SUP instructor, racer and paddlesurfer Duncan Slater recommends nine of the best SUP accessories on the market right nowStand-up paddleboarding is a pleasingly simple activity: essentially all you need is a board and a paddle. But of course there is a little bit more to it, so some choice SUP accessories can improve your stand up paddleboard life.
\nMany boards \u2013 especially entry-level inflatable paddleboards \u2013 are sold as complete packages including paddle, pump, fin, sometimes more. But to keep the package price low and the perceived value high, these peripherals are often not of the highest quality.
\nOn the plus side, this gives scope to upgrade and really appreciate the difference.
\nYour paddle is a great place to start, as that\u2019s what you\u2019ll be swinging around several thousand times a session! \u00a0You might also consider a different size or shape of fin to suit your style.
\nFor safety, a good quality leash is a must, whereas a buoyancy aid is up to you. Plus it\u2019s worth having something waterproof to keep your phone in. If you have an inflatable board, you\u2019ll certainly want a decent paddleboard pump. And wearing the right clothing is vital too.
\nAnd to protect expensive boards and paddles, a paddle bag and board sock are both worth considering.
\nHere we look at SUP accessories \u2013 nine of the best paddleboard accessories for recreational stand-up paddlers\u2026
\nSUP accessories<\/p>\n
Starboard Enduro Paddle
\nThe paddle delivers power to your SUP, so of course it\u2019s one of the necessary SUP accessories rather than an optional extra.
\nBut actually, if you\u2019re upgrading from a complete entry-level or all-round package \u2013 which often comes with a cheap, heavy, 3-piece \u2013 investing in a new paddle will have an enormous positive impact on your paddleboarding.
\nA fixed one-piece paddle will always be lighter than an adjustable 2-piece or 3-piece. Better construction \u2013 usually with a higher carbon content \u2013 will be lighter still, and deliver power more efficiently as it will flex more dynamically.
\nThe Enduro from Starboard is a brilliant all-round blade and among the best paddleboard paddles on the market. Various sizes and constructions are available, and this \u2018UD Carbon\u2019 laminate offers superb value for money.
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\nBuy it now from Tri Ocean Surf
\nNote: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn\u2019t affect our editorial independence.<\/p>\n
K4 SUP Race Fin
\nAnother prerequisite for paddleboarding is a fin \u2013 without one, you\u2019d just go around in circles!
\nIn waves or on the racecourse your choice can have an appreciable impact on performance. Yet for most all-round paddling you\u2019d be hard pushed to tell the difference between two fins.
\nBasically, the longer and straighter a fin the more \u2018directional\u2019 it will be to help keep the board tracking straight. Whereas a smaller, more swept-back fin will make a board \u2018looser\u2019 and easier to turn.
\nAs long as your finbox is the \u2018classic\u2019 US screw-in type, there are plenty to choose from.
\nThis example from K4 is very much a flat-water fin, designed for racing but also brilliant for shedding weed thanks to its 45\u00b0 rake. Constructed in composite moulded material rather than carbon, it won\u2019t break the bank either.
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\nBuy it now from K4 Fins<\/p>\n
Red Paddle Coiled SUP Leash
\nThe last SUP accessories essential; a leash is an absolute must for safety in almost all paddleboarding situations.
\nAs long as you\u2019re attached to your board it will keep you afloat in case of emergency. If needs be you can always paddle home prone, like a surfer, much more safely than if you lost your board and had to swim for it.
\nUnless you\u2019re catching waves, a straight surfer\u2019s leash isn\u2019t ideal as it will trail in the water behind you and can get caught on all sorts of stuff.
\nHence a coiled leash, that will sit on the board until you need it to extend to it\u2019s full length, is the best option for most flat-water situations.
\nRed Paddle\u2019s coiled leash can either be worn around the ankle or just below the knee as a calf leash, for better access to the quick-release. (For fast flowing water, compatible waist belts are available.)
\n\u00a335.50
\nBuy it now from Red Paddle Co<\/p>\n
Palm Glide PFD
\nPaddleboarders should always wear a leash. (The arguable exception being in very fast-flowing water, when a buoyancy aid becomes the safety essential instead.)
\nHence PFDs \u2013 personal flotation devices \u2013 are an optional accessory for most.
\nIn practice, a bulky buoyancy aid can impede an effective stroke and ironically makes it more difficult to climb back onto your board if you\u2019ve fallen in. And beyond the learning stages, in flat-water conditions most paddleboarders are rarely in the water anyway.
\nFor peace of mind, a popular option is a \u2018waist-belt\u2019 PFD, such as this example, the Palm Glide.
\nMost of the time it will be unobtrusive and out of the way \u2026 until you need it! Then at the pull of a cord a CO2 cylinder provides instant flotation with a 100N pullover bladder.
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\nBuy it now from ebay<\/p>\n
OverBoard Waterproof Phone Case
\nTalking of safety, it\u2019s always good practice to carry a mobile phone on the water, just in case\u2026 Consider it an insurance policy in the very unlikely event that something goes wrong.
\nWhile some top-end phones are water-resistant these days, salt water really isn\u2019t good for them and regular immersion won\u2019t do your tech any favours.
\nIt\u2019s therefore wise to put your phone in a decent waterproof phone case \u2013 and this OverBoard is a trustworthy option.
\nAlthough many complete board packages come complete with a waterproof phone case, they\u2019re often not so well made and can soon develop leaks.
\nWhereas this is built to last; made from eco-friendly TPU fabrics and featuring OverBoard\u2019s trademark 100% waterproof \u2018Slide Seal System\u2019.
\n\u00a318.90
\nBuy it now from Amazon<\/p>\n
Red Paddle Titan II SUP Pump
\nIf you own an inflatable paddleboard, you\u2019ll soon get to know your pump very well indeed. Pumping by hand can feel like a chore, but actually it\u2019s quicker than electric inflation.
\nAs long as you consider it a warm-up and leave yourself enough time to inflate at a sensible pace before your paddle, it\u2019s really not so bad once you get used to it. A good quality pump does help though \u2013 and Red Paddle\u2019s Titan is the best out there.
\nNewly redesigned for 2022, the Titan II is a double-chamber pump. Use both barrels to get the volume into your board up to 5 or 6psi, then flick the switch to take it to the low-volume, high-pressure chamber and pump up to full pressure.
\nLook out for our feature on the best SUP pumps, both manual and electric, coming soon\u2026
\n\u00a384.95
\nBuy it now from Red Paddle Co<\/p>\n
Olaian Surf Poncho
\nChanging towels are ubiquitous in surfsports, and even if you don\u2019t tend to get wet whilst paddling this sort of garment is ideal for getting changed before or after a SUP too.
\nDecathlon\u2019s own-brand Olaian Surf Poncho is a great example of the genre.
\nThanks to stretchy underarm panels and hip cut-outs there\u2019s enough room inside to comfortably strip off, dry yourself on soft, 100% organically produced cotton, then climb back into your civvies \u2013 modesty intact!
\nObviously this isn\u2019t a garment to wear while actually paddling though. Look out for our forthcoming piece on what to wear whilst on the water \u2013 as well as before and after a SUP \u2013 coming soon\u2026
\n\u00a328.99
\nBuy it now from Decathlon<\/p>\n
ItiWit Paddle Cover
\nIf you\u2019ve opted to upgrade your paddle to a one-piece, particularly if you\u2019ve gone for a lightweight high-carbon option, a paddle bag is on the list of must-have SUP accessories to protect from knocks, scrapes and scratches.
\nDecathlon\u2019s own ItiWit brand offer a nice budget option. Fully padded for maximum impact resistance, it\u2019s a simple slide in with velcro closure to keep your blade in tip-top condition.
\nSuitable for paddles of up to 1.95m long, it\u2019s adjustable for shorter shafts with a rip-tab size adjustment strap. Constructed from Polyethylene with a Polyurethane coating, in grey with orange trim.
\nMaybe not the most prestigious brand, but does everything you need of a paddle bag.
\n\u00a324.99
\nBuy it now from Decathlon<\/p>\n
FatStick SUP Sock
\nPaddleboards are generally pretty robust \u2013 especially good quality inflatables. Yet if you\u2019re planning to leave a SUP aboard your boat it\u2019s wise to get a boardbag to keep it protected from the elements and your boat protected from the board.
\nOr if you\u2019ve invested in a solid waveboard, it\u2019s nice to have something to keep scratches at bay whilst you store or transport it.
\nA full-on paddleboard bag will offer maximum protection for delicate boards, yet in most situations a simple paddleboard sock should be more than enough.
\nThis SUP Sock from FatStick is 10\u20196\u201d long but will happily extend to 11\u2019+. With a protective nose cover and draw-cord closure, made from super-soft thick material it protects your board yet remains light and stretchy enough not to hinder carrying it.
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\nBuy it now from ebay<\/p>\n
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The post SUP accessories: the best paddleboard gear appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SUP instructor, racer and paddlesurfer Duncan Slater recommends nine of the best SUP accessories on the market right nowStand-up paddleboarding is a pleasingly simple activity: essentially all you need is a board and a paddle. But of course there is … <\/p>\n