One of my goals after I moved to Austin was to get myself a stand-up paddle board so I can enjoy all the beautiful water spots in the area. I tried out SUP-ing last summer downtown on Lady Bird Lake and just fell in love with it. Since I’ve got some extra time on my hands due to COVID-19, I decided to take the plunge and get myself a board. I did a lot of research and settled on an inflatable board so I could store and transport it easily. That way you don’t have to get a rack for your car or anything like that. They’re also more durable than traditional paddle boards in regards to drops and bumps. I’m going to share with you the board I settled on and the accessories I got to make the most out of my boarding.
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My Board
This is the exact board I went with. I liked the colors and that it included basically everything I would need to hit the water right away. It took about 5 minutes to fill up with the pump provided – which I was pleased with. It’s light-weight and I could easily carry it all by myself.
Accessories
Here are some things I got and highly recommend!
Unigear Premium SUP Leash 10′ Coiled Stand Up Paddle Board Surfboard Leash
Some board will come with a leash, but mine didn’t it’s not completely necessary but comes in handy if you fall off your board.
Unigear Dry Bag Waterproof, Floating and Lightweight Bag
This might be the best purchase I got to go along with my board. I got the 10L bag and it’s perfect to hold my shoes, keys, a small towel, and anything else you might need out on the water.
Waterproof Pouch with Waist Strap
This is fantastic to keep on your person. I tend to put my phone in here and anything else I might need more access to while on the water.
Rrtizan Adult Inflatable Swim Vest Life Jacket
I don’t wear a life jacket while I’m actually boarding, but I still have one handy just in case.
Bluetooth Speaker, – Dustproof Waterproof, 10-Hour Playtime
You need some tunes while you’re out on the water! I went with this one and I love it. I just clip it to my things and play away.
Unisex Water Shoes Quick-Dry Aqua Socks
I like having water shoes handy since I tend to hop in the water from the shore and might have to walk through some yuckiness.
Things I Will Probably End Up Getting
I’ve got some things on my shopping list that I will probably get in the near future.
Amphibian Outdoor SUP Cup Holder Velcro Mount
I think this would be super handy to keep your drink more accessible while you’re boarding.
3lb Marine Grapnel Folding Anchor with 20-Foot MFP Rope and Mesh Storage Bag
If you want to just chill in one spot, having an anchor would be super useful. This one is small and would get the job done!
A water-resistant cooler bag to keep your snacks dry and your drinks cold.
That’s all I’ve got so far! If you know of any other accessories that’d make SUP life easier, I’d love to hear in the comments!
2 Comments
Tom
May 19, 2020 at 7:42 amHi Kirsten, nice article about paddle board accessories! I could recommend you the Restube as an accessory instead of a life jacket. I get it, I do not like the life jacket either. It is too hot and it gets in the way of my paddling. The Restube is a tiny bag that you can clip to your swimming outfit, which you can inflate by pulling the cord and it will make sure to get you to the surface. So you still are safe but more convenient to carry along!
kirstenkrupps
May 20, 2020 at 10:58 amOh, that is really nice! I will have to keep that in mind, that looks super convenient. Thank you for sharing!