When the weather is nice and warm, it's not very complicated to equip yourself for stand up paddling, a vest and a boardshort are more than enough. But when the weather is autumnal or spring-like, it is impossible to go out in boardshorts for a stand up paddle tour. It is imperative to bring some basic equipment to avoid being freezing cold and thirsty while drifting on your board.

Staying warm on a stand up paddle, yes, but not in any way!

The trap of the sacrosanct 5.3 mm wetsuit is to be avoided at all costs. Stand up paddling is not a traditional sport where you spend a good part of your time immersed. No, in stand up paddle, you rarely fall. The only situation that can justify the use of neoprene wetsuits is in waves where you are close to surfing. For stand up paddling, it is useless to wear a wetsuit which will be too hot and not breathable at all once the first strokes of the paddle are given;

It is thus advisable to switch to a hybrid equipment, which will be warm in case of fall or temporary immersion in water, but especially which will breathe when you paddle on a long distance and will protect you from the wind. The best compromise is the SUP neoprene pants combined with a breathable top. At ease in the water as well as on the water, no risk of overheating with this equipment that you can complete with gloves, hat and neoprene boots.

In SUP: vest or no vest, that is the question?

There is no regulation on this subject as the sport is so recent. If we compare it to kayaking, the practice of beach gear within 300 meters of the shore is subject to regulations that require the wearing of a buoyancy aid vest, either 50 Newtons of buoyancy or more. However, these vests are not yet designed for Stand Up Paddling, which is quite particular about the movement of the chest. The most suitable product is the PFD from Zhik, not the cheapest of the vests but extremely ergonomic and which does not rise up.

How to take a drink and some warm clothes in SUP?

The disadvantage of the SUP is also that it does not have any waterproof storage nor of place which makes it possible to wedge some essential Objects; Its telephone, a cereal bar and a water bottle, one or two dry and hot clothing. No possibility of wedging that on its SUP. It is thus necessary to choose a good waterproof bag, with back or in Besace, or better, a bag which is suction cup on the deck of its board. There is one from Bic Sports, the market is not yet perfect on the subject but we have some versatile products that approach what it would take to be perfectly well equipped.

For more information, please refer to our SUP accessories selection.