The best gifts are the ones that show that you know the person and what they love. If someone on your list loves paddling, we’ve got you covered with our TOP 10 Gift Ideas for Paddlers & SUP Yogis.
1. A fixed carbon paddle. I’m sure your paddler has a paddle already. But most beginner / intermediate paddlers use relatively heavy and clunky adjustable paddles. A fixed carbon paddle will be an upgrade that will blow her mind - especially once she takes it out on the water and feels the difference.
What’s so special about this, you may ask? It paddles like a dream. The fact that it’s “fixed” means that it’s cut to size, so there are no extra pieces inside to make it adjustable. The carbon fiber material combined with the fixed construction makes this type of paddle lighter with less flex. This means more power with less effort - for every single stroke taken. Multiply that by the number of strokes taken on a single paddleboard adventure and then multiply that by how often your paddler goes out in a year… and you get the point. As a welcome bonus, the lighter paddle can reduce strain and lower the risk of injury from repetitive motion.
2. Cute & eco-friendly paddle attire. A paddler or SUP yogi can never have too many rashguards, sun suits, or quick-drying shorts and leggings. It’s amazing to have a variety of these essentials that can be mixed and matched for most mild weather conditions. I’m sharing a link below to one of my favorite brands who uses eco-friendly fabric & donates to a special marine cause with each print in their collection.
Want more outfit ideas? Check out our YouTube video on “What to Wear for SUP Yoga” for even more eco-friendly brands.
3. A safety essential - wearable PFD . A PFD (personal flotation device) is required to be on board by the US Coast Guard when paddling outside of a designated swimming or surfing area. Some paddle boarders simply strap a life vest to the board. While this may meet the requirements (local laws vary), it’s not the safest. The paddleboard itself is a flotation device. The point of having a PFD is in case the paddler is separated from the board. That’s why a wearable PFD is best. The waist pack PFDs (like the ones linked below) are a nice combination of safety & comfort because they are smaller and don’t restrict motion like bulky wearable vests, yet they are ready to inflate with just a tug on the cord in an emergency.
Want to learn more about the different styles & see them in action? Check out our YouTube video below.
4- The ultimate paddling essential: a dry bag. There’s always a few things you need to keep dry (Think phone, keys, wallet) while out on the water. While there’s a ton of different dry bags out there, some of them are cumbersome to open and close. The Yeti Sidekick is my favorite because it’s easy to use and the perfect size.
5- A big sunhat with maximum shade. For longer adventures, keeping the sun off the face and shoulders is key. I’ve had several over the years, but this Tula one is my favorite yet because it’s sustainably made of natural palm, it’s comfy, and it stays in place even in windy conditions.
6- Floaty Hat. What? A second hat on the list?! Yup. Because sometimes it’s nice to have a smaller baseball hat - especially for SUP yoga where the big hat would get in the way. This one will float if (or should I say when) it inevitably falls in the water.
7- Reef Safe Sunscreen. A mineral (non-nano zinc) based sunscreen like our favorite one below is safer for the person wearing it, and won’t harm our beloved (and essential) coral reefs. This one is locally made in small batches from a super short list of ingredients and smells amazing too!.
8- Stocking stuffer: A sunglass strap. How many pairs of lost sunglasses do you think there are at the bottom of the sea? Save the fate of your favorite paddler’s sunglasses (and also avoid accidental sunglasses litter) with this stap by Costa. Bonus points for the crazy surfer look.
9- Ocean-themed jewelry. Share ocean vibes from anywhere.
10- Gift card for a paddle lesson or SUP yoga class. This one is for my “experiences over things” people. If you’re local to Miami - we have gift cards that can be used for any class we offer or any product in our store. For those that are further, find a local teacher and support them with a gift card your paddler can use to advance her skills.
Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links, which means it helps to support me in creating more content at no additional cost to you. That said, I only share things that I love & use personally. 💙✨
Want to see that list in video form? Check out our YouTube video below!
Wishing you a holiday filled with love, light, and time out on the water!💙 ✨
