Necessary or cool? Get the right accessories for SUP

SUP or Paddleboarding is a super cool water sports activity, as it can be practiced in all weathers, so virtually all ages can participate. At the same time, it is a fantastic way to both enjoy nature and get your whole body touched at the same time. And like so many other popular sports, there are always a host of extra accessories that can provide a much better experience in many ways.

But before we get too started and start acquiring everything there is for SUP, it might be a good idea to consider the additional purchases one more time. Because some of the accessories are important for everyone who practices SUP, while others are more important for some than others. So let's therefore find out a little more about which accessories for SUP are available and in which situations and surroundings they are best suited - it could happen, you will be a little surprised along the way.

Necessary accessories all SUPs must have

Swimming vest

Since it is a legal requirement to have one with you every time you go out on the water, you cannot avoid one swim- or life jacket. However, we would definitely recommend life jackets for SUP, as a definite life jacket is in many ways completely unnecessary for SUP.

This is because, firstly, a life jacket is mostly intended to keep a person above water and with their head above water - even in an unconscious state. Therefore, they also take up much more space and are much less flexible than a life jacket. For that reason, a life jacket is definitely preferable, as it makes it much easier to paddle and get back on the board if you fall in.

On the other hand, it is the only thing about SUP that is required by law, so let's take a look at the necessary things you must have in order to SUP properly.

Necessary accessories all SUPs should have

Most SUP boards - and especially the inflammable ones - comes with all the accessories you need to be able to launch the board and paddle out there. Unfortunately, not everything is equally durable and over time it may become necessary to replace some of the equipment.

Paddle

There can be many reasons why a paddle becomes defective over time. The paddle itself can break, the connections can become loose, etc. And as you know, it becomes quite difficult to move forward on a SUP board without a paddle - but don't worry. It is always possible to acquire a new one here, and the best thing is that it is universal in relation to different boards.

Fin

For some, it may not be the most important spare part, but you cannot escape the fact that it creates stability in the water. Therefore, most people will also benefit the most a fin, which is intact. Unfortunately, they can break, which can both happen if you hit the ground or during storage and transport. Often, only the most experienced SUPers can manage without a center fin.

SUP Leash

If you want to prevent your paddleboard from going overboard without you - should you fall into the water - then it must be equipped with a leash. It is your guarantee that your SUP board does not run away, which can otherwise lead to dangerous situations - especially if you are far from the coast and cannot reach your board. In addition, it is just annoying and a shame to lose your board, when it can all be avoided with a very simple solution.

SUP pump

For all those with an inflatable SUP board, a pump is an absolute must. From there, however, you can choose two different solutions. One is a hand pump - which comes with a SUP package - and the other is an electric pump. The smart thing about a hand pump is of course that you don't need access to electricity to pump up your board.

Conversely, the smart thing is an electric pump, that it fits the 12V socket in a car. You can therefore change clothes and get ready while your board is filled with air. However, it is recommended to always have a hand pump with you to pump after.

Waterproof mobile holder

Perhaps very few people think about taking their mobile out on the water. It makes sense of course, as it is difficult to keep it dry, and if you were to use it, how do you do it with dry hands in a very wet environment? Fortunately, there is a solution for this, and there is one overwhelming reason why you should have a mobile phone with you.

Should you get into trouble at sea and urgently need help, a mobile is by far your best friend. And with a waterproof mobile holder, that can be secured well to the body and can be used without having to take the mobile phone out of it, it is like having the mobile phone in your pocket on land.

Accessories that make it easier to be a SUPer

If you first have control of the most necessary, then it's some SUP accessories that just make it easier to stand on a paddleboard. And a lot of it is more than just fun.

Carrying harness for SUP

With a carrying harness for SUP it becomes much easier to transport your SUP board from place to place, where you want both hands free at the same time. It is suitable for both fixed and inflatable boards, but for those with inflatables it means that they do not need to let the air out to take it on to the next water hole. For those with regulars, it can make transport much more mobile and therefore easier.

SUP valve adapter

If you have other units that can blow air into a SUP board, then a SUP valve adaptor is the only way to do it. Pretty straight forward and without too many frills, but nevertheless it makes it possible to use something other than SUP pumps to fill the board with air.

SUP board bag

For many, it is nice to be able to take different things with you on your paddleboard trip. It could be a packed lunch, energy bar, drinking bottle, personal belongings and much, much more. Most SUP boards have a wire mesh around the nose, where it is possible to fasten things. However, it is far from certain that it is able to properly hold the various belongings, and especially if they are not of a significant size.

With a SUP bag is it possible to create a safe "room" on your board, as it can be attached securely to the board and keep your belongings inside with a zip. Super smart and the best way to take items - which can withstand getting wet - out on the water.

Drybag

Should you still need a bag to store the belongings that cannot stand getting wet, then a drybag is the absolute best solution. They are handy, close easily and securely and can hold quite a lot. In addition, they can be fastened to the board, so you can safely take the things out that cannot withstand water. And if you need extra security, they can also be equipped with a waterproof LED light, so that people from a longer distance or in foggy weather and twilight can see where you are.

Accessories we recommend you have

Many of these suggestions are of course subjective, but we have - after countless hours of experience - some recommendations that have made our SUP trips much easier down the road. One is to extend the SUP season and the other is to make it all much easier.

Waterproof belt bag - Talia

It is rare that we go out on the water without having our mobile in a waterproof mobile holder. But for all the other habengut, it may seem a bit overkill to have it in a dry bag. Therefore, we think that a waterprrof waist bag/belly belt is an ideal solution as it fits securely to the body, is easy to access and removes all the worry that it - which is the case with a drybag - is now also securely attached to the board.

They are relatively spacious and can hold mobile phones, wallets, keys and other similar items. Super easy, comfortable to wear and 100% waterproof.

Wetsuit

It's certainly no secret that the SUP season in Denmark, which can be practiced in swimming shorts and bikinis, only lasts 1-2 months - 3 if you're lucky. A real shame when we now have some of the best coasts and best seas to practice SUP. However, it is easily solved with a wet suit and the best part is that they don't have to be very thick. With a good wetsuit, you will be able to extend the SUP season in Denmark by several months.

Changing mat

It is also no secret that it is annoying to SUP and swim in a wetsuit where there is sand and dirt on the inside. It can irritate and chafe the skin and cause soreness and sores. And since most people prefer to change to the wetsuit on e.g. the beach, that is a changing mat the best way to avoid sand, dirt and grime in the wetsuit. And when you get back on land, you can change into normal clothes and close the changing mat so that it becomes a bag for storing all the wet clothes.

Badeponcho

When you have to change into a wetsuit of e.g. the beach, then it's always nice to be able to maintain your shyness. Therefore is in badeponcho a good solution in many ways:

1. It covers the body while you still have your hands free.

2. Dehydrates the body

3. Keeps the heat

A good and extremely comfortable 3-in-1 solution, and if it takes place in the coldest months, it will in surf poncho be worth pursuing.

Pure lire but still cool for SUPs

We would like to admit that this category is far from necessary to practice SUP in the right way. However, we still think that it can help make the SUP trip a little more fun and gives you the opportunity to use your board for more than just paddleboarding.

SUP sail

With a SUP sail it is almost possible to use your SUP board for windsurfing, albeit on a slightly smaller scale. Nevertheless, it is a super fun way to use your paddleboard. However, using a SUP sail does not necessarily have to be just for fun. It can also be a small rescue if you come out on somewhat uncertain water with waves and wind. Here it can be difficult to paddle and maneuver your board back to calmer water, but if you catch the wind correctly with your sail, you will just as easily "fly" there.

SUP seat

There are many good reasons to use one SUP seat, and therefore it is also one of the most versatile SUP accessories. Some use it to be able to sit comfortably and take a break before paddling on. Others use it to accompany them on their SUP trip. There are a lot of options, and we often find that those who have first tried having a SUP seat with them on a good SUP trip, rarely set off again without it.

These categories are our best bet for; what you must have, what you should have, what is good to have and what is nice to have, and we hope it can serve as a good inspiration. There might even have been things you hadn't considered for SUP, so we also hope we helped to open new horizons in the fantastic world of SUP.