun protection
- A Fully Charged cell Phone and a waterproof phone holder
- Water or Cough Cough Adult Drinks ( I still recommend bringing water as well! )
- A can-do attitude is always a great option as well!
Spring, Fall, or Winter Paddling Gear and Clothing
The most important thing to consider when dressing for the cold is your core temperature. As you get colder, your body will begin to shut down to preserve its energy, and the last thing you want is to lose control of your extremities or get hypothermia. The best way to avoid this is to keep your core warm by wearing a wetsuit or drysuit, which are extremely effective insulators due to their unique construction.
What is a Wetsuit?
A wetsuit is a neoprene suit that covers all of your body except for the head and hands. They provide excellent insulation in both warm and cold water, but they do not provide much protection from hypothermia. This makes them ideal for warmer conditions with temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius).
What is a Drysuit?
Drysuits are similar in design to wetsuits, but they use a layer of Gore-Tex or other waterproof material instead of neoprene. This allows them to keep water out while still providing excellent insulation without needing any special treatment before use.If you live in a cold climate, then it might make sense to get both types of gear just so that you have extra protection if need be during winter months when things can get really chilly out on the
The gear you’ll need ( Some Optional ):
- Wetsuit or Drysuit
- Rash Guard
- Neoprene top and shorts
- Dry Bag if you are bring items that can’t get wet
- Footwear
- PFD/Life Jacket
- Small First aid kit
- Paddling Gloves
- A Whistle
- A Fully Charged Phone and a waterproof phone holder
- Ankle Leash
Other Paddleboard Gear Items
Paddleboarding is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. It is possible to use a paddleboard for racing, surfing, stand-up paddling (SUP), touring, and even yoga. However, there are some additional gear items that you may want to bring depending on what type of paddleboarding you plan on doing.
If you are going on a camping trip, long day, surfing, or racing trip then consider getting these items:
Helmet: A helmet is important for safety when you are out on the water and can help protect your head from bumps or scratches from falls off the board or collisions with other boards or obstacles in the water such as rocks or docks.
Towline: This is a long rope that connects your board to another boat or another person who can help pull you back if something goes wrong and you fall off your board into the water.
GPS: For one thing, the GPS can help you track your progress and make sure that you don’t get lost in the water. You can also use it to find nearby landmarks or other people who might be able to help if something goes wrong.
Two-way Radio: When using a two-way radio, it’s important that everyone has one so they can hear what’s going on and respond accordingly. The best thing about having a two-way radio is that it keeps everyone connected so there aren’t any unnecessary distractions or problems arising due to miscommunication among members of the group!
Compass: A compass is your best friend when inflatable paddle boarding. It helps you find your way back to the beach, which can be especially important if you’re in an unfamiliar area. It tells you which direction to go if it’s been raining and the water level has changed, so that you don’t end up paddling further than you intended.
Knife: If you’re going out on the ocean, it’s always better to be prepared for anything. If you’re paddle boarding, you should definitely have a knife with you. A knife can be used to cut yourself free from tangled ropes or fishing line. It can also help you get out of your wetsuit if your life jacket becomes trapped underneath it. You never know how durable your inflatable paddle board is and you don’t want to get stranded somewhere without the right gear!
Phone Power Bank: Power banks are portable chargers for your phone or other devices so you can have your phone fully charged all day or for multiple days! I was able to keep my phone charged for 6 days with a 20,000 mAh power bank.
Make sure to always plan ahead
Paddling is an adventure. It’s a chance to get out of your comfort zone and explore the world around you. But before you jump in, it’s important to plan ahead.
One of the most important things you can do before boarding your paddle board is make sure you’re warm enough. If you don’t, you’ll regret it later when your hands or toes start to go numb and then turn blue—and that can be dangerous.
It’s much better to be too warm than too cold when you’re out on the water. You need to be prepared for everything that could happen while paddling, so make sure to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, snacks, and plenty of water with you on every trip.
