Stand Up Paddle Boarding is one of those activities that you can do on any body of water and almost any time of year. With Summer fast approaching make sure you are ready with all the gear you need to stay safe and have a blast on the water!
PFD
It is a law to have a US Coast Guard approved PFD with you at all times on your paddle board. In colder climates, it is law to be wearing your life jacket with the water temperatures during certain times of the year. In New England, October-June, life jackets are required to be worn. Here is a nice option for a certified PFD that will take up less space and still be effective in case of an emergency.
A waist pack PFD is a great way to reduce the bulky items on the deck of your paddle board. this option comes with a cartridge and works like the life vests you see on air planes. In order for this PFD to be effective in an emergency, you must open the waist pack and unfold the vest, place it around your neck and then pull the yellow tab in order to inflate. You may opt for the more traditional life vest as well which is recommended if you are not a strong swimmer.
Anchor
While it is not necessary or the law to paddle with an anchor, it is definitely an accessory that I love to have with me, especially for SUP yoga.
An anchor similar to this will provide enough hold so you can keep your board anchored in one place for an extended period of time. An anchor is helpful if you want to jump off of your board for a swim, if it is windy and you want to avoid drifting too far, or if you want to stop and take photos. It is ideal to have a line that is 15-25ft in length.
Leash
A SUP leash is an item that again is not essential or required to have but can help in emergencies. I love to have a leash for a couple of different reasons. If the winds pick up and the water gets choppy, a leash is great to have so you are attached to your board in case you fall off. Wind and choppy water can easily and quickly carry your board away from you. If you have a leash attached to your ankle your board will never drift far away. A leash can also come in handy in SUP Yoga to hold your paddle and create more space for you to zen out on your board.
Dry Bag
The last item on my essentials list is a dry bag. A 10-30Liter dry bag will be plenty to carry all of your personal items and keep them dry. You can carry your keys, phone, camera, binoculars, sunscreen, water bottle, and so much more. They easily clip on to your board at any D-ring attachment point and will even float as long as they are tightly rolled and closed properly.
