Whats on Board for the SUPpup?
There are essential safety items for every adventure you partake in. SUP/Paddleboarding is no different. And when you take a dog, there’s a few extra doggie essentials that you must remember to pack along. Our paddleboard essentials include items for safety, comfort, and fun.
There are 8 things we take on board at all times when we SUP with Riley. Some people think we have too much on the board, but I have tried to scale it back, and every time I take something off, I go out and need it! So here are the 8 items that I don’t SUP without. There may be other things added depending on what the plan is (i.e., small cooler bag with snacks and lunch), but these are my bare essentials:
1. Dog life vest.
This is on Riley before he even reaches the beach. A life vest is essential for both human and dog. It is a safety piece we never leave shore without.
Riley is not a confident swimmer. He can swim, just doesn’t like to and really does not enjoy it. The life vest has given him confidence to swim when he falls off the board and knowing that even if he exhausts himself I can still grab him and pull him in is a huge stress relief off of me! Get a vest that fits your dog. There are lots of options out there, and they are each of their own pros and cons.
When selecting a vest for Fido, try it on first! Every vest fits every dog differently. Find one that fits Fido and will keep him afloat if he’s unconscious. Once you’ve found that, look at the features and see if it will work for your needs. No vest is going to be perfect for us humans, but the fit on the dog is the most important in this. If your dog is not comfortable on Fido, then Fido won’t be comfortable swimming and moving it.
Riley wears a red Helios Dog Life Vest. He is a size medium, but we needed to adjust the strap under his neck to fit properly. The most important measurement when selecting a vest for Fido is the girth. For barrel chested breeds, this is paramount for selecting a vest to fit. You can adjust the velcro and clip straps, but you can’t add more materials, so try it on first wherever you can.
2. Life Vest for Yourself
Safety first and always! A life vest is not just for if you can’t swim or are only an average swimmer. If you fall into cold waters your muscles may seize and you won’t be able to swim. The life vest gives others a chance to see you and help you. It keeps you above water when you physically can’t! I love my Body Glove but many prefer a vest designed for kayakers. Personally I feel safer in my full vest. Research the different types of life vests that are out there to find the one that suits your needs, the waters you will be paddling, and your skill level.
3. Collapsible water dish for Fido
Don’t let Fido drink from the lake if you can help it. Beaver fever is not fun for anyone! Bring fresh drinking water with you both for yourself and for your pup. A collapsible dish is light and easy for transporting, and if you are able to get one with a carabiner, then you can clip it easily to your board and not worry about it falling in. I use this dish year-round (as you can tell with the snow). We also have an ultralight Ruffwear collapsible bowl for backpack trips, too.
4. Toy
Floating toys are great for taking on a paddleboard! They keep Fido entertained and don’t sink, which means fetch just got a whole lot wetter. Throw them for Fido to retrieve, tie them to the board for chewing, or leave loose for Fido to play with.For those who don’t have floating toys, don’t worry! Just clip/teather/tie a toy to your board through the D-rings or bungees for easy retrieval from the water when they fall in.
5. Treats!
Bring a ziplock or waterproof pouch FULL of treats, especially if you are just starting out with Fido. If you’ve ever done clicker training, use it when you start SUPing with Fido. It made the learning curve so much more enjoyable for both me and my Riley. He LOVES his clicker!
6. Dry bag
Dry bags keep your dry stuff dry. They are a MUST on the water. Put a towel, cell phone, keys, extra treats, sunscreen, hats, etc. in your bag to keep them contained and safe if you tip in. Make sure you teather the bag to your board. You don’t want the bag to fall in and sink or float away.
My dry bag is a 5L, and I find it can be a bit small some days. I also ordered a 10L in the same bag off amazon and tend to use it frequently. You can always roll the bag smaller, but you can’t add volume to the bag. That said, you don’t want it too big and in the way either. The 10L is the perfect size dry bag for our needs.
7. Mesh deck bag
This holds all the miscellaneous items that don’tneed to be kept dry. The water bottles, the patch kit, extra toys, throw rope, etc. This bag is gold. A deck bag attaches to your board and is your catch all, for me it is paramount for all the extras with Riley and makes the trip so much nicer with everything zipped into something. A deck bag also means all these things aren’t going for a dive to the bottom of the lake when you fall in!
8. Sun protection
Be it sunscreen, hat, rash guards, or whatever other sun protection you use, bring it out with you! The last thing you want is to be a tomato tomorrow. I LOVE my SailBee rash guard. It’s bright, its light; it’s not too fitted but still fitted enough not to hamper my movements.
What are your must haves on board?
ASR Adventures 