Paddle boarding is a popular water activity that can be enjoyed all year round. It’s a great way to stay active, get on the water, and have a fantastic day out.
Lots of people think that paddle boarding is just a summer activity, but that’s definitely not the case.
If you are going to enjoy paddle boarding all year round, then you need to make sure that you are wearing the right clothes and equipment for it.
In this article, we’ll be going over exactly what you need to wear when paddle boarding.
We’ll be talking about what to wear from spring through to winter, so you can enjoy your paddle-boarding experience, without worrying about what you’re wearing. So let’s get started!
What To Wear Paddle Boarding
Before we get into the different things you need to wear depending on what time of year it is, it is important to know the basics that you will need all year round.
Regardless of what time of year it is, you need to make sure that you are wearing the right safety gear.
You will of course need a PFD (personal flotation device) whenever you go paddle boarding.
If you are paddle boarding in the US, then you need to know that US Coast Guard considers paddle boards to be a vessel, so you will also need a USCG-approved life jacket.
If you are in another part of the world, you will need to check to see if this rule applies to you.
The other important thing to remember is that you will need a leash too. This leash will be tied around your ankle and it will tether you to your paddle board, so if you fall off the board, you won’t be stranded.
As long as you have these things, your safety should be covered. Now you know about that, let’s take a look at what you should wear at each time of the year.
What To Wear During The Spring & Fall
Spring and fall will require you to layer up correctly. The spring and fall have very similar temperatures, so it makes sense that you will need to wear the same kit for both seasons.
First, you will need to take your summer paddle-boarding kit and put that on. Once you have done that, you will need to layer up by adding a long-sleeved, waterproof shirt and/or jacket.
This will usually be enough for a lot of people, but if you are more susceptible to the cold, then you can even add another layer for more warmth.
Your main goal when deciding on these layers is to make sure that they dry quickly. If they stay wet, you are more likely to get colder faster.
You also need to make sure that you bring a dry bag, so you can take off layers if it gets a bit warmer.
What To Wear During The Summer
Summer is the easiest time of year to work out what to wear when paddle boarding. Because it is nice and warm during the summer months, you don’t have to worry so much about fending off the cold.
Most people are happy to just wear their swimsuit when paddle boarding in the summer, so if you want to do that you definitely can!
Women
As a woman, paddle boarding attire for the summer is super simple. If you feel comfortable enough just wearing your swimsuit, this is a logical option during the summer months.
However, if you do want to layer up, just make sure that your layers aren’t too thick.
You will also want to make sure that you are wearing a swimsuit underneath your layers. The best layers include shorts, a light t-shirt, a hat, and sunglasses.
You can also wear a rashguard, which will help protect you against the rays of the sun.
Men
For men, the same rules apply. If you feel comfortable enough just wearing your swimsuit, you can do this during the summer months.
Wearing swim trunks or board trunks means that you can get on and off the paddle board whenever you want.
If you do want to wear layers though, make sure that they aren’t too thick. It’s also a good idea to wear a rash guard, a light t-shirt, sunglasses, and a hat if you want to protect yourself from the sun.
What To Wear During The Winter
In order to enjoy paddle boarding in the winter, it’s mainly about preparation. You need to make sure you have the right layers and you are keeping yourself warm.
As long as you are wearing the right wetsuit and the water in which you’re paddle boarding isn’t life-threateningly cold, you should be fine.
When it comes to the wetsuit, you need to make sure your choice fits you well. If you decide to wear a rash guard underneath, you’re going to need to make sure your wetsuit has enough room for it, while also fitting you.
Regardless of if you’re a man or a woman, wetsuits are universal. Here are the different thickness types when it comes to wetsuits:
3-4mm Thick Wetsuit – Great for 50°F / 10°C Weather.
4-5mm Thick Wetsuit – Great for 30°F / -1C° Weather.
5-6 mm Thick Wetsuit – Great for 10°F / -12°C Weather.
The thickness of your wetsuit will depend on where you are going to paddleboard. You also have to make sure that you are wearing Thick Neoprene Booties and Neoprene Gloves during the winter months.
The Neoprene booties/shoes also come in different varieties of thicknesses, so you can make sure they match up with the wetsuit.
Conclusion
In order to enjoy paddle boarding all year round, you just need to make sure that you are prepared and have the right equipment. Summer is easy and doesn’t really require much prep, but winter is where you’re going to have to focus.
As long as you follow the advice we’ve included here, you’ll be able to paddle board regardless of what time of year it is!
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