Taking your paddleboard to the beach on a summer day is a superb way to soak up the sunshine and enjoy an adventure on the water. For some, such an excursion takes the form of an exciting experience among the waves, racing across the water and exploring hidden locations. For others, it is an opportunity for serenity, with the board enabling an escape from the crowds and a platform for meditation on the water.
Regardless of what takes you onto the water, it is important that you remain safe. During the summer, there are a number of considerations to ensure that those who venture out don’t encounter the common pitfalls of first-time paddleboarders. Here’s everything that you need to know.
Buoyancy Aid
Perhaps the most fundamental accessory for those paddleboarding on the water is a buoyancy aid. This simple and affordable addition to your equipment can make a significant difference to those who fall into the water.
While some might think of buoyancy aids as cumbersome, especially jackets that can restrict movement and comfort, modern designs have made them far more discreet and useful. Some can even be contained to belts, remaining concealed until manually activated.
Dress Appropriately
A common issue many experience is associated with wearing the wrong attire. Some will, for example, neglect to wear a hat or sunglasses, not realising that the sun can be far more intense during the summer period, even leading to issues like ‘surfer’s’ eye.
Board Leash
Another fundamental of paddleboarding is remaining attached to your board. Beginners, especially those that venture out onto choppier waters, are likely to fall in on occasion. Getting back onto a board from the water can prove a challenge, especially if an individual is feeling a sense of panic, and, as such, boards can often end up drifting away from riders, putting them in danger.
Leashes are generally connected to ankles and will remain unnoticed until needed, making them an essential of the paddleboarding experience. However, there are also quick-release options that connect to waists, making them even easier to access in the water.
Communicate
Whenever you venture out onto the water, it is recommended that you tell others where you are going. There are a number of circumstances, especially those involving tides, in which an individual can very easily be taken off-course. In such circumstances, it is paramount that others have as much information as possible.
Some paddlers will keep a mobile phone or tracking device with them, especially if they are embarking on a particularly long journey across the water.
Research The Area
While jumping onto your board and exploring is an incredibly exciting prospect, it is important to research the area you are visiting. This is not only to ascertain what type of terrains, currents, and accessibility a location has but also the type of weather to expect too. Different environments can be drastically different depending on the climate of the day.
Stay Aboard
If you do happen to get lost or find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, be sure to stay on top of your board and signal for help from the safety of your platform.
