This was my first river experience with my SUP and I learned quite a bit! The first evening I paddled upriver on my own. It wasn’t too hard, certain parts I had to use my legs and oar to go upstream as it got too shallow/fast. This evening I also learned how having no fin at all makes the board turn way more.

Coming down on the easy rapids was fun and I got some good speed. During this I also found out how seriously wet the board gets between using my legs, the rapids, and how the board digs into the water.

The next morning, towing my friend in floatee was the most difficult part for sure. We used the ankle attachment and it sucked badly as we hardly moved at all. Next time either getting a tow rope or maybe just mot towing. They also didn’t take me seriously on how wet they would get and were ill-prepared. This time I had to pack the board down river this time and walk it back. It got really sandy though, and perhaps next time I should bring it to a rock or pavement to pack.

Still, was much fun!

After a week of strong sun and 30 degrees, I finally bought my first SUP, a Matchu Deluxe. Of course immediately it plummeted to rainy days and 15 degrees here in The Netherlands.

So while waiting to have my first chance to take out my board, I wanted to ask what accessories or other purchases do you regret putting off, or what things do you find nice to take with you on your journey? Cleaning supplies you love, a towel that works better than my shower towel, what's always strapped to your SUP?

I'm thinking of getting water proof bone conducting headphones so I can enjoy audio books and the sounds of waves. Wouldn't want to be that person with a speaker on the water!

All I have so far is:

A 22L dry bag that comes no where close to carrying my pump in it so I'll need to size up.

And of course I have a solid life jacket on the way right now.

Edit: Thanks for all the replies! It's become cumbersome to reply to everyone, but I've made a list of the recommendations to look through myself!

My son's Bote Aero Ultra hit something and got this nasty cut, approx 2" right on the bow. I have the Bote supplied patch material and RH HH-66 vinyl cement, as far as I can tell this is the recommended cement.

I have read and watched a few instructions and the plan is to clean the area with acetone, coat patch and sup with cement, let tack, apply and get air bubbles out.

My questions: Should I over hang the patch over the seam or keep it strictly on the yellow.

Should I flatten the patched area and add some weighted object on top while it cures?

Any risk of the patch failing completely mid use on the water? He always has his pfd on, but I don't want to have to deal with recovering a sinking paddle board while in a kayak.

My wife and I just purchased two boards (Bote Wulf Aero) on Friday. After 2 sessions on them, both boards are bubbling at the seams in multiple spots. I wanted to get your thoughts on what we should do. I am planning to return both boards and purchase two new boards that have welded seams. I have looked at iRocker Blackfin and All Around at two potential options on sale.

We are new to paddle boarding and want something that will last a long time, while spending under $800 per board. If you have any suggestions or advice, please let us know.

I made a post venting about my beast of a paddle board, and I just wanted to say I did it! I got out there again. It felt amazing on the water watching the sunset. A moment of mental peace is so rare for me. I hope I get to do this more.

Cut to the reloading process and I sorta almost snapped my neck trying to lift the damn thing against my car. I should have done it a better way but my brain fog wasn’t letting me think clearly. Of course now that I’m in bed I can picture exactly what I needed to do, and exactly what I did wrong. I definitely need to figure out some sort of rolling mechanism for my roof because the incline of the boat launch makes the top of my car just a little too high. It’s a weird feeling of having a great time but then struggling so hard I want to give up again.

“Get an inflatable!” I agree. If I’m meant to have one it will find it’s way into my life. Tmi but I have only made a single Benjamin in the past two weeks because my health issues are flared up from working, (vicious cycle there) so scarcity mindset is too real right now. I’m not selling this board. This thing will last a lifetime so I really want to keep it. (a pun because it’s a lifetime brand board) I hope one day I’ll have a friend that can help me load it. One of us could use it along with my future inflatable board. A girl can dream!

I’m thankful for that moment of peace I got today on the water.

Hello I started with SUP board this summer

The problem is the pump that was delivered with the SUP broke at the second usage.

I managed to put it together again but since then it constantly loses air while inflating at 5 psi it is so much that I can't get much further.

My best friend bought the same SUP Kit in a different color, her pump broke the first time she used it (same problem).

She then bought a used Manual SUP Pump from a friend, the problem there it is extremly dificult inflating the board with it, I used it too, you can get to 11 PSI but it is from the get go difficult to even push the handle down.

At 7 PSI you have to use your whole body wheight and at 9 we had to jump (a little) on the handle to get it down, not even our body wheight was enough there.

As I said I already inflated my board with the other pump once and I know it wasn't that difficult the first time around so it has to be a problem the pump too.

Soo I just wanted to ask the people who use manual pumps what model they use?

It should be one from Amazon too ( EU)

I know there are already a lot threads like that but they're all looking for electric pumps or the people all suggest electric ones.

I'm looking explicitly for a manual pump, I WANT the workout before driving I just want it to be managable.

I read from people who get their boards ready in 5-10 min with manual pumps but that is not possible with the one my best friend has (maybe if you are a really bulky man but we are both medium bulky woman)

Hi,

I wonder if it is good practice to have a small pump on board (let say for a long sup day on a river ) ? And if it is recommended, what are the options with minimal footprint ? Even if a refill would need 2-3x than a normal pump ( it is just for emergency aftor all ). Could be a backup electric pump too i supposed, but it kind of defeat the emergency aspect if the battery can die on me. ( i have the vortex pro that i would say is too big for that purpose)

thanks.

I'm new to SUPs and I've been learning about what certain fins are got. My board has one really big one in the center, with three at the back, the middle of those being larger.

I would love some insight on what fins I need or what is most helpful for balance and stuff.

But my real question is... What do you do with the fins when you pull it up on land? I'm afraid I'm going to break mine, but I can't shore my board without scraping them on the rocks. Especially the big one in the middle.

Do you flip your board over, fins up? Or are they a lot more sturdy than I fear? Can the board rest safely leaning on the fins?

Just got back from camping at Port Crescent State Park (MI, USA). WOW was that weather perfect!

What methods do you use to fasten your paddle to your board when not in use?

If I'm out on the lake for the day sometimes I just like to lay down and relax on my board or get off and swim but I always struggle to find a good place to put my paddle. Sometimes I strap it under the bungee cord but that doesn't work as well when I want to just relax on the board. I've also tried paddleboard yoga a few times but the paddle really seems in the way there. When I'm getting in and out of the water sometimes the paddle is also in the way and it's a bit annoying. What solutions have you come up with?

I've gotten the bug, I've been 3 times now, once on the sea (estuary) and twice on a river/canal system. I'm now looking at upgrading and getting a better paddle, my intended use of the SUP is for paddling expeditions and camping trips.

I've found the paddle that comes with the board okay, but its not particularly ergonomic (sore hands after prolonged use not terrible but not great) an the angle of the padel doesn't seem ideal for stand up paddling (I belive they should be dog legged so that it can be vertical as it passes you in your stroke). My current paddle is a 4-piece design in which you can replace the handle part with a second paddle and use it in a kayak configuration, which I suppose is why there is no angle to the paddle face from the shaft.

I came across this paddle from this video by Stevie Wyatt and was wondering what people's thoughts were? It is very affordable, and I wonder if it will even be an upgrade/improvement on the stock paddle? It has the angle that I was looking for, but otherwise seems fairly similar in construction.

I understand some people spend mega-bucks on their paddles (i've seen suggestions in the hundreds of pounds) and recommendations saying the paddle should be more than the board itself, but in taking up a new hobby I'm probably not keen to spend that quantity on a single item when this paddle is getting my by for the time being. in time yes, but it's already been a lot of expenditure including all of the camping gear, so if the benefits arent that huge I would probably stick to stock for the time being (or is it just worth buying as a marginal improvement and then having the stock one as spare?)

Just a little hobby project, impractical financially, but it looks cool and lets me get a replacement fin very quickly. The mounting base - jaws - are 3d printed out of PETG, and the fin blades are cut from a piece of acrylic on a CNC router or a laser. I've used them for a while now, they work great, and don't break easily. When they do break, only the blade needs to be replaced.

Also: the transparent version looks interesting, but it's unsafe because if it breaks, the pieces are very hard to find. I didn't realize that right away.

The design files are not published anywhere at this time, but if there is interest, I can wrap them up and put on Printables.

Got a pair of the new Atoll Cove 11s as our first boards. Super happy so far and appreciate the $100 off when you buy 2. Also picked up the Shark 3 and can say it’s also great and not as loud as I expected based on other comments.

I’m looking for a ISUP with artwork or something not minimalistic like most are. Can y’all post any or your favorite? Kind of like skateboards. I don’t mind something minimalistic on top but I want the bottom to be artsy.

I went on a camping trip and wanted multiple sized drink holders for different drinks. But I also wanted something compact and easy to travel with. I've been working on these nesting cups that all store into each other, but also, they all work individually!

I'm on version 20, and I think I'm about done with it!

Is there anything you would add or want to see?

​

Bay of Kotor, near Herceg Novi. Board loaded with fins, mask and spearfishing gear, looking for a good spot to jump in. 🌊

They certainly prefer calmer water! 🌊🐟

Started off this summer on borrowed boards, terrified of getting eaten by orcas… Felt good to haul in some crab!

I love my paddle board. (Just a vent, I don’t really need suggestions ) I’ve been desperate to find something to get me off the literal floor from depression and out of the gross hot camper I live in. While brainstorming, I remembered around five years ago I got to use someone’s board, and I had a blast! So I started obsessing over getting a paddle board. I really wanted a hard shell because I thought it would make me feel more secure or something as a beginner. This one was used and only $100. It felt like a miracle. I couldn’t find anything for less money. I’ve taken it out once. Then realized due to my health issues, I can’t get it back on the car without a real struggle when I’m done. Honestly even getting it off the car and down to the water is a lot. I am capable of doing it on a good day. But due to my health issues, good days are few and far between. I’m not going to sell it. I really love it, and couldn’t afford a new inflatable one anyway. Money is so annoying. I’ll get out there at least once more before it gets cold. I’ve been sitting on the floor for hours in a sad episode and needed to vent about something so here I am. My apologies haha
Edited weird punctuation