Monday 11 April 2016

How To Choose The Right SUP Accessories For Your Needs

By James Harris


For anyone who is interested in watersports, the range of gear can be diverse and overwhelming. Whether you want to participate in SUP or another form of paddling, choosing the right equipment can help to ensure you are comfortable and safe when you are out on the water. Here is what you need to know about choosing the right gear if stand up paddleboarding is something you want to try.

This sport can be fun and challenging. It can help you develop strength, balance and endurance. Basically, an individual rides on a large board that can be made from various materials. Riders propel their board through the use of a long, single bladed paddle and steer their board in much the same way as they would paddle a canoe.

When you start looking at gear, you will quickly notice that there is a wide range of board sizes and styles. Some are meant for racing and may be more sharply pointed at the front. They tend to be quite easy to tip over. If you plan to travel longer distances or want a more stable model you may want to look at boards that are designed for touring instead of racing.

You may be surprised to learn that there are different paddles as well. The shaft is usually quite long although there are several different lengths available. If you are quite tall or fairly short you will need to consider whether the length of a particular model will suit your physique.

You need to make sure that you have a personal flotation device or life jacket with you when you paddle. You may want to consider one that is designed specifically for the sport. These often have a different design than one that is meant for other types of water sports. When trying one on, make sure that you can move your arms and body freely and that the device does not bind up or restrict your movement.

Tether straps come with some boards but if yours does not come with one, you will need to purchase one. This is a cord that attaches to a loop that is worn around your ankle or wrist. The other end is attached to the board. The purpose of the tether is to prevent a board from being lost if the rider is thrown off of it.

Clothes are something to consider as well. If the water is warm you may be able to simply wear a swimsuit or other normal clothing. If you are in the water when it is colder out, you may need to think about dry suits or other insulating pieces. You may also need to think of a way to keep your items dry if you are camping or bringing things with you.

Don't feel that you need to get everything at once. You can get a few basic pieces of gear and then start branching out as your paddling experience progresses. There are many places that you can buy gear including sports equipment stores, paddling specialty shops and websites that specialize in water sports gear.




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