There are plenty of reasons to enjoy spending more time out in the sun. One of the sports that has been quickly growing a following around the world is paddleboarding. This is a sport that is similar to surfing in many ways but a little slower paced. You still get out on the open water and stand on aboard. Instead of letting the water carry you on the waves, you will use a paddle to direct your motion. It is a great workout and has many health benefits. There are a few things to keep in mind before you run out to try the sport yourself. Let’s take a closer look at the best gear you can get and how to behave out on the water to have a safe and fun time.
PaddleBoarding Basics
There are a few basics that you need to go over first before you set out on an adventure. You should make sure that you have all of the gear that you need. We have a list below with the gear you need to get and how to select high-quality items too. Next, you need to refresh yourself on the basics of how to paddle. Finally, there are a few final tips we are going to go over at the end to make your first trip a sure success.
How to Pick Out Your Gear
There is a certain amount of truth to the old adage that money buys quality. While you are out shopping for hearing you do not need to necessarily pick out all of the most expensive items if you see yourself doing the sport for more than a couple of times you may want to go for the higher quality items. At the end of the day, not every single piece of equipment out there has been made equal. This is true for all things including paddleboarding.
The PaddleBoard
There are several general categories of paddleboard that you will encounter while shopping. The right type of board for you will be determined by your purpose for using it. Here are a few of the most common types and the best purposes for them.
Standard General-Purpose Board
These are the most common type of boards available. There is not anything in particular about them that will make them stand out but they are ideal for beginners and general-purpose usage. You can even find high-quality general-purpose boards that are good enough to do other paddleboard activities.
Inflatable Board
These are a great option if you do not have very much room in your vehicle to travel with and do not live somewhere close enough to carry the board to the water yourself. They are designed with a heavy-duty type of plastic similar to what you find on a rescue raft. Whenever you need to travel with them you can let the air out of them and they fold up rather well. Once you arrive at your destination all you need to do is put the air back into it and it is good to go. If you are the type of person that needs to save space while traveling but would like to bring aboard with you this would be the perfect type of board to go with.
Balance Board
These types of boards are built a little bit differently to accommodate certain types of activities that require balance. They have a wider deck area so that you can do things like yoga or tai chi while you are on the water. They may not be the best for going long distances but they have a ton of stability for beginners.
Fishing Board
These types of boards are built with special accommodations for fishing gear. This is great for the fishing enthusiast that likes to go into natural habitats but would like to protect the environment from the damages that an electric motorboat can do to such habitats. They are typically a little more stable than other boards as well.
Distance Board
These are the types of boards that you will see serious paddleboard enthusiasts going for the most. They are commonly used in touring competitions where people compete to see if they can complete ultra long-distance marathons on the water against a timer or other types of races. The design of the hole for these boards is built to displace as much water as possible to reduce the amount of drag that the board experiences while moving along in the water.
They are normally a little bit longer and have a little bit narrower deck area. These design modifications allow the board to be pushed much farther and much faster using less energy than the other boards. The only downside is that they are far less stable and can be incredibly difficult for a beginner to learn how to paddleboard with.
A Nice Paddle
The next most important piece of equipment before you go out on the water will always be your paddle. The type of title that you choose will have a fast impact on how comfortable you find the experience. Here are a few of the most common types of paddles that you will encounter in the industry.
Carbon Fiber Or Plastic Paddles
Today many battles are made with either carbon fiber or some other polycarbonate type plastic. These are popular because they are low-cost and in many cases extremely tough and durable. They can make great value and there is always the added benefit that they float if you drop them.
Aluminum Paddles
These were more popular 20 or 30 years ago but there are still enthusiasts who love to swear by these. They are a little bit in the middle as far as weight is concerned between carbon fiber and wooden paddles. If you find that a carbon fiber paddle is too light for you then you might like an aluminum paddle.
Wooden Paddles
Wooden paddles have been around for the longest of all types of battles and are also the heaviest. Depending on the type of wood that it has been made out of these can be significantly heavy. If you like to paddle with something that has some weight behind it you would probably love a wooden paddle.
Life Jacket or Other Flotation Device
United States maritime law mandates that any activities that take place outside of the boundaries of shallow waters must use a personal flotation device. The most common personal flotation device that you are going to find will be a life jacket. Find one that is comfortable but will still allow you to have a good range of motion.
Other Safety Gear
A lot of people who go paddleboard and will swear by a paddleboard leash. This is a little anklet that you tie around your ankle that is anchored to the board. This is great for beginners because it will allow you an easy way to keep track of the board and also which way is up if you ever fall off. They give you the confidence to try more exciting tricks whenever you are first learning.
Electronics
whether it is a depth finder so that way you can always know how deep the water is or if it is a piece of equipment to help you while you are fishing there is always a new and exciting piece of electronic equipment that you can take with you all paddle morning over at HawkEye Electronics.