Paddleboarding Must Haves
Whether we’re paddling the salt river for just a few hours, or getting away for a weekend trip with our boards, these are the exact boards we use plus all the other things we bring almost everytime we take our paddleboards out.
Please note: Affiliate links (links that give me a small reward if you buy) are sprinkled in this post.
DAMA 10ft Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard – this is the exact board I have and it comes with everything you need including a dry bag and a kayak paddle, which I use more often than the one sided paddle. I’ve had mine for a year, and another friend of mine has the same one and it’s lasted her several years already. I’ve even brought my 9 year old son on this board with me and we had plenty of space.
Advenor Paddleboard – a friend of mine has this one and hasn’t had any issues with it. It’s $100 cheaper than my DAMA and a good budget option for your first board. Note that it doesn’t come with a dual sided paddle.
SereneLife Paddleboard – another good budget option (the cheapest one yet!), a friend of mine has had two of these for 3 years and it’s still going strong. Similar to the Advenor, it does not come with a kayak (dual sided) paddle.
Dry Bag – this is the one I would get if my board didn’t come with one
Dual Sided paddleboard paddle – this is what I would get if mine hadn’t come with one
Electrolyte Packets – LMNT or LiquidIV – I’ve used both, but these are a must especially in the Arizona heat. Add a packet to your water bottle as often as you need. I also like the Jigsaw brand in fruit punch but I don’t think they have packets? I did find this Berrylicious flavor but cannot vouch for the taste.
Detachable Paddleboard Seat – my friend has this and it’s on my list!
SereneLife SUP Air Pump – can you pump your board up by hand? Yes. Are you going to want to? Absolutely not. This pump is such a lifesaver and, while it’s not quiet, it not only holds a charge that can pump up 2 boards on one charge but it can also plug into your cigarette lighter in your car if you need more than that. It’s my most favorite paddleboard accessory and I will never be without it.
Onyx Universal Paddle Vest – this is the life jacket I use on my board. If you have a larger chest it will still fit you really well. Seen in the photos below.
Rash Guard for women – this is the rash guard I wear, it has 50 SPF and it absolutely protects from the intense Arizona sun. I am very fair skinned and this has kept me from burning many a times. I like to get it wet to cool myself down when it’s really hot out, and it dries quickly too. Seen in the pic below.
Lil Sucker Drink Suction Cup – this sounds silly, but these things are SO convenient if you like to enjoy a beverage or two while out on your board – they suction your drink right to your board so it doesn’t fall off. They can be used for a canned drink, plastic water bottles, or I’ve even used them for my 20 oz. Simply Modern water cup. They work great and can be reused over and over.
Emergency Whistle – safety first! This is a must for hiking, paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, whatever.
Women’s Water Shoes/Sandals – I bought these last year and they have worked great for me on multiple trips – they’ve been to Maui for hiking on the Road to Hana, the Salt River, and all my paddleboarding trips. They can get wet, they dry quickly and they’re comfortable to hike in, both on sand and dirt/rock terrain. You can peep them on the end of my board here.
Backpack Cooler – my kids have a zillion insulated lunchboxes so that’s what I usually bring to put some snacks and frozen water bottles in. However, if I needed to get a portable cooler, this is the one this is the one I would get so I could easily wear it like a backpack.
I also generally wear a baseball hat and cheapy sunglasses – no links for those as I just use whatever ones I have lying around my house – but highly recommend both for sun and eye protection, ESPECIALLY if it’s summer.
Whether it’s your first time on a paddleboard or your 100th, I hope the above list was helpful and please always remember to BE SAFE! Don’t paddleboard alone and please wear a life vest. If you have any questions about the gear listed above, or if you think I missed something important, please leave me a comment!