Essential Paddleboard Kit List: Hit The Water With Confidence

Paddleboarding is a fantastic activity for women of all ages and fitness levels.  It’s a low-impact workout that improves balance, core strength, and cardiovascular health, all while surrounded by the beauty of nature.  Whether you’re attending a Women’s Outdoors Paddleboarding for Beginners Event or striking out on your own, here’s a handy Paddleboard kit list to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable experience.

WOMEN OUTDOORS QUICK LINK KIT LIST! 

A full breakdown of our recommendations can be found below, but for those who like to get down to the nitty gritty – here’s out quick link kit list! 

Paddleboarding

What's the Main Things I Need if I Start Up Paddleboarding?

If you love Paddleboarding as much as we do, becoming instantly hooked and want to venture out alone or with friends, below is our ‘’essential’’ guide with our tried and tested recommendations!

Simply follow the links in pink to view these items in more detail and to buy!

  • Paddleboard: Choose a board that suits your height, weight, and paddling style.
  • Paddle: The right paddle length and blade size will make paddling more efficient and comfortable.
  • Pump: Inflate your paddleboard quickly and easily with a high-quality pump.

  • Leash: A leash tethers you to your board, preventing it from drifting away if you fall in.

This is the link to our recommended, Paddleboard, Paddle, Pump and Leash Combo!

💚  This is the Fanatic Paddleboard used in Women Outdoor lessons, as we feel it’s the best value for money.

💚  We love the Fanatic Brand it’s one of the worlds leading paddleboard manufacturers, producing high quality products that last, whilst being at the lower end of the price market, making it a great choice for those testing the water.  Being a well respected brand, it will also hold it’s value if want to upgrade and sell in the future. 

💚  The Fanatic Fly Air Pure Inflatable SUP 10’8 is good size and  is a great allrounder for beginners and intermediate paddleboarders as it’s deep, robust, high quality and very sturdy.  

💚 The bundle includes paddle, pump, leash, repair kit and a bag which doubles up as a rucksack, for easy carrying.  On top of all that – the colour is amazing and looks so cool, so your social media photos will look great too!

Quick Release Belt:
Allows you to quickly detach from your leash in case of an emergency.

💚 This a fantastic safety feature and costs just over a tenner!

Some paddleboarders opt for an ankle leash with a coil connecting you to the board, keeping you attached to the board if you were to fall off, preventing your board for floating downstream.   

💚  However, we always recommend the Gekufa SUP Waist Leash Quick Release Adjustable Waist Belt which connects to your waist instead and enables a quick emergency release should you and your board get your leash stuck on any rocks or under water debris, etc.  

Electric Pump: 
For easier and time saving inflation

💚  We always recommend the OutdoorMaster 20 PSI Electric SUP Pump Paddle Board Pump as its light, quiet, pumps extra fast, and can be used on all boards from the smaller to larger boards.  It also has a digital display and an auto off switch, so you’ve no risk of popping your board.  These are all the great features you’ll need, yet still remains at the lower end of the market, providing excellent value for money. 

Buoyancy Aid: 
Last but by no means least – this item is an essential safety item, providing buoyancy in case of any accidental slips into the water.

💚 Palm – a great mid range brand, and the most popular thanks to its slim design and great fit. It’s well engineered, performs brilliantly, looks great, making it great value for money.

Recommended Paddleboard Kit List for Beginners

What should I wear to paddleboard?

Wetsuit
A wetsuit provides warmth in cooler waters.

💚  Gul wetsuits are impeccably good quality at the lower end of the market range. You’ll find it difficult to out wear this suit. The G-Force 3mm suit is an entry level suit designed to get you in the water for the first time. The 3mm suit will be adequate for April – October. 

If you’re new to paddleboarding and attending a Women Outdoors Paddleboarding Event, then you’ll be relieved to know that all the essential equipment is provided for you. 

All you really need to bring is a swimsuit, a towel, change of clothes, water & snacks and your sense of adventure!

However, below is our ‘’recommended’’ kit list for those looking to pursue paddleboarding as a new hobby. 

 

Swimsuit:
A swimsuit is perfect for warmer days. Some prefer, a longer sleeved swim suit for extra protection.

💚 We love EVERYTHING Roxy here at Women Outdoors.  We particularly love this Roxy Long Sleeve Swimsuit.  The recycled material is great – super-soft, strong and stretch resistant, making it really comfy and long lasting.  The easy back-zip closure makes dressing and undressing easy and, combines both fashion and functionality for water adventures.

It adds a little extra warmth for the colder water, but also protects your shoulders from being sunburnt.

Water Shoes:
Protect your feet from rocks and uneven surfaces.

💚  We’d highly recommend these Swim Shoes as they’re breathable, lightweight (for easy carrying), quick drying  and affordable.  The upper fabric is smooth with good elasticity, making them comfortable and easy to take on and off.  The non-slip rubber sole is soft and thick, protecting your feet from stones and rocks.

What other equipment might I need if I take up paddleboarding?

Dry Bag & Phone Case:
Keep your belongings safe from splashes and unexpected dips.

💚 The Blackace Arteesol Dry Bag comes in a range of sizes (5L, 10L, 20L, 30L).  We find the 20L is an ideal size and has plenty of room for all your kit.  It’s 100% waterproof and made from robust high quality material to last a life time.  It has a handy shoulder strap for easy carrying, has a free waterproof phone case, and comes in a range of bright colours.  Again, proving to be great value for money!

Women Outdoors is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that is what allows us to keep producing free content. 

Waterproof Phone Case:
Protect your phone from water damage while still having access to take photos or use navigation apps.

💚 For less than a tenner, the JOTO Waterproof Phone Pouch is a great buy and is great for those who don’t want to opt for a dry bag straight away and simply want to keep their phone dry. 

💚  It’s 100% waterproof and suitable for most phones (please check link for compatibility).  All this means you’re able to capture your adventures taking photos under water and above water.  Above all else, this is a fantastic safety feature too as you can keep your phone will you at all times and call for help if required. 

Poncho:  A lightweight poncho is a lifesaver for changing out of wet clothes, a thicker poncho provides added comfort on those cooler days and waterproof ponchos enable you to take shelter from sudden rain showers too.

Microfibre towel poncho 
Great if you need to hike if need to hike to your chosen water spot ~ It folds small into your backpack, its light and super absorbent!

💚 We always recommend Winthome Changing Robe Poncho as it’s one of the best value for money ponchos on the market.  It’s great for use as a changing robe for privacy after a paddle or swim, or as a beach towel.  It enables you to dry quickly and stay warm after leaving the water. Its lightweight materials means it dries quickly too and folds small into your rucksack.  Even better, it comes in some lovely colours too. 

Bathing towel poncho
Thicker material to keep you warm, which is great for those colder days!

💚 For those who prefer a little extra warmth, the Winthome Changing Bath Robe is a great choice as its super absorbent and fluffy, keeping you warm and cosy.

Dryrobe
Excellent quality and waterproof too, making them the ideal choice for cold or rainy days.  They’ll last a long time and can be used as a waterproof coat too.

💚 Although more expensive, these Dryrobes really are amazing and very versatile, with many wearing them as general coats nowadays too, so you’re sure to get your wear out of them. (Football mum’s love them!)  They’re 100% waterproof and windproof with an inner fleece keeping you warm and dry at all times.  They’re great for using an oversized changing robe whatever the weather. 

Sun Cream (SPF 30+):
Water reflects of the water,  causing a higher risk of sunburn. Apply liberally and reapply throughout the day, especially after getting out of the water.

💚  We’ve chosen this particular Mountain Sun Cream  as its Factor 50, highly water resistant, sweat resistant and specifically designed for those who are active in and out of the water, providing up to 8 hours protection. Its also jelly fish repellent too.   The handy stick design makes it easy to fit into your kit bag too. 

Sunglasses:  
Shield your eyes from the sun’s glare. A strap helps prevent them from falling overboard.

💚 With so many different styles, the choice really is yours here ladies.  However, for use on the water, we would recommend those with a coating to repel water, and wrap around frames, to protect your eyes from the sun, wind and water spray. A secure fit is also important, or even a fitted strap to prevent them falling off while you’re own the water.  Try to choose floatable frames just in case. 

By having the proper gear, you can focus on enjoying the serenity of paddling on the water.  With Women Outdoors, you’ll have a supportive community and qualified instructors to guide you on your paddleboarding journey.

So, grab a board, get your kit ready, and have fun on the water! 

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