How to dress for paddle boarding throughout the seasons?

Paddle boarding, a water and water activity that combines balance, strength and communion with nature. Walk in the middle of nature without noise to discover what surrounds you. It is becoming more and more popular. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned enthusiast, it’s essential to choose the right outfit to fully enjoy this moment of sporty escape. In this article, we will explore the different seasons and the equipment suitable for paddling with peace of mind.

How to dress for paddle boarding whatever the season?

If the outfit is not adequate, you can very quickly become cold and possibly put yourself at risk if the conditions change quickly.

Adapting your outfit seems fundamental to us to do stand up paddle whatever the weather. Even in winter, paddling will bring you great pleasure, far from the hustle and bustle of our “full speed” lives.

How to dress for Paddle Boarding in Winter?

1. Tips for staying warm and safe:

First of all, winter is a season when there are few people on the water and therefore potentially problematic if you have a hypothermia problem or a problem with equipment. So the choice of your equipment is fundamental. In winter in cold water, it is impossible to stay in the water without a wetsuit for a long time.

Don’t go alone if possible. Sharing these moments in nature with others on a paddle board is always better. But especially in case of a problem, it allows you to have a person next to you to help you. So to guarantee maximum safety, practice with others. If not, we invite you to inform at least one of your relatives and to give the route you are going to take and a departure and arrival time.

Use a buoyancy aid: Wear a life jacket or flotation device for your safety in winter. On the one hand, it will keep you warm, but it will allow you to float better if something goes wrong. You can take a look at our pro impact vest which can also be used for paddle boarding.

Use a board leash. This is fundamental. Attach your board with a leash to your foot to avoid losing it in the event of a fall.

2. Choice of outfit for paddle boarding in winter.

Even more so for this season, the choice of outfit is fundamental. Very quickly, you can get cold.

There are several neoprene or other wetsuit options such as dry suits.

As a first step, you can use a neoprene wetsuit thicker or thinner. The thicker the thickness, the warmer you’ll be. However, you will have difficulty moving properly. So you’ll be using a lot of energy.

The purpose of this combination is to limit the loss of energy and heat and keep your body at the right temperature. To do this, when you fall, the suit will trap a thin layer of water that will warm your body. It should be noted that these out-of-water suits are less effective than when you are in the water.

The second option is the hybrid solution: neoprene pants or long johns with a breathable top or a windbreaker.

This solution is a good alternative because on the one hand the neoprene pants or the long john are usually quite thin and therefore not hindering to move. The long john is a sleeveless wetsuit allowing great mobility and flexibility of the upper body and good thermal protection of the lower body.

Combine with a top that cuts the wind and possibly underlayers under the wind, you will never be cold. Opt for a breathable top that allows perspiration to pass through. You can go with fleece tops for example. However, don’t forget to take a spare change and allow yourself to change in case of a fall. (A small volume dry bag can be used for a change of clothes).

This design provides paddlers and water sports enthusiasts, such as paddle boarding, with greater freedom of movement in the upper body. It promotes more natural gestures and makes it easier to perform various actions, such as rowing, turning or adjusting the position on the board. The long john is rather adapted to slightly milder weather conditions.

The last option is to choose a dry suit. This solution is very interesting because it combines total heat (since air cannot enter) and freedom of movement thanks to its low thickness. It keeps you dry even if you fall into the water. Thanks to their waterproofing, these suits prevent water from entering and keep you comfortably protected from humidity and cold. These wetsuits usually incorporate a hood so even in rain or strong wind, you won’t lose heat.

Remember, 30% of our heat goes through our extremities: head, feet and hands.

This option remains the best option for paddle boarding in winter, it allows you to maintain a good level of mobility for maximum performance while preserving your body heat.

But that’s not all. As we mentioned earlier: feet, hands and head are the places where we lose the most energy and heat. So don’t forget to equip yourself with neoprene slippers and gloves and/or hat

In short, how to dress for paddle boarding in winter.

To paddle serenely and warmly in the middle of winter, choose warm equipment by covering the extremities. By layering the different layers, for example, with dry suits, even in sub-zero temperatures, you will never feel cold. Don’t forget your safety equipment: leash, life jacket or buoyancy aid and possibly have a hot drink to warm up handy.

How to dress for Paddle in Spring or Mid-Season?

Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned enthusiast, choosing the right outfit is essential to get the most out of this mid-season experience. The temperatures are starting to rise, as well as the water temperature but not enough to go in a swimsuit. So you have to opt for a wetsuit that is lighter than in winter but enough so as not to catch a cold.

If it’s the resumption following the winter break, you will then resume paddle boarding and therefore, you will need some time to adapt. Anticipate potential falls due to shutdown during the winter.

1. Tips for staying warm and safe:

You can use a dry suit as seen earlier by removing the insulated layers underneath the suit. This will allow you to be dry even if you fall into the water, but also a gust effect of the dry suit with a gain in mobility. So the investment of the drysuit for winter can be used for mid-season or rainy weather.

The second option is to go with a full-body suit (less thick) or a long John to keep maximum mobility on the upper body and not to spend too much energy. The gust of wind will allow the upper part to be sheltered from the wine.

Finally for the bravest, (or if you are in a warmer region, opt for the shorty. Ideal for summer or mid-season if the water is relatively warm. This provides good thermal insulation on the body and maximum freedom of movement on the arms.

At this time of year, if you want to feel the board more precisely, you can do away with the liners, as a general rule, it is quite possible to do so. As on your paddle you have a net to attach accessories, you can take them with you if you need them.

2. Tips

Don’t forget to stay hydrated, it’s very important when you’re doing a long effort. In a waterproof bag hung on the net, put some water and food in it and treat yourself to a little pose in the middle of the ocean, far from everything and contemplating this beautiful nature.

For some, it’s the recovery , so choose a gentle recovery by increasing the distances as you go. This will allow your body to adapt to a more substantial effort during the sessions.

Spring is a great season, nature is waking up, take advantage of it to walk around and discover new routes.

For some, it’s the recovery , so choose a gentle recovery by increasing the distances as you go. This will allow your body to adapt to a more substantial effort during the sessions.

Spring is a great season, nature is waking up, take advantage of it to walk around and discover new routes.

A summary of what to wear in mid-season

Paddling in mid-season means finding yourself in the heart of nature in transition. The trees are budding, the birds are singing, and the waters are calm. You glide silently over the mirror of a lake or the course of a river, connected to the ecosystem that awakens around you. It is a communion with the earth and water, a moment of meditation in the open air. Neither too hot nor too cold, mid-season offers ideal conditions for paddle boarding. You can wear a lighter wetsuit and enjoy the sun without sweating excessively. The sun’s rays caress your skin and the light breeze cools you down. It’s a perfect balance between comfort and adventure. In addition, in mid-season, beaches and bodies of water are less crowded. You have the space to yourself, away from the summer hustle and bustle.

Put on your wetsuit, grab your paddle and set off to discover these precious moments in the heart of nature.

How to Dress for Paddle in Summer

The summer season is a magical time to practice paddle boarding. If you get too hot on the sand, grab your paddle board and go for a splash away from the crowds. Go on an adventure with your paddle board for the day, water, a picnic and enjoy a day in the middle of nature with your family.

Choice of outfit for paddle boarding in summer.

Depending on where you’re on holiday. Maybe you’ll need a shorty wetsuit. Otherwise it’s very simple, a buoyancy vest if you need it, an anti-UV top and boardshorts.

Of course, if you are on the tip of Brittany with a cool breeze even in summer, the shorty or the windbreaker or even a light integral can serve you. In case you fall into the water, the wetsuit will be used

In summer, the sun is higher in the sky so the reverberation is greater. A pair of sunglasses and sunscreen will protect you from UV rays

If it’s really hot, opt for a hat or cap to keep your head in the shade and avoid sunstroke.

Conclusion.

In the summer, beaches and bodies of water are often crowded. Paddle boarding allows you to get away from the crowds and find peaceful corners. Paddling early in the morning or at the end of the day gives you absolute tranquility. You can explore hidden coves, secluded lakes, and calm rivers away from the summer hustle and bustle. At this time of year, water is your ally to refresh yourself. Dip your paddle into the cool water and let the droplets splash around you. The sea breeze caresses you as you glide across the surface of the water. It’s a natural way to stay cool while exercising.

It’s a sensory experience that allows you to start or end the day well. Put on your swimsuit and jump on your paddle.