Paddleboarding (SUP)

Paddleboarding has recently taken the world by storm, becoming a popular leisure hobby - and for good reason! It's a water sport activity that suits almost everyone. Whether you're a recreational user, fitness enthusiast or competitive rower, it's a great way to exercise. 

That's why, on this page, you'll find everything you need to get started or - if you're a skilled SUP boarder - the things you need to get even better.

If you can't find what you're looking for, you're sure to find it in our water sports category.

What is paddleboarding?

Basically, SUP is a board you stand on, and from there you paddle forward with a paddle long enough to give you optimal propulsion. The whole trend actually originated in Polynesia, where people have been travelling on the water in this way for several millennia. However, the practice became much more mainstream when Thomas Edward Blake created his own paddleboard in the 1930s. 

However, it took until the 1980s for it to become really popular in the US and from there it took some time for the trend to come to Europe. But since 2020, paddleboarding has been one of the most popular water sports activities in Ireland. This is mainly due to the versatility of the exercise paddleboarding offers. 

It's not just about standing up and rowing. Instead, it's more of a form of exercise that combines balance, coordination and fitness. It's not as easy as just getting up on the board and paddling away. Instead, paddleboarding requires you to first find a good balance on the board and then start learning to paddle from a standing position.

For this reason, paddleboarding is also known as SUP (Stand Up Paddle), which is probably the term you'll most often come across. Nevertheless, it refers to the same activity as paddleboarding.

The right paddleboarding equipment is essential

Generally you would think that paddleboarding just requires a board and a paddle, but it's not that simple.

If you buy our Watery Paddleboard you will get everything you basically need to get a good start on your paddleboarding adventure. For that reason, it's also important to highlight the items that are essential for a great paddleboarding experience. Therefore, we have listed them to make it easier to understand:

• An inflatable paddleboard
• A paddle that is lightweight and floats in the water in case you fall in
• A pump to inflate it
• A leash so your SUP board doesn't run away from you if you fall in the water
• A repair kit in case of an accident

In addition, there are several things you should consider to make paddleboarding a success - or at least easier.

For example, a drybag or waterproof phone holder so you can take your phone out on the water without the risk of it breaking. It's something we recommend, because if you're in distress at sea, you'll need to call for help. Therefore, this category of equipment can help you on the water, whether you need help or just want to know the time.

Furthermore, it's a legal requirement to have a life jacket or life vest on the water, even if you're paddleboarding near the shore. That's why we have a selection of the best life jackets on the market, so you can feel safe, comfortable and compliant with the law. 

Then there are all the things that make paddleboarding more comfortable, such as swim shoes, SUP shoes and swim ponchos. With a pair of swim shoes, you don't have to change footwear when carrying your SUP board from land to water. Many people use flip-flops, but it's just a lot more difficult. Instead, a pair of SUP or swim shoes will give you a better footing and help you stay warm.

A microfibre swim poncho will help you dry quickly and retain heat efficiently. This allows you to warm up quickly when you get to shore, which also means you can get back on the water faster. Paddleboarding requires a few breaks in between, but that doesn't mean you have to feel cold.

If you just love paddleboarding and want to extend the season by several months, you'll need a wetsuit. It will help you stay warm and give you buoyancy if you fall in the water. This will make it easier to get back on your SUP board.

In general, we recommend that you inflate your SUP board by hand as it's a good warm-up exercise to get you ready to jump on and start paddleboarding. Of course, you may also need to prepare various things before you start paddleboarding. That's why you can of course also get an electric pump that can inflate your paddleboard while you're doing other things. Easy and simple, they also fit car cigarette lighters.

Paddleboarding and more fun

While paddleboarding is a great activity, you have the option to upgrade your SUP board a bit. This could be with a sail for SUP, so you can almost use your SUP board as a sailboat.

This can be a great advantage when you're paddleboarding and get too far out or hit a strong crosswind. With a sail, you'll be able to use the wind to carry you to safety or to a place where you can start paddleboarding again.

Paddleboarding can be tough, both because you're standing up and compensating with balance, while also having to create propulsion with a paddle. Therefore, it might be nice to sit down and slowly paddle your way forward. With a paddleboard seat, you can do exactly that. You can go paddleboarding knowing that you can always sit down comfortably and take a break - while still being able to paddle..

Remember to maintain your SUP and paddleboarding equipment

While paddleboarding is fun and a great form of exercise, it's important to take good care of your paddleboarding equipment. In general, chlorine and salt water are very hard on the materials that water sports equipment is made of. Over time, this means that the materials will eventually harden and become leaky.

Even though our paddleboards are generally very durable, they still need to be washed well after use. Therefore, it's a good idea to wash your SUP board in fresh water after each use. This is easier when it's inflated, but can also be done when you get home with your inflatable SUP board.

The most important thing is that you rinse your SUP board and other equipment thoroughly and let it dry completely before you put your board in storage. Otherwise, you risk mould and discolouration the next time you unpack your SUP board.

Get equipped for paddleboarding with a SUP board from Watery.ie

Here at Watery.ie you can find everything you need to get started on your paddleboarding adventure. It's a super healthy and fun form of exercise that almost everyone can join in on. And with an inflatable SUP board from Watery, you're guaranteed a great start.

In addition, you can buy all the equipment you need to practice paddleboarding in a way that best suits you and your needs. If you have any questions or need advice and guidance, our customer service is ready to help you. In addition, you also get:

• Free shipping on orders over €79
• 3-5 days delivery
• Our customer service is ready all weekdays from 8 AM to 10 PM.

when you shop with us. So you can be all set to start paddleboarding.