Stand-up paddleboarding, or SUP, is an incredibly fun summertime activity that has been growing in popularity over the past several years. Suitable for people of any age and skill level, SUP is a great way to spend the summertime hours as you take in the spectacular views around you. However, for those who want a little more excitement in the sport, a multi-day SUP adventure is a great way to put your skills and stamina to the test.
Here’s our guide on how to pack for a multi-day SUP trip.
1. Invest in a paddleboard
The biggest expenditure that you’re going to be making is the paddle board itself. They don’t often come cheap, and you’ll be thankful that you didn’t sacrifice quality when you’re heading into day three of your trip. While a paddle board may cost you a pretty penny, you can get the same quality and function whilst reducing costs by investing in inflatable stand up paddle boards. These have the added benefit of being collapsible when not in use, so there’s more than one benefit to these innovative designs.
2. Get a great dry bag
Your gear is going to be strapped to your board, so you have to expect that your stuff is going to get a little wet. Fortunately, with a great dry bag, you can protect your warm clothes, sleeping gear, and electronics so that you can still enjoy their use when you need them the most. Seeing as you’ll be carrying all of your gear on your journey, you will want to keep your dry bag on the smaller side. We find that a bag with a capacity of 60 liters is sufficient for a three-day trip.
3. Ensure you have enough water
It may sound strange to remind you to pack water for your SUP trip, but you may not be visiting areas that have very good water quality. By packing some water and filtration devices, you can be sure that when you’re stuck in the worst of areas, you will be able to stay hydrated. In addition to that, make sure you have an adequate filtration system and some water treatment tablets so that you can clear your water of any nasty contaminants before you drink it. If you bring a reservoir, you can store your treated water for later, too.
4. Pack adequate clothing
It might be hard to pack for every eventuality, but by being smart about what clothing you bring, you’ll find yourself saving a lot of room. Aside from your shirts, pants, shorts, and sweaters, be sure to pack a raincoat, hat, sandals, and hiking boots. You never know what kind of weather is around the corner, and you may also find that you have to hike through the backcountry when you reach an area impassable by water.
A multi-day SUP adventure will bring you plenty of exciting experiences and help you create amazing memories as you move through the beautiful backcountry. However, if you forget to pack certain items and equipment, you may find that your experiences are somewhat hampered. Use our guide to ensure that you are prepared for every part of your adventure.