Do you have a SUP enthusiast in your life that you’d like to buy a gift for? You’re in luck! Now that paddle boarding has become mainstream, there’s no end of paddle board accessories available that are as useful as they are cool. From waterproof phone cases to carry straps and personal safety kit to reef-safe sunscreen. But, if you’re not so familiar with the sport, you might need some help choosing the best gifts for paddle boarders.
We believe that the best SUP accessories should make a day out on the water even more enjoyable. Paddle boarding gear should be fit for purpose, durable enough for wild SUP adventures, and make it easier to get out on the water. Preferably the best paddle boarding gifts are also sustainably sourced and made with eco-friendly materials.
Check out our selection of the very best gifts for paddle boarders.
15 paddle boarding gifts for a perfect day on the water
Rival Carbon SUP Paddle
One of the best stand up paddle board gifts for beginner and advanced paddle boarders alike, is a carbon fibre paddle. Designed to be lightweight, durable, and portable, the Rival Carbon SUP Paddle is something you can take on all your adventures. This paddle has a three-piece design and it will fit inside a backpack with an inflatable SUP. This also makes it adjustable, so even the shortest or tallest of paddlers can comfortably use it.
Aside from being a high performing paddle, the Rival Carbon SUP Paddle is also super stylish. A paradise ocean scene is printed on one side of the fibreglass paddle while the other side is sleek black and printed with the iconic Hala logo. A very chic design!
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Colorado Kayak
NRS Zephyr Inflatable PFD
A personal floatation device is an essential piece of safety equipment for every paddle boarder. Unfortunately, classic buoyancy aids tend to be too bulky and too restricting. That’s why a compact inflatable PFD is one of the most useful gifts for paddle boarders. A lightweight PFD that secures around the waist is a comfortable compromise.
The NRS Zephyr Inflatable PFD is U.S. Coast Guard certified as a Type III lifejacket. This PFD is self-inflating, so you only need to pull the red tab when you take an unexpected swim. It’s easy to adjust whilst in the water and there’s a manual back up valve, just in case you forgot to replace the C02 cartridge after the last use. After using, it packs into a ripstop nylon waist pack. There’s also an external zippered pocket with a tether for keys or a safety whistle.
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Colorado Kayak
NRS Coil SUP Leash
Beginners are bound to fall off when learning to paddle board but experienced paddlers can still get thrown off by changing currents or a choppy waters. Even on flatwater, it’s easy to get separated from the board. Unless your paddle boarding friends want to improve their long-distance swimming, a leash is a very practical SUP accessory.
The NRS Coil SUP Leash is one of the most comfortable flatwater leashes we’ve come across. It features a two-inch-wide padded calf strap with an adjustable Velcro closure. The coiled line is just 20 inches long, short enough that it won’t get wrapped around your ankles, but stretches to over 11 feet. There’s a swivel fixture at the calf strap and paddle board attachment point that keeps it from getting tangled.
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REI
Suspenz SUP Stow and Go Paddle Board Strap
There’s no getting around it. Paddle boards are awkward to carry, especially for paddlers with short arms. You tend to end up balancing it on your hip, gripping the handle (if it has one) and shuffling to the water as quickly as possible. A paddle board carry strap makes the process much more dignified and easy.
Unlike many carry straps, the Suspenz SUP Stow and Go doesn’t require D-ring attachments. This makes it suitable for both hard shell and inflatable paddle boards. Instead, two sturdy 600-denier nylon straps wrap around the central section of the board and clip into place. The straps are adjustable to fit paddle boards up to 36 inches in width and hold a weight of up to 100 lbs. There’s also a padded shoulder strap and two Velcro attachment loops for the paddle.
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REI
Hala Backcountry Rolling SUP Backpack
The advantage of inflatable paddle boards is that they’re a lot more portable than traditional hard shells. If you have a friend that likes to travel with their inflatable paddle board, then the Hala Backcountry Rolling SUP Backpack is one of the best SUP gifts on our list. Built with a sturdy carbon frame, tough nylon fabric, rolling wheels, and a padded backpack harness with stow-away cover, it’s suited to anything from airline travel to road trips, or hiking to nearby paddle spots. This zippered SUP backpack is available in three sizes and will fit a folding paddle, leash, and other essential SUP gear as well as the paddle board.
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Colorado Kayak
Cressi Panoramic Wide View Mask and Dry Snorkel Kit
The beauty of a paddle board is that you can jump off at any time, take a swim, and climb back on. A mask and snorkel are a key part of many paddle boarders’ kits. The Cressi Panoramic Wide View Mask and Dry Snorkel Set is more than a few steps ahead of regular snorkelling sets.
Both mask and snorkel are made with high-grade silicone that’s soft on the face and comfortable in the mouth. Side windows let you spot sea life out of the corner of your eye while quality seals keep water from getting in. Meanwhile, the snorkel features a dry top system and a splash guard that prevents water from entering. It’s also fitted with a purge value in case any water does get inside.
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Amazon
NRS Ultra-Light Paddler Medical Kit
A mini first aid kit is a useful piece of SUP gear, particularly for paddlers who favour remote waters or SUP expeditions. That said, accidents can happen even when you’re close to home. The NRS Ultra-Light Paddler Medical Kit contains the bare necessities for treating minor injuries. It also contains basic survival gear and two types of over-the-counter medications. This ultra-lightweight kit (8 oz) comes in a compact dry bag to prevent its contents from getting saturated. Plus, to stop it from floating away, it attaches to the paddle board’s handle or bungee cords using the top buckle or metal grommets on the bottom corners.
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Colorado Kayak | REI
Grassracks Bamboo Wall Rack
For safe off-the-ground storage, a wall rack is another handy gift for stand up paddle boarders. The Grassracks Bamboo Wall Rack is an attractive and eco-friendlier alternative to standard wall racks. It’s made in the USA from bamboo and coated with a PolyWhey finish that’s free from toxic chemicals. This natural-looking rack is stronger than many of its metal competitors and can hold a weight of up to 125 lbs.
The Bamboo Rack from Grassroots comes in single, double, or triple-tier versions, ideal for people who own multiple types of paddle boards. It fits recreational paddle boards as well as SUP race boards or surfboards. It’s also available in birch instead of bamboo.
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Grassracks
Patagonia Micro Swell Rashguard
Let’s not forget that wearing the right clothing is the difference between a comfortable trip on the water and an uncomfortable one. When it comes to the best paddle board clothing gifts, the Patagonia Micro Swell Rashguard is one of our favourites.
It’s made from a combination of recycled polyester/spandex and recycled nylon/spandex. It’s therefore an excellent choice for your environmentally conscious SUP buddies. The material allows for a full range of movement but is also fast-drying, durable, and offers 50+ UPF protection. The fit is woman-specific and designed to be close to the skin without feeling tight or irritating sensitive areas. The Micro Swell Rashguard comes in a selection of two colourful prints.
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Patagonia | REI
PackTowl Original
Made of 90% Rayon (a compostable, fiber-based fabric), this packable towel is the perfect present for the eco-conscious paddle boarder in your life. It comes in a zippered mesh bag for easy storage and has a popper button tab to hang dry without the need for pegs. It’s also incredibly absorbent, which is handy for those unexpected swims (falls) into the water. Whether it’s carried along for the ride or left in the car to wrap around you post-paddle, this quick drying towel will be greatly appreciated when it’s needed.
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Amazon | PackTowl
SealLine Seal Pak Hip Pack
A waterproof hip pack is one of those paddle boarding accessories that you never knew you needed until you’ve used one. Endlessly useful. Store your snacks, camera, map, keys, sunscreen and sunglasses in it and have instant access to them without even altering your position. No more scrabbling to the front of your board to open up your dry bag and risk its contents tumbling out onto the board deck or into the water. This SealLine Seal Pak Hip Pack has adjustable waist straps for a customised fit. Plus, the roll top can be sealed closed with buckles either at the top or on both sides.
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Amazon | REI
Aquapac Classic Waterproof Phone Case
Staying in comms when you’re out on the water isn’t only a convenience thing, it’s also a hugely important safety measure if things go pear-shaped. Pop your phone in a fully waterproof case and you’ll have peace of mind at your fingertips. The Aquapac Classic Waterproof Phone Case has a handy lanyard to hang around your neck or attach to your buoyancy aid. But the best part is that you don’t even need to take the phone out of the case to use it. It’s touch sensitive and even has a window on the back so that you can snap away as you paddle.
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Amazon
Overboard Dry Tube
Big days out on the water call for big dry bags! With a 40 litre capacity, the Overboard Dry Tube is one of the best gifts for paddle boarders who prefer to get the miles in and go exploring. Boasting a carry handle at the top and a removable shoulder strap, this heavy duty waterproof bag is also ideal for keeping overnight camping gear dry on longer water-based expeditions. It’s easy to carry and it’s elongated shape means that it fits easily underneath cargo bungees on the deck of a SUP.
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Drybags
Green People Organic Sun Lotion
For your paddling pals who tend to spend more time in the water than on it, a reef-safe sunscreen is essential. This Organic Sun Lotion by Green People isn’t only kind to our precious oceans, it’s also rather nice to our bodies. Containing 84% organic ingredients and no nasty chemicals, this water repellent cream provides broad-spectrum UVA & UVB protection with an SPF rating of 30. Plus, it rubs in evenly, despite its thick consistency, and it also comes in a plant-based, fully recyclable tube.
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Amazon
Nite Ize Gear Ties
If you’re buying for someone who loves useful gifts then these Nite Ize Gear Ties are an absolute must. They’re available in a load of different lengths, colours and thicknesses and are ideal for fixing gear onto your board, dry bag or buoyancy aid. Plus, they’re mega useful when you’re not out having fun on the water, doubling as gear hangers and organisers.
They also happen to be waterproof and safe in fresh and saltwater, as well as UV resistant. So not just for Christmas, but a real giver of a gift!
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Amazon | REI
The post 15 Paddle Boarding Gifts for Perfectly Practical Paddlers appeared first on Cool of the Wild.
