The stand up paddle board trips have been one of the most favorite activities in Hawaii because of its minimalist characteristic. However, just like any other sport, gear does matter. If you are serious about your upcoming trips, it is imperative to choose the equipment that is proper for you and your group. Perhaps it sounds so simple, but it is a bit challenging in real life. Here are the tips to ease the prep.
Make sure that everyone is honest about their weight so that the rental owners will know what kind of boards that work best for you and your group. You will want to look for the boards that are versatile and steady. Chances are you will have some beginners in your group. You will wish everyone gets the best board.
There are some favorite brands of SUP that you can consider like Surftech, Bic, and Tahoe SUP. Tahoe SUP is the most expensive brands amongst the three. That’s why you might need to spend more to rent these boards. However, you can be open to all brands as long as the boards are excellent in quality. The rental owner should be able to give you the best suggestions when choosing the boards for you and your group members.
The next thing is to choose the paddles. Paddles come cheaper than boards so that many users want to purchase their paddles. So, you can ask yourself and your group whether to get a carbon fiber paddle or non-carbon fiber paddle. Carbon fiber paddles are lightweight and stronger. But they are costly. Non-carbon fiber paddles, on the other side, are more massive, less reliable, but more affordable. Whatever the price range, make sure that everyone in your group has a decision. Of course, you could rent the paddles as well. Although not always, the rentals include the board with the paddles and leash. Moreover, you can also borrow the PFD.
Leashes can cost around $20-$50 to purchase. But if you rent a board, the rentals will include this in the package. So, you don’t have to buy if it is not demanding.
In the stand up paddle board trips, you might go with the rented vehicle. Not all cars are equipped with the roof rack. You will need to spend extra for renting the roof rack to store all the SUP boards. There you have them! By preparing all of these, you will surely have a fun and successful trip.