8 Tips for Hot Weather Paddleboarding

Stand up paddleboarding season is almost here! You have probably landed here in the search for helpful tips you can use to take your paddleboarding experience to the next level. Enjoying this leisure time activity, especially during the hot summer months, involves more than you would have expected. You have to consider many factors to help ensure the best results. Fortunately, this guide provides helpful tips to get you started:

1. Get the Right Gear

The right gear is crucial for your paddleboarding experience. You need various types of equipment for paddleboarding, including hats, sunglasses, cellphone, a swimsuit and such. The more prepared you are, the less you have to worry.

You might also need a suitable bag for storing all your gear once you made a list of things you will bring. Staying organized will ensure your hot weather paddleboarding experiences always go smoothly. Before investing in the specific you need for paddleboarding, do some research.

A few helpful tips for investing in the right gear for paddleboarding include: Resources such as a leash, whistle, and safety jacket can also be crucial for your experience in the water.

2. Invest in Good Sunscreen

The weather has changed significantly over the past few years. You have to be aware of its effect on your body. During the hot summer months, a good example would be in the increased sunlight intensity you should expect when paddleboarding.

While this shouldn't be a significant deterrent to your outdoor leisure time experience, it's necessary to be cautious. The use of sunscreen products can help safeguard your skin from the intense side effects of the sun. Researchers have even associated the fierce UV light issues with skin cancer and sunburns. However, sunscreen products help you avoid such problems with exceptional results.

There are various sunscreen product options out there you should consider. The type that works best depends on your preferences, budget, and dermatologist recommendations. Its good to be detailed in investing in sunscreen products because it can impact your appearance and health. Try to use sunscreen with stronger protection if you have lightly pigmented skin. Base on American Skin Association, a SPF15 sunscreen can protect an average person for 300 minutes, while only for 2.5 hours if you have lightly pigmented skin.

3. Learn About the Waters and Safety

Visit any famous beach, river, or lake, and you are likely to come across someone who is using a stand-up paddleboard. The sport has developed significantly over the past few years and is common among outdoor enthusiasts. However, recent reports show that the safety issues relating to the outdoor sport have also increased considerably.

Therefore, it's crucial for anyone who wants to paddleboard to research the waters and safety continually. The reason is that weather and water body patterns are prone to change. Plus, some paddleboarding are under restricted access, thanks to marine life such as sharks and whales. So, you have to be on the lookout for any unusual changes that might pose a safety threat to your experience.

4. Gain More Insight Into Paddleboarding

There is a lot to learn about paddleboarding, and it's good if you finally know more about the subject. You might want to learn about the techniques you can use to move efficiently through the water. Or, you can also opt to learn about the specific techniques you need to become a good paddleboarder.

The field of paddleboarding also evolves, like any other sport out there. The improvements can occur on resources such as life jackets, paddleboard designs, safety tips, and more. You can invest in technology resources such as water-resistant GPS trackers and compact flare guns for safety. The theory here is that paddleboarding changes, and it's good to get informational updates.

5. Carry A Clean Supply of Fresh Water or Beverages

During the hot months of the year, the weather causes the body to lose a lot of water. Dehydration can compromise your well-being, and you have to be careful. You might use a resource such as a cooler to help you with this process. The reason is that a cooler is usually a compact and portable resource which helps keep your drinks cold.

While most coolers are compact units, they work well for storing different types of beverages. You can use them for beverages such as sodas, fresh juices, and beer. However, you might also have to find a secure location to set the water cooler, especially if you plan on hitting the water for long durations.

Avoid carrying large amounts of alcoholic products because it doesn't blend well with swimming activities. Some paddleboarding locations even have various regulations regarding the presence of alcoholic products.

6. Know Your Limits

The hot weather might tempt you to try out new spots, surfing, or any other new venture you might experience in the water. Instead of experimenting because the water looks fun and exciting, know your limits ahead of time. Map out the place you will be paddleboarding, and look at the activities other people engage in the area.

You also have to determine your tolerance to hot weather, salt sea waters, the sun, and other vital aspects. Doing this helps ensure you are ready to have a good time when exploring the depths of the waters. Remember that limits vary based on factors such as location, and your physical health.

7. Always Keep Your Board With You

While this final point seems somewhat obvious, it's one of the best solutions for when you want to go hot weather paddleboarding. You always have to keep your paddleboard with you, even by using a resource such as a leash. The reason is that boards are an excellent safety resource, aside from just complementing your experience in the water.

It even makes it easy for safety crews to find you should you ever experience issues such as unusual gusts of winds. The board you choose is also essential, as one with reflector marks or visible colors applies best for paddleboarding activities.

     8. Check Your Board Before You Head Out And Check The Recommended Pressure

Hot weather is not only risky for paddlers, it is also riskier for the inflatable paddle board itself, especially on days where the temperature suddenly goes from cold to hot in a short amount of time. The reason being the air inside the inflatable paddle board can expand when temperature rises. Many beginner paddlers make the mistake of either don't check the board the day before head out or leave their boards out in the sun for long time while out on land. 

The best thing to do is always inflate your board to recommend pressure the night before and leave it overnight to see if there is any leaks after the board have been left unused for a long time. Due to improper storage, leaks can occur overtime unfortunately. If the weather is getting really hot, it is actually ok to let some air out from the board, slightly lower than the recommended pressure, as the air will expand after the board is out for a long time. Also, when you are out and taking a break while paddling, always leave your board under the shade just as you would when it gets hot outside. 

As you have seen, there is more to paddleboarding than the average person might expect. You have to consider various factors in your journey to help ensure the best results. With the right resources and informed approach, your paddleboarding experience is a guarantee.