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How to Pack Lightly for your SUP Tours

SUP Tours

You’ve probably done it once, several times, or are already way into stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) by now. Whether that’s on an ocean, river, or lake, SUP can be an amazingly unique way of viewing the natural world by accessing some stunning places that might be inaccessible on foot.

If you’re planning to head out on the water for a day of recreational stand-up paddleboarding, you just need a few essential SUP gears. With that in mind, the following checklist will help you pack lightly for your next SUP tour and make your experience more cozy and fun.

Essential SUP Gear To Pack

There are certain pieces of SUP gear you’ll need to maximize your paddleboarding experience. You’ll need to be comfortable as well as protect yourself while paddling. Below is a list of essential pieces of stand-up paddleboarding gear you need before hitting the water:

  • Stand-up paddleboard (SUP)
  • SUP paddle
  • SUP leash
  • Fins for SUP
  • A pump for an inflatable board
  • Personal floatation device (PFD) or lifejacket
  • A rescue whistle
  • A flashlight or headlamp (required when SUPing after sundown).

Basic Apparel To Pack

Summer, Bikini, Hat, Sun Hat, Straw Hat, Shades

Proper clothing and footwear are crucial to your health and safety while SUPing. Obviously, paddleboarding exposes you to the elements, and fine apparel will protect you from those elements. You’ll need clothing that’s capable of protecting you from sunburns, keeping your body dry and warm, especially when paddling in cold water or weather conditions.

For cold water or weather conditions (below 60℉ or 15.6℃), you can pack the following items:

  • A wetsuit or neoprene tops and shorts
  • Paddling gloves
  • Synthetic/wool socks and cap

For warm water or weather conditions (above 70℉ or 21℃), pack the following clothing:

  • A swimsuit/bikini or board shorts
  • Neoprene booties/sandals or water shoes
  • Hat retainer leash
  • Sun-shielding hat
  • A sun-protective shirt or rashguard

Other SUP Gear Items

The following list consists of optional SUP gear and accessories. They all depend on how you want to use your paddleboard. Generally, if you’re planning to go on an extended day or overnight SUP tour through open water, you’ll need many of the following SUP gear items:

  • A compass, map, GPS device, or personal locator beacon (PLB).
  • First aid kit
  • Dry bags or deck bags
  • A waterproof case
  • SUP carry strap and board transport cart
  • Weather/VHF radio
  • A knife and fishing gear

Personal Items To Pack

These items are also optional, depending on your specific lifestyle. All in all, every paddleboarder should pack several of the following listed personal items:

  • Sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Insect repellent and foot/skincare products.
  • Lip balm
  • Hydration reservoir, water bottle, or waist pack
  • A towel
  • Snacks or lunch
  • Cellphone and camera in protective case/bag
  • A small amount of cash or credit card

Packing for a Several Nights SUP Tour

Smart, Sup, Tour, Lake, More, Trip

The items mentioned above are essential for both a one-day and several nights SUP tour. If you’re going to extend your SUP tour to several nights, you’ll need to pack some extra essential items to serve you during your vac.

Food

You can go as alpine or extravagant as you like with this one. You carry a small cooler full of dehydrated space food, beverages, or BBQ goods. This will depend on your personal preferences and how much weight you intend to carry. We recommend going halfway and packing food pouches. This will be pretty lightweight, easy to prepare and dispose of the garbage.

Essential items you’ll need to pack:

  • Easy to prepare food
  • Gas stove and spare gas
  • Titanium cookware
  • Spork
  • A lighter and backup waterproofed matches

Water

Keeping hydrated during your SUP tour is super important. You’ll drink at least 2 liters of water per day, which means you’ll drink plenty on your adventure. Since you want to pack lightly for your tour, bringing lots of bottles of water in your backpack may not be an option.

We advise bringing enough cash to buy drinking water from the nearby stores. On the other hand, if your destination has fresh water available, you can get a portable water filter or additional water purifying products.

Hygiene

When it comes to hygiene, you’ll need to bring several items for your body hygiene, gear, and other things. We suggest not carrying more than a pair of each item, but it all depends on the weight you’re willing to bear. Below is your handy checklist to pack:

  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Antibacterial micro towel
  • Toilet rolls and sanitary wipes
  • Dishwashing liquid

Where Do You Put All These Items?

You’ll need 1 or 2 waterproof bags, depending on their size. You can use one bag to pack all the essential SUP gear pieces and use the second bag to pack the other items.

Note: Even small waves can wash over your loaded board and wet everything that’s not protected. Ensure you get a waterproof SUP backpack to adequately protect your gear from the water.

Bottom Line

This article provides an easy-to-follow guide on how to pack lightly for your next SUP tour. Whether you’re planning a one-day or a few nights SUP tour, use this guide to packing essential items that’ll make your experience more comfortable and fun. New to paddle boarding? Check this guide on how to paddle board!

About author

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My name is Rahul Shakya. I’m a Digital Marketing Consultant, Professional Blogger, Affiliate Marketer, and an Online Entrepreneur. Here, I blog about Technology and digital product reviews, SEO, and help people to choose right digital and tech gadgets.

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