Stand-up paddle boarding is more popular than ever, with the number of people participating increasing exponentially as the weather warms up. But paddle boarding isn’t just a summer activity, with the right thermal protection you can paddle board to your heart’s content all year round.
What you wear paddle boarding in the summer, needs to balance keeping you warm/cool with protection from the sun.
At the height of the summer, or if paddle boarding in warmer climes, a rash vest and a pair of boardshorts coupled with a reef-friendly sunscreen are all you’ll need for a fun time on the water. A rash vest offers minimal thermal protection but will keep your arms, shoulders and back protected from the sun’s harmful glare. Boardshorts are a great accompaniment as they are lightweight and quick to dry – try to avoid denim or heavy cotton shorts as these will say wet for longer and may chafe.
But if you feel the cold, are planning to stay out longer, or if you’re learning and tend to spend more time in the water than on the board, then a wetsuit is ideal. A wetsuit will help you to maintain your core body temperature, should you fall in, and the ergonomic design of modern wetsuits means you’ll still have a full range of movement. A shorty may be enough, but a full-length wetsuit also doubles up as the ultimate sun protection.
What you wear on your feet when paddle boarding in the summer has more to do with comfort than keeping warm. Footwear is often a good idea when learning as it gives you additional grip on the board. Where you’re launching from is also a consideration when deciding whether to go barefooted or not. If you’re taking off from a lovely sandy beach then bare feet would be fine, but if you’re launching from a rocky shoreline then a pair of neoprene boots or aqua shoes are definitely a must.
In the winter, what you wear when paddle boarding is all about keeping warm. Getting cold can easily turn a glorious day out on the water into a miserable one.
Starting at the top and working down, a woolly hat or beanie is a good idea as we lose around 10% of our body heat through our heads and a hat is a quick and easy fix.
To protect your core, a thicker 3-5mm full-length or long john wetsuit will work well, but if you don’t fancy getting wet at all then a drysuit with a quality base layer, of appropriate thickness, would be a good option for you.
If you’re a confident paddler and will just be paddling on flat water, then you may be more comfortable wearing a separate top and bottom. For example, pairing a jacket or hooded top with a long john wetsuit or neoprene leggings would give you the protection you need from the elements, without restricting your upper body movement.
Moving on to the extremities! Dexterity is a must when paddling, but it’s lost as your fingers go numb. A pair of neoprene gloves is the answer, keeping your fingers nice and toasty, even when wet.
Last, but not least, are your feet. Thermal protection around your feet and toes will make all the difference to your comfort afloat. As you don’t need as much flexibility in your feet as you do your arms when paddle boarding, you can wear a few more millimetres of neoprene – anything between 4 and 6.5mm is ideal. And if the boot has a non-slip sole, even better, as this will make it easier when you launch and land.
If you don’t want to invest in another pair of boots, but your summer ones are just a little too chilly, you can always pop a pair of thermal socks under your boats adding another layer of protection.