Anyone who has ever had a go at paddle boarding will tell you how much fun it is. If you’re lucky enough to own a paddle board, there are so many ways to enjoy and get the best out of them—for a start, paddleboard accessories can take your experience on the water to a new level.
Paddle boarding is one of the most popular watersports in the UK and abroad, mainly because of its accessibility. Although not an everyday sport for most of us, paddle boarding requires very little physical athleticism and so appeals to a broad demographic.
Whether you’re an experienced rider or a complete first-timer, paddle board accessories can make all the difference. As the popularity of paddle boarding grows, so too does the demand for paddle board accessories. And there are lots to choose from…
From cool gadgets to essential safety equipment, here are the 10 best paddle board accessories.
Paddle board carrier
If you sometimes find it difficult to carry your paddle board to the water or simply from your car to the beach, you’re not alone—many people do.
Carriers and carts are among the best accessories for paddle boarding out there. Simple but brilliant, paddle board carriers help take the stress and difficulty out of lugging your board about, especially if it’s kept inflated between use while on holiday and so on.
There are lots on the market to choose from, from manual carriers to metal carts. However, carriers with a padded shoulder strap help redistribute the board’s weight and make physical carrying a breeze, while a cart does all the hard work for you.
Related: 10 best paddle board carts [2022]
Dry bag
Valuable or not, a dry bag is another accessory you might want to consider if you’re taking things out on the water with you. After all, you can’t put everything in your pockets, and doing so won’t save your things if you fall in the water anyway.
Dry bags do exactly what they say on the tin—keep your stuff safe and dry. They’re perfect for storing things like spare t-shirts, small towels, sun cream, and so on.
It’s unlikely your paddle board alone has ample storage, so a dry bag is a more than worthy addition.
Related: Best dry bags for paddle boarding in 2022
Paddle board seat
As fun as paddle boarding is, standing up for long periods can tire you out, especially in warm weather—so a paddle board seat is the perfect addition to keep you out on the water for longer.
Of course, you may also want to just sit down and relax in the sunshine for a bit. Yes, you could just sit on the board itself, but what if you want to lean back a bit and take the pressure off your back?
The addition of a backed seat can essentially transform your paddle board into a kayak, allowing you to either keep paddling or chill out for a while—your choice.
Related: 10 best paddle board kayak seats [2022]
Waterproof phone case
As a paddle boarder, you probably enjoy taking your phone out with you to capture pictures and videos, and also so you can contact someone in an emergency. However, your phone is at serious risk of damage or breaking when out on the water.
Investing in a waterproof case is the only way to fully protect your phone from water damage.
Phones come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s best to look for a universal case as it’ll stop you from having to buy a new one every time you get a new phone. Universal waterproof phone cases are sturdily built and can last years if looked after properly.
They’re also sometimes big enough to store other smaller valuables that must be kept dry.
Related: The best waterproof iPhone cases for taking on holiday this year
Paddle board pump
In a rush? Paddle board pumps are a great accessory if you don’t want to spend loads of time pumping up your board manually.
As well as that, pumping manually exerts a substantial amount of energy, which you’d probably rather save for when you’re actually out on the water.
Pumps can either connect to a car or vehicle battery, an external battery pack, or any other electrical connection which you might have available in your car or vehicle, such as a 12V port.
An electric pump saves you bags of time so that you can focus more on the fun stuff instead.
Related: Best electric pumps for inflatable paddle boards
Cooler
If you’re blessed with good weather on paddle boarding day, it can be very easy to clock up several hours out on the water—so it’s wise to take some refreshments along to keep you going. That’s why having a cooler or cool box for your paddle board makes perfect sense.
Coolers are available in various shapes and sizes, so you’ll be able to find a suitable one no matter what kind of paddle board you have. You can also choose between a flexible or hard cooler.
Both have pros and cons—but flexible coolers are our recommended pick for watersports. They’re more lightweight, can be squeezed into tight gaps when space is limited, and there’s less chance of hurting yourself on them if you fall on bumpy water.
Related: Best paddle board coolers for 2022
GoPro camera
It’s not just your mobile phone that can capture those memorable paddle boarding moments, of course.
In fact, GoPro cameras are one of the very best paddle board accessories—especially if you fancy yourself as a nifty online content creator. There are loads of paddle board YouTubers for inspiration here, many of whom use a GoPro.
As good as some mobile phone footage can be, there’s arguably no better option than a GoPro for capturing stuff like this. Not only do GoPros allow you to record your water memories in high resolution with excellent sound, but you can also easily share them with friends and family.
Bungee cords
Wondering how to stop your things from falling off your paddle board and into the water? Two words: bungee cords.
Bungee cords (occasionally referred to collectively as a ‘tie-down system’) attach to your board’s tie-down points and stretch across to either side, allowing you to effectively ‘strap’ things in underneath them, as seen in the image above.
Bungee cords are a very useful accessory if you like to take various bits and bobs out on the water with you, such as a dry bag.
Related: What to look for in a paddle board cargo tie-down system
Life jacket
Life jackets or vests are not so much an accessory but are instead an essential part of your paddle boarding equipment.
Wearing a life jacket out on the water can protect you in tough weather conditions and give you the confidence to brave choppy waters on your paddle board. As the name would suggest, a life jacket can be the difference between life and death if you fall in the water and get into difficulty.
There are many life jackets on the market, but the buoyancy and fitting should be your top priorities when considering a purchase.
Related: How to choose the right life vest for stand-up paddle
Fishing rod holder
If you’ve never fished from a paddle board, you don’t know what you’re missing. Believe it or not—it’s one of the most fun things you can do while out on the water.
Fishing from a paddle board, as opposed to sitting at the side of the water, or even sitting in a kayak, means you can move spots more freely and get a better view of the fish from above, too.
However, if you are planning to fish (of course, check fishing is permitted where you are beforehand), a fishing rod holder is a useful add-on to save you from having to hold the rod when not in use.
Related: How to fish from a paddle board: a beginner’s guide to SUP fishing
Specialist paddle board insurance with Insure4Boats
If your paddle board is souped-up with accessories, it makes perfect sense to protect everything with specialist paddle board insurance.
Specialist paddle boat insurance with Insure4Boats is designed to help protect you against theft, damage, and loss.
You get £3m of Public Liability with your policy as standard, meaning you’ll be protected should you injure somebody or damage property while out paddle boarding. You can also choose to add useful extras like Personal Accident and European cover, too, to protect yourself on the water both in the UK and abroad.
Learn more about specialist paddle boarding insurance with Insure4Boats and get a bespoke quote online today.
Related
The 7 best paddle boarding locations in the UK
The 11 best stand-up paddle boarding locations in Cornwall
The best places to paddle board in Europe
Please note the information provided on this page should not be taken as advice and has been written as a matter of opinion. For more on insurance cover and policy wording, see our homepage.
