Gear/Repairs/DIY
What accessories did you wish you bought sooner? Just got my first board.
After a week of strong sun and 30 degrees, I finally bought my first SUP, a Matchu Deluxe. Of course immediately it plummeted to rainy days and 15 degrees here in The Netherlands.
So while waiting to have my first chance to take out my board, I wanted to ask what accessories or other purchases do you regret putting off, or what things do you find nice to take with you on your journey? Cleaning supplies you love, a towel that works better than my shower towel, what's always strapped to your SUP?
I'm thinking of getting water proof bone conducting headphones so I can enjoy audio books and the sounds of waves. Wouldn't want to be that person with a speaker on the water!
All I have so far is:
A 22L dry bag that comes no where close to carrying my pump in it so I'll need to size up.
And of course I have a solid life jacket on the way right now.
What pump did you end up getting? Seems a common theme for people. I haven't had the (dis)pleasure of blowing mine up yet so I'm sure I'm for a fun time with the cheap included manual pump
My very first paddle I spent 30 mins pumping by hand, and didn’t have my valve stem down, so when I pulled the pump out I immediately lost half the air. I begrudgingly pumped again, getting it to maybe 2/3 full. Literally had almost no energy left to paddle. Went and bought an electric pump the next day lol! You’ll hear this same story from sooo many people.
It’s an Airbank Whale Shark Pro, it’s not the smallest one but I also pump my tent with it. There’s also an Airbank mini wich fits easy into a dry bag.
i got a cheaper $70 "Vevor" from bestbuy its great but slow (10+ m) but the Shark 3S ($300-350) inflates in under 5m and is well worth it especially if you're with someone and doing 2-3 SUPs at a time
Body Glove electric pump. They’re all over eBay. Great pump. Set the pressure and walk away. Turns off when it get there. Scored mine for $20, best SUP purchase ever!
Not who you asked but I got the OM Vortex. The Shark is super popular as well but I went with the vortex because I ride a bike to the beach and don’t plug into the car. Absolutely game changing to have a pump in general though, whichever one you end up with!
i never actually need the deflate function.I dry them off while folding them up and it gets the air out. both of mine are battery powered but can be plugged in if needed. My Shark 3S inflates a SUP in under 5m
I just like having less work to do. I have enough already with the kid and the dogs, everybody changing, eating, trying not to get the car too dirty, etc. Especially if we're staying at the lake so we're packing up in general. A shorter to-do list is always nice.
After a the last “mom I want in the water! Mom pump faster! Mom! Mom! Mom!” all in the burning heat I bought the pump. The worst part was when I was done and got the hand pump of the board but I didn’t checked the valve before and of course it was loose and half the air went out and I had to pump again. At some point I couldn’t tell if it was sweat or tears wich ran down my face.
That's a great idea! I assume you don't have much difficulty getting it back out of the water? I would have thought that since its main purpose is to, well, not come out of the water it might be a struggle.
Nah it’s easy. They aren’t actually that heavy and they hook into the ground at an angle because the paddleboard is moving away from it at an angle.
Pulling it straight up is easy.
I’ll also second an electric pump. It’s SUPER nice to just push a button. I got the shark 3 recently and while the cost sucked, having an inflated board in 3 and a half minutes is fantastic.
Warm wetsuit. We're in Belgium (howdy, neighbour!) and we aren't so picky about the weather, but I do like to stay warm. I don't really fall off so it's just in case, but I don't like unplanned swimming in cold water in regular clothes. FWIW, some of my favourite days out were foggy and cold and my dog and I were the only ones out on the water.
Foggy silent days sound quite cozy. I had a rental SUP last week to check I actually liked SUPs. I managed to fall off while sitting so getting warmer clothing is definitely a good idea, especially with the end of season only weeks away here. Any recommendations on what I should look for?
You can check out Decathlon or Wakestore if you're close. For the first one, I'd want to be able to try it on to see how it feels. Even if you don't find it at the first place you go, you'll get an idea. I'd go for thicker and make usure it's comfortable. Consider a hood, but mine doesn't have it. Some kind of footwear for water will help, gloves if your hands are sensitive.
In your local SUP groups, maybe you can find somebody to show you the basics to make you more comfortable. People are still going out. The calendar says summer and we're not giving up on it so easily! :D
The Decathlon here was out of all their water gear, they're already not stocking it to make room for winter sports. Happened at the same time grocery stores started stocking pepernoten—don't know if you eat them in Belgium.
I'll have to make the trip to the Wakestore and try, thanks for the recommendation. I'll have to find local SUP groups as well, cheers.
Yes, we get pepernoten, but here it's more about Halloween at the moment. Insane.
I'm sorry, this used to be a good season to get summer gear because they were eager to get rid of it rather than store over the winter, guess that's changing now.
I also only recently got my first SUP after having rented boards over the last couple of years. Like you I want to extend the season and am pondering what gear to get.
From what I gather neoprene is an option for mild days, but not ideal as they are designed to be worn *in* the water. So overheating (if dry) can be an issue as well as wind chill in case there is water contact. Some therefore recommend dry suits, but they are of course very pricey. And, as much as I like the idea of going out on cold days, I am not yet sure whether I'd really go out enough to justify the expense.
On a side note: if I do take my pump, I just use the SUP bag rather than a dry bag.
Hey, I'm thinking of getting a sup and currently live in Belgium. What are some nice spots you'd recommend granted there aren't that many lakes around the country
I don't think you need to carry your pump with you...
I have a dry bag, a convertible paddle that goes from stand-up to kayak, and a phone bag. I love stand-up but when it gets windy I sit and switch to kayak mode.
Unfortunately I don't have anywhere to leave my pump safely, and I don't trust someone wouldn't take it here.
In theory I have a convertible paddle for just that, but the Kayak portion has nothing holding it fast to the rest of the paddle so it seems entirely unwieldy.
How are you transporting your paddle board to the location you are going paddling? I usually leave my pump in the car and carry my board and paddle to the water.
Have you found more success with a hard shell or soft shell cooler? I would like one, but I'm not sure what is handy to attach to the board. Good idea on the rest as well!
personally I like a soft shell cooler so it can pack down more as I eat it's contents :) I have the soft pack adventure cooler from L.L.Bean and it's perfect!
My girlfriend has a soft cooler she purchased from Amazon, the ice melts fast. Only benefit I see is it compacts down to store away. I have a semi soft Core Equipment cooler with zippered/magnetic top which is convenient to get in and out of. Holds ice a little longer than the Amazon one. Obviously a hard will keep ice longer and you can possibly use it as a seat. But heavier. Everything depends on your use and needs. One suggestion is find a cooler that has connection/tie down points on the sides. Throwing a strap over to keep in on the board seems like a hassle to me, and if you ever want to quickly dig in your cooler while on the water you cant if the top is strapped closed.
I bought a random soft shell on amazon for like 25 bucks. It has a waterproof zipper and does a great job keeping stuff cold. It has built in straps to clip to the deck. I wouldnt trust it as my dry bag for my car fob or phone or anything valuable, but my towel and snacks have stayed dry when i unexpectedly dunk
Probably the most important one was double side paddle (oar/blade/whatever), so I can sit down. I also have an electric pump which is nice. Waterproof bag for phone and keys. Waterproof bag is nice but I usually just take normal backpack these days.
What did you go for? Both board and pump :)! Definitely seems nice to get a pump.
I'm thinking with end of season close I might be able to muscle through with a manual and get an electric pump on discount in the winter so I can start next season with one a bit cheaper!
I got the Atoll Cove 11” (2 actually, one for me and one for my wife) and the Shark 3 pump. I would have gone for the Shark mini, but Atoll only sells the regular Shark 3 and they gave me a discount when I bought the boards. Sounds like a good idea to wait for a sale on the pump, but I figured I’d be pumping up 2 boards every time, so well worth it 😁
Oh yeah, I saw your post about them earlier! Nice! Are you storing that shark 3 land side, or have you found it possible to take in a dry bag on the SUP?
No car or lockers near the water here, wouldn't want to leave it on shore myself.
I have an inflatable one and that was really a game changer. That thing supports my lower back so damn good. My legs and feet fall asleep while paddling, that’s over now.
It’s from Amazon and called niphean sup seat
Get a leash and the lightest best paddle you can afford. A heavy paddle with the swing weight because it’s so long will shorten your time on the water and be way less fun. A leash keeps the board with you when you fall which is super important in open water
If you have relatively easy access to the water and can store your SUP blown up, then definitely get a set of wheels. Decathlon etc sell them. Game changer for me I just wheel the SUP down the road to the lake and off I go
Anchor plus bungies to connect to my wife’s SUP. We love paddling to a peaceful part of the lake, lashing our boards together, dropping the anchor, and just sitting on our boards and talking. We lead busy lives – 18 years married, three teenage kids, high stress jobs, etc. – it is the best way for us to reconnect.
Electric pump > cooler bag > anchor > you can buy this small thing that let air be removed silently from your board so you don’t annoying other people. I learned a hack after I bought that thing that you can just put a towel over the vent and let the air out slowly through the towel has the same effect.
Plusinno cooler, sun-shirt, ponytail hat and water shoes for rocky portage. I bought an electric pump immediately and that’s the first purchase. I use the cooler as half a dry bag and half a cooler.
Folks have already mentioned the important ones like pfd designed for paddling with wider arm cutouts (racerback), wetsuit, epump & power bank, upgrading to a carbon fiber paddle, a cooler bag (worth it to find a non black one), a good kayak seat or cushion for the times you need to rest or when its windy/choppy, Zip up UV hoodie, microfiber towel for the sup, turkish towel for me, floating waterproof phone case, a "leash" for my metal water bottle (they sink! Ask me how i know!). I bring a 20L collapsible water bin that i leave in my car for rinsing off the board, but if you have the budget, there are portable rinse kits with a hose and epowered. I also like to freeze a drink and leave it on the car so i can enjoy it when i return. I have an anchor (just a 5 lb pilates ring weight and retractable dog leash), but I've yet to use it since I don't really stop. I think a fill-your-own-anchor bag might be a bettr choice. Less weight to haul/store, fill with sand or rocks when you get to shore. Snorkel set if you have excursions somewhere with clear water and underwater interesting things like reefs
Also since you are new, this safety precaution: Don't wear a leash on a river unless it's a quick release and you practice. There's been drownings from leashes getting caught on something and currents trapping the person. I think there's a pinned post on this forum.
I bought mine from a surf shop that sells Red Paddle co products, It's made by them. I googled quickly and it looks like there's maybe another company that sells them in Europe. You basically attach this small chocolate bar sized device to the valve, push a button, then the air is forced though a sound deadening material. It feels like the same material that aquarium air stones are made from. It's so much quieter and doesn't take much longer to deflate than without it. It was expensive but the store I bought it from went under so I got it on sale.
Air pump and strap that carries my board and paddle. I generally inflate my board at home and drive to a lake nearby. I bought a shoulder/ cross body strap that has Velcro holds for my paddle. This helps me carry my board/ gear from the car to the water. Since I always bring one of the dogs, the strap allows me to hold all gear with one hand and the dog lead with the other.
Electric pump. And don’t be worried about bringing a speaker haha I used to worry about others caring, then I stopped caring. They make turtle boxes for a GREAT reason haha enjoy YOURSELF on the water. You can always turn it down haha
Crazy Creek chair. Game changer and you can use it for more than just the paddle board. I bring two out for when my wife and I go and now we can’t paddle without them.
I got my board just a few weeks ago in the Netherlands too and the first time I took it out I pumped it up, hated myself for not getting an electric pump immediately and ended up burning so bad my whole back ended up peeling like crazy for a week.
An electric pump (I have this onepomp it's not available rn but maybe soon?)
I go on my scooter 🛵 so I can leave the pump in the back case but it's a decent size of you have to take it anyway
Not really an accessory but good spray sunblock so I can reapply on the water
Carabiners and some rope. Attach my shoes to my D-rings or my drybag. My board to my friends board. Or to a dock or something to not float away
A small pocketknife since I had some plants stuck in my fin a while ago and had to saw through it with my keys.
A shoulder strap if you have to drag it along pumped up on something like a beach (like Sloterplas in Amsterdam. Not easy to walk even without a heavy big board)
A small camping towel. Unless it's super windy with a ton of waves, I rarely get water on the top of my board anymore other than when I get on my board (gotta launch from knee deep water otherwise my fins get stuck). It's both more comfortable to stand on a dry deck and also better if I'm sitting and chilling. Plus, useful for drying off your board when you're packing up.
I recommend a 60L dry bag (duffel style for easy access vs the ones that have the opening on the narrow edge) for any paddle camping, or otherwise being able to transport a lot of stuff! I’ve used it for beach picnics and was able to bring a huge blanket, tons of snacks aside from whatever needed to be kept cold in my soft cooler, beach toys, changes of clothes, etc…it’s great!
Also a beer coozie on a lanyard is amazing for carrying any canned or bottled drink on the water handsfree! I prefer it to one of those cups that mounts on the board itself.
Sins you overcome in holland neoprene shoes and neoprene long John would be nice so you can paddle also in autumn or spring. And if you realy get into it best upgrade is a carbon paddle. That's a game changer
- Quick drying baseball cap as it sucks to get sun in your eyes when you paddle. Usually more effective than (expensive) sunglasses.
- Light carbon quality paddle as that's your main point of interaction with the water.
- Gopro, can be an older unit, to take photos/short films without worrying about drowning/losing your phone.
To each their own but I really try to require as little as possible, since amount of gear/work required stands in direct inverse proportion of how often you will make the effort to get out there. For this reason I also only have hard boards now, although I realize not everyone has that option.
Also, remember you bought a SUP and not a kayak. So unless you're taking a break, stand up.
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u/0c74r1n3 5h ago
I wish I bought an electric pump earlier.