33 Best Gifts for Paddleboarders to Adventure With
Are you looking for the best gifts for paddleboarders? From paddle boarding accessories to SUP books and everything in between, these gifts are sure to put a smile on any paddleboarder’s face.
Paddleboarding, also known as stand up paddleboarding or SUP, is quickly becoming one of the world’s most popular water sports. After all, you can do it just about anywhere with a (relatively calm) body of water. Oceans, lakes, and rivers are just the start.
And with the growing number of paddleboarders comes a growing need for gifts for paddleboarders. Luckily, I’ve got your back with loads of paddleboarding gift ideas to choose from.
The Basics of Paddle Boarding Gifts
There are a few things that you pretty much have to have if you’re going paddle boarding. And luckily for you, they make fantastic gifts!
Solid Paddle Board
The most obvious gift to get any paddleboarder is a new solid paddle board! While your paddleboarding friend likely already has a board, it might be very worn out. This is your opportunity to buy your friend a new one! After all, you’ll know for a fact that they’ll put it to good use.
iRocker is widely known as one of the best paddleboarding brands around. As for which model to get, you can’t go wrong with the Blackfin Hard Board – Model SX.
Inflatable Paddle Board
While solid paddle boards are popular, inflatable paddle boards are becoming more common too. After all, since they need to be pumped up to full size, they’re much easier to transport and store than a solid SUP board.
iRocker also has its fair share of inflatable paddleboards with a wide variety of options based on your height, weight, and experience level. Beginners can try the Nautical Model, while intermediate to advanced paddleboards will probably like the Blackfin CX Model the best.
Paddle
Other than the board, the other piece of essential paddle boarding equipment is, well, an SUP paddle. All you really have to do is choose the design and color that you like best.
Reef Safe Sunscreen
If you’re paddleboarding, you’re outside, enjoying the sunshine. And while the Vitamin D is great, it’s important to protect your skin from UV rays too.
I highly recommend using reef safe sunscreen, as it allows you to protect yourself, the reef, and marine life all at the same time. My favorite reef safe sunscreen brand is Little Hands Hawaii (also on Amazon).
Use the code BORDERS15 on the Little Hands Hawaii website to get 15% off your order!
After Sun Salve
While protecting your skin from the sun is one part of it, it’s also important to take care of your sun after sun exposure. That’s what after sun salve is for! And if you combine reef safe and after sun salve together, that’s a fantastic gift for paddleboarders!
Use the code BORDERS15 on the Little Hands Hawaii website to get 15% off your order!
Sunglasses
Since you protect your skin with reef safe sunscreen and sun salve, you definitely want to do something to protect your eyes. Luckily, all you need is a solid pair of sunglasses, like ones from Solstice Sunglasses.
Swimwear
While it’s possible to stay dry while paddle boarding, there’s still a good chance that you’ll get wet. Maybe it’ll just be from getting in and out of the water, or maybe you’ll fall in. Regardless, most people opt to wear swimwear on their paddle boarding adventures, making it a fantastic paddle boarding gift idea.
I’m sure you have a go-to swimwear brand, like American Eagle, Roxy, or Quiksilver, which are all great options. But I’d also like to bring Sundaze Bikinis and Outerknown to your attention. Both of these swimwear brands make their products out of recycled plastic. So not only do you get to enjoy the water, but you get to help clean it too!
Use the code BORDERS15 on the Sundaze Bikinis website to get 15% off your order!
Rash Guard
Rash guards have a lot of pros. First, they’re just a great, comfy form of swimwear, especially for active sports on the water. Second, they further help to protect your skin from the sun. It’s two benefits in one! In other words, a rash guard is definitely a great paddleboarding gift. There are short sleeve, long sleeve, and sleeveless rash guard options.
Beach Towel
If you do end up getting wet on your paddle boarding adventure, you’ll need a beach towel to dry off. So what’s a better gift for a paddleboarder than a unique beach towel? One of my favorite beach towels is designed and produced by Hawaii-based artist, Nick Kuchar. But Amazon has some fun beach towel options too.
Dry Bags
Keep all your important things dry – including your phone, keys, wallet, and snacks – in a dry bag. It’s easy enough to use. Just plop all of your items into the bag and close it up tight!
Waterproof Phone Case
When you’re out paddling for hours, it’s nice to have your phone with you. Not just for pictures, but for emergencies too. The only downside is that phones aren’t really waterproof. So get your paddle boarding friend a waterproof phone case!
Paddle Boarding Accessories
Some of the best gifts for paddleboarders are paddle boarding accessories. These fun little additions can make a paddling adventure even more exciting.
SUP Leash
If you’re worried your pricey paddleboard will float away from you, invest in a SUP leash. This comfy, affordable accessory will quickly put your mind at ease.
Electric Pump
Since inflatable stand up paddle boards are becoming more and more popular, an electric pump is a necessary paddle boarding accessory. After all, it would take a whole lot of effort to pump up a paddleboard by hand.
Portable Battery
While certain electric pumps allow you to power them via your car’s cigarette lighter, that’s not always the case (and not all cars have cigarette lighters). So this portable battery for the electric pump will definitely come in handy.
Kayak Seat
If you’re a fan of paddleboarding, there’s a pretty good chance that you’re also a fan of other watersports. That’s why a kayak seat is another fantastic gift for paddleboarders.
Instead of having to find space to store both a kayak and a paddleboard, you can simply slip this kayak seat onto your paddleboard and voila! You’ve got yourself a kayak (or a kayak-esque paddleboard).
SUP Cooler
I don’t know about you, but I always need a snack whenever I’m doing anything active, whether that’s hiking, kayaking, or paddleboarding. And while I usually just pack my mini High Sierra backpack with food, you can always take your snacking game to the next level with this SUP cooler. Then, you can take all sorts of treats with you, even if they need to be kept cool.
Hydroflask
When doing any physical activity – including stand up paddle boarding – it’s important to stay hydrated. A hydroflask can help you do that, making it another great gift for paddleboarders.
Attachable Waterproof Speaker
Sometimes, the sound of the water lapping against the shore or against your board is all you need. Other times, you may want a little bit of music on your paddleboarding adventure. That’s when an attachable waterproof speaker comes in handy.
Paddle Boarding Decal
I won’t lie. Many of the best gifts for paddleboarders can be pricey. But if you’re looking for an affordable gift for paddleboarders, consider a paddleboarding decal! This beautiful decal showcasing a paddleboarder surrounded by nature is absolutely stunning and very thoughtful. All you have to do is put it on your board, and it’ll be there with you on every paddleboarding adventure.
Entertainment Gifts for Paddleboarders
When you’re out on the water, sometimes it’s great to just listen to the calm of nature. But other times, you find yourself wanting a little entertainment. Here are a couple of entertainment gifts for paddleboarders for you to consider.
Spotify Premium Subscription
We’ve already mentioned the attachable waterproof speaker, but what will you play on it? That’s where a Spotify Premium subscription comes in! Then, you can listen to all of the music, podcasts, and audiobooks you could ever dream of.
GoPro
It’s always a risk to take a non-waterproof camera on a paddleboarding adventure. After all, even the most skilled paddleboarders fall off and get splashed sometimes. That’s why a GoPro HERO9 is one of the best gifts for paddleboarders. Plus, if you want to take some underwater photos on your paddleboarding adventure, the pictures on the GoPro HERO9 are unbelievably clear!
Paddleboarding Books
I don’t know about you, but I love reading books about my hobbies. (If I’m being honest, I like reading books in general.) Maybe your paddleboard-loving friends or family members love to do so too, so why not buy them a paddle boarding book or two?
How to Increase Your Stand Up Paddling Performance by Suzie Cooney
Many of the most popular paddleboarding books, including How to Increase Your Stand Up Paddling Performance by Suzie Cooney (Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop), are all about learning how to paddleboard. In this particular book, you’ll learn all about the best paddleboarding techniques, so you can become an expert!
How to SUP with Your Pup by Maria Christina Schultz
As the description for How to SUP with Your Pup (Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop) states, “learning how to stand up paddle (SUP) is one thing, and learning with a dog is little more involved.” This book teaches you everything you need to know about stand up paddle boarding with your furry best friend.
See Me by Nicholas Sparks
Not all of books about paddleboarding are instructional books. There are a few fiction books that feature paddleboarding, like See Me by Nicholas Sparks (Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop). This romance book is a great stand up paddle boarding gift for her.
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Malibu Rising (Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop) isn’t specifically about stand-up paddle boarding. But it is set in Malibu, California, the ultimate beach town. This captivating New York Times bestseller is packed with twists and turns.
The World Is Blue by Sylvia A. Earle
The World Is Blue (Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop) is a must-buy for ocean conservationists and paddle boarders alike. Written by a National Geographic explorer, this book showcases the connection between humans and the ocean.
Paddle Boarding Gifts for Home
Many paddleboarders aren’t ready to leave the watersport behind, even after hours on the water. That’s why some of the best SUP gifts are paddle boarding gifts for home!
A Decorative Upcycled Paddleboard
One of the coolest gifts for paddleboarders – by far – is a decorative upcycled board by Last Wave Co. This Hawaii-based artist takes old boards (primarily surfboards, but I’m sure she’d be open to paddleboards too) and covers them with the most beautiful island-inspired art. From turtles to hibiscuses to waves, the art is absolutely incredible.
Simply put, the boards from Last Wave Co. are the perfect way to keep an old beloved paddleboard in your home.
Paddleboarding Vintage Poster
Another great paddleboarding wall art gift is a vintage poster. Every time you look at it, it’ll remind you of your favorite hobby and put a smile on your face.
Paddleboarding Stickers
Paddleboarding stickers are just a fun addition. Slap them onto laptops, water bottles, phone cases, and more. Every time you see them, they’ll put a smile on your face. This “Sorry I can’t. I have a board meeting” sticker, this sunset paddleboard sticker, and this SUP pup paddleboard sticker are all fantastic options on Etsy.
Beach Candle
While not everyone paddles at the beach (as you can also paddle board in lakes and rivers), many people do. So if you want to bring the smell of the beach (and paddleboarding) home, consider purchasing a beach candle as a SUP Christmas gift.
I’ll be the first to admit that it’s surprisingly hard to find a candle that actually smells like the ocean. Usually, the candles just smell like sunscreen. That said, there are a couple of candles that have gotten close to the real thing. Take a peek at the Sea Mist Candle from St. Eval or the Great Barrier Reef Candle from Homesick.
Ocean, River, and Lake Charity Donations
For most paddleboarders, taking care of the world’s waterways is important. After all, if these waterways aren’t clean, then nature loses a little bit of its beauty and paddleboarding loses some of its appeal.
To help preserve the waterways around the world, one of the best gifts for paddleboarders is a charity donation. There are hundreds – if not thousands – of charities around the world focused on taking care of beaches, oceans, rivers, and lakes. If you have the option, try to find a local charity to donate to.
If you can’t find a local water-focused charity that you like, don’t worry! Take a peek at the charities listed below.
The Ocean Cleanup Donation
If you’d like your donation to focus on removing ocean plastic in particular, you won’t regret donating to The Ocean Cleanup. Basically, The Ocean Cleanup utilizes carbon-neutral boats to suck up the trash from the rivers that flow into the ocean. Pretty cool, right?
Ocean Conservancy Donation
Another great option is the Ocean Conservancy. This internationally renowned conservation charity works on just about every aspect of ocean conservation. Plastic removal, sustainable fishing, and wildlife care are all just the start.
American Rivers
While there’s a lot of love for beaches and oceans, there aren’t a ton of charities geared specifically to freshwater ways. But American Rivers is one of the few. By donating to this incredible charity, you’ll support their work to remove plastic from rivers, restore damaged waterways, and protect healthy ones.
And there you have it! The best gifts for paddleboarders. I hope you found the perfect gift or two for the paddleboarder in your life. And if you didn’t check out my list of the best beach gifts for beach lovers for a few more outdoorsy gift ideas.
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