Gear Up With The Right SUP Essentials

The good news is that once you’ve made your initial investment and purchased a good stand up paddle board there isn’t too much else you need to get.

In fact many SUP’s come with a complete package to get you on the water quickly.

Often ISUP packages will include:

• A paddle
• A storage/transport bag
• Fins
• Leash
• Repair kit
• Hand pump

If your package came with these essentials then there are only a few more items to consider.

1. PFD
2. Dry Bag
3. Electric Pump
4. Whistle
5. Sunscreen/Sunglasses/Hat
6. Upgraded Paddle
7. Landing Mat

For cold weather paddling you’ll need a few extra items. If you’ll be paddling in cold temperatures then check out our Cold Weather SUP Paddling Tips.

PFD

The most important item you’ll need to purchase if you don’t already have one is a PFD (personal flotation device).

If you have a regular life jacket already you can go ahead and use that. I would especially recommend a good life jacket if you are not a strong swimmer.

However there are other PFD options that work great for stand up paddling that don’t restrict movement and work well in hot weather.

Safety Note: Be smart when out on the water. S*** happens. I have read a few stories in the news over the years about paddle boarders who either drown or get themselves into trouble because they weren’t wearing a PFD.

Be aware of the elements and respect Mother Nature. She’s a lot stronger than we are. Protect yourself with a decent PFD and make sure you wear it, especially when ocean paddling and when dealing with tides.

With that said here are my top 4 PFD choices for paddle boarding. I have used all four of these PFD’s over the years and have a good feel for their pros and cons.

For longer ocean paddles and especially when paddling in cold temperatures I often use a regular life jacket for added protection.

DRY BAG

The only company I know of that includes a dry bag in their package is Hero SUP, which is awesome.

If you don’t have one be sure to get one as you’ll definitely need it to store your keys, phone, snacks, etc.

There’s a ton of great well-priced dry bags to choose from at Amazon.com.

I normally use the 10L size, which can hold my phone, car keys, sunscreen and camera but for longer days on the water I use the 20L bag, which can hold a towel, extra layers, etc.  Both are really good sizes to own.

ELECTRIC PUMP

Your inflatable SUP will come with a hand pump that most likely works quite well.

However if you would like to conserve your energy for the water then an electric pump is a smart purchase.

I have tried several, including a few different air compressors, which didn’t work well.  My advice is to go for a SUP specific electric pump.  This one is my favourite!

The SUP electric pumps are powerful and do an efficient job at inflating your board up to 15 PSI.

They don’t necessarily get the job done any faster but it’s definitely a whole lot easier, particularly if you have more than one board to inflate.

Once you’ve tried an electric pump it’s hard to ever go back to manually pumping. 🙂

WHISTLE

In some areas it is required to have a whistle with you when out on the water.

I would suggest attaching a whistle to your PFD then it’s always with you and you don’t have to think about it.

It’s such a simple thing but so effective at getting attention if you ever find yourself in trouble.  This one at Amazon is awesome.  You can get a 2-pack for a super low price.

UPGRADING YOUR PADDLE

If you become a SUP addict as we all tend to do or if you want to go for longer, faster rides then you might want to consider upgrading your paddle down the road.

Some ISUP packages come with a 3-piece paddle, which is just fine to use for most recreational paddle boarders and ideal to take traveling.

However a nice carbon one-piece or 2-piece paddle is a luxury you’ll love if you ever try one.  I have a couple of good Werner SUP paddles that feel amazing to use.

They are extremely light weight allowing me to go further with far less shoulder and arm fatigue.

I have a few paddle reviews on this site but truly there are a ton of good options out there.

An all carbon fiber paddle will take your paddle boarding experience to another level and allow you to paddle further with less effort.

LANDING MAT

NIXY has a great Landing Mat that is ideal for keeping your board and accessories clean and protected when inflating and deflating your board.

I find that after paddling when the board is all wet it can be difficult to dry it off and clean it properly when deflating and storing it back inside the carry bag.

The NIXY landing mat is very effective at solving that problem.  It is water resistant and sand proof and I find that debris easily shakes off the mat.

It weighs only 8 oz and folds up into a small carrying bag.  It’s a great accessory that can really be used for a multitude of purposes.

Besides keeping your board clean and safe from sharp objects on the ground it can also be used as a mat at the beach or along the shore when stopping for lunch.  It is also idea for camping.

Click here for our full review of the NIXY landing mat for more details.

SUNSCREEN/SUNGLASSES/HAT

I think these are fairly obvious but worth mentioning anyway. All things you likely already have, they are important to bring out with you when paddling in warm weather.

The sun can be really strong when it reflects off the water. I’ve gotten burnt even on cloudy days when I didn’t even think about sunscreen.

I would advise always bringing along extra sunscreen for protection, a hat to shade your head and sunglasses to deal with the glare from the water and I’d never survive without a bottle of water.  Paddling is sweaty work!

Once you’re geared up with the right stuff you are sure to have a safe yet fantastic time on the water!