5 Perfect Gifts for Paddleboarders

We all know someone who is really passionate about their hobby, but we as gift givers have no clue what to get them. Paddleboarding is definitely one of those hobbies! It’s become one of the biggest new water sports in recent years, which definitely increases the odds that you know someone who loves it. So what do you do when you want to get them a gift? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Be it a gift to celebrate the holidays, a birthday, or just because, we’ve compiled some of the best gifts for paddleboarders to get you started.

One of the reasons paddleboarding is so popular is that there are many ways to enjoy the sport. It can be a leisurely float on a lake, an adventure exploring the scenery down a river, or even an exciting day catching waves in the ocean. This versatility means that there are different accessories or equipment that each paddleboarder can use to totally personalize their experience.

The 5 Gifts for Paddleboarders That Keep Giving Every Journey

Many paddleboarders who are just starting with the sport rent paddleboards and personal floatation devices (PFDs). As there are so many different options on the market now, this can be a great way to test things out and see what equipment they might want to invest in. If the paddleboarder in your life goes multiple times a year, it’s about time they own instead of renting their gear.

We have researched not only the best equipment, but also all of the best accessories to help you find the perfect gifts for paddleboarders. 

1. Stating the obvious, start with the paddle board

As we’ve mentioned, many beginners rent or borrow a paddleboard when they first start. It’s a great way to make sure they love the sport enough and figure out what kind of equipment they need. Once they know for sure it’s a long-term commitment, owning a board will definitely be more affordable than renting. This is where you can step in! Chances are they may have researched it themselves and mentioned what kind of board they like, but if they haven’t, we have a few suggestions.

We vetted many different paddleboards and found that the Advenor is our top pick. It’s an inflatable paddleboard that comes with many of the starting necessities any paddleboarder would need, including an adjustable paddle, leash (so the board doesn’t drift away if the user falls off), waterproof bag, and more. Inflatable paddleboards are becoming popular due to the fact they’re lightweight and convenient to carry and store, so we’ve got a specific guide to help you learn more about which one is right for your paddleboarder here.  

2. Safety second – Reliable PFDs

If they already have their own paddleboard, they can never have too much safety gear! The coastguard classifies a paddleboard as a vessel, so they are required to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) if they are outside of designated surfing, swimming, or bathing areas. This means that if your paddleboarder has their sights set on exploring as much water as they can, they will definitely need their own trustworthy PFD. It’s also especially important if they are ever paddleboarding solo, as help could be far away. A PFD is a gift that gives twice: a gift of safety for the paddleboarder, and a gift of reassurance for you! 

 

Luckily, for those fashion-conscious adventurers, PFDs are becoming more discreet and stylish, as well as more reliable and effective as technologies advance. For these reasons, our top suggestions would be the Onyx Inflatable Belt and the Onyx Paddle Sports Vest. Inflatable belts are a great, non-restrictive, low-profile, and compact design alternative to a traditional life vest. 

If you want to do a little more research of your own (and why not), we also have this guide to different PFDs that we think would make a perfect paddle board present.

3. Bringing your things along for the ride with dry bags

 

Paddleboarding is great. Paddleboarding with access to your most important possessions is even better. Being able to take your phone, wallet, keys, snacks, and more with you while you’re out adventuring means you can be ready for anything. The solution? Dry bags. A watertight and airtight bag that’s way better than a plastic sandwich or grocery bag. Our top pick for the best of these is the Wise Owl Outfitters dry bag. It comes in three sizes, in blue or black, and lives up to the expectations. If you’re looking for more options such as pouches, or different colors or sizes, we’ve also put together a guide to the best dry bags, too. 

4. Making memories and sharing the experience with a waterproof GoPro

 

These days it can feel like something didn’t happen if you don’t have a video or photo to prove it. Make sure it’s even easier for your paddleboarder to remember and share their adventures with the ultimate in-adventure recording – a GoPro. A cell phone can go in the dry bag, but that isn’t convenient for capturing the beauty of the open water at any moment. The HERO7 comes with a Super Suit Dive case, but is already waterproof without it up to 33 feet down and features movement stabilization which predicts and corrects camera shake for the best and most shareable moments. The best thing about a GoPro is that there’s almost no activity or sport it isn’t perfect for. With the endless variations of wearable or equipment mounts, a GoPro is a great investment for someone who loves multiple types of activity or adventure.

5. Enjoying lunch and beverages with a waterproof cooler

 

Picture this scene: they’re sitting on a paddleboard on the water in the sunshine, floating their cares away and enjoying an ice-cold drink with some lunch. What bliss! Die-hard paddleboarders can stay out on the water for a whole day, but staying hydrated and keeping hunger away can call them back to land. With a portable waterproof cooler, you can eliminate that need and keep them doing what they love for longer. Our favorite is this Wise Owl Backpack Cooler, because it’s so easy to wear out on the water and keeps things exceptionally cold. Staying hydrated and energized for a long day of paddleboarding is one of the best gifts for paddleboarders. 

Now You Know the Top Gifts for Paddleboarders

This guide is by no means exhaustive when it comes to gifts for paddleboarders, but any of these gifts would help them be fully-equipped for their favorite hobby. As a sport that can be enjoyed in so many ways, it’s up to the individual how they want to experience it. Some might be more into the high-thrill of surfing, others might want to take it easy exploring the smooth waters of lakes and rivers. Whatever their style, they’ll be sure to appreciate any gift that shows you thought about them and what they love.

As activities like paddleboarding become more popular, there are more products and accessories coming to the market all the time. This can be a double edged sword, as not all of them can be winners and it can be time consuming and challenging to find what you need. This is why we took it upon ourselves to save you time by testing many of them and only recommend the best to you. Any water sport has inherent risks, and by giving paddleboarders the highest-quality equipment, they’ll be the safest possible when doing what they love.

 

 

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