What to wear - Paddleboarding!

[Twynklebell]

Have just signed up for a paddleboarding session in June and literally no idea what to wear that a) will be practical and b) won't make me look completely like a large beached whale on a paddleboard.

Any suggestions - I don't want to spend mega bucks - I'm probably ok for t-shirts so its the bottom half thats the issue.

Generally sports clothing that dries quickly and isn’t heavy when wet!

Just relax and enjoy it. It’s great to do and easy to get hooked.

I’ve only ever fallen off when in the sea when it was breezy. Wondering where everyone who is saying “you’ll definitely fall in” is paddleboarding.

i’ve Never fallen off either and paddle board in the sea so am also wondering why everyone falls off so much! I wear a wet suit when it’s cooler and otherwise just a swimsuit and a tshirt plus lots of sunscreen. I leave all my belongings in the car, I do not need my mobile phone, hair dryer or anything else when on the water.

I've never fallen off, even as a beginner... you can kneel or even sit until you find your balance.
Decathon is your friend... kayak/water shoes, gym leggings or paddling leggings (like a wet suit). I wear a t short, or thin long sleeved top if its warm or a decathlon wet suit top if cold.. I prefer separates as you can get quite warm paddling.
Swimming costume underneath and a dry robe for afterwards just in case :)
A bouyancy aid is essential, but that will be provided if it's a paid for session :)

Have fun..it's a lovely way to spend a few hours! And addictive!

The problem with never falling in is it might give a false sense of security. Someone can tell you how to get back on your board, or you can watch someone get back on their board, but when it comes to the crunch not everyone finds it easy to self-rescue. Women tend to find it more difficult than men.

I've had two occasions where I've gone in the water unexpectedly, one was a deliberate push by a male paddle boarder who thought it would be funny, the other was a strong wake from a boat passing behind me.

I'm mainly on the sea so used to a bit of chop, I know when to get back on my knees, the times I have come close to falling it's usually other SUPs unexpectedly changing direction or not paying attention and I've been the one having to take immediate action.

Every few sessions I deliberately get in the water because I need to make sure I can still self-rescue.

Not necessarily, I still haven't fallen yet!

They will supply with wetsuits I would've thought, or very detailed guidance about what you should wear if it's your first time, if it's a session with an actual company that is.

Depends where you're launching from.
You don't need shoes for the sea if you're launching from a sandy beach.
Rober or reservoir then yes the cheap beach/ rock pooling neoprene shoes are fine.
I have a wetsuit but rarely wear it.
I wear a swimming costume with shorts style leg or leggings and a Lycra vest

hope you’re not too confused by what to wear OP!

the latest I’ve been out is November, on Windermere, and earliest on North Sea is March, you better believe I wore a wetsuit.
if you’re going down a static river in June then that’s completely different. I’d just ask your instructor what you should wear and what do they provide, no point wasting money buying stuff.

For those saying you've never fallen in - you won't have been on a decent course. Self rescue is an essential part.

OP, I paddle in board shorts and a bikini top most of the summer, t-shirt in the spring and wetsuit in the cold. As PP have said don't wear cheap trainers, they fall apart (esp if you're paddling in the sea!)

Have fun! We love SUP - in the summer we spend time on the water as a family at least three times a week - the easiest way to drag teens away from their screens!

The holiday makers near me come dolled up in their new shiny wetsuits and dry robe. Some crocs for the especially serious ones for before hand.
The locals near me are in bikinis or shorts/leggings and T-shirts.

Ha I always roll my eyes at the men in full wetsuits in the middle of summer who then put their dry robes on after , they must be boiling!
I prefer a towelling hoodie robe, dry robes not needed in summer ( if we get one!)

Maybe it depends on the stability of the boards too?
I've only ever paddleboarded in the Med, on Nielsen holidays. Lots of falling in, though tbf often caused by playing bumper cars with dd. getting back on is a heck of a lot easier than righting and getting back into a dinghy (not particularly fit small mid 50s at the time).

What would you do in an emergency such as riptide, weather change, medical?

You shouldn't be on a reservoir

Board size does make a difference to stability.

We have narrow ones in work which are unstable but fun for splashing about on.

I have a wider one at home which is better for touring. I still practice self-rescue every now and then. I always carry an emergency pack and a means of communication… i’m an outdoor instructor and in a mountain rescue team in the Lakes so it’s ingrained in me to be self sufficient and safe

"You shouldn't be on a reservoir'
My local reservoir has lots of organised water activities thank you.

You shouldn't be on a reservoir

Not on a random one, for sure. But the sailing and windsurfing club I used to belong to, on a reservoir, is now doing paddle boarding as well. So it's not a blanket ban.

Ladybower is a reservoir and allows SUP, just on weekends I think

It's one of those rare occasions where the wearing of a Dryrobe would be sartorially and practically appropriate.

Thanks Errol, our res is the same.

Is it a working one or old one?

I don’t fancy being on or in a working one, unless it’s very large and I’m very far away from the pumping station

Would be a dry suit for me.

I don’t fancy being on or in a working one, unless it’s very large and I’m very far away from the pumping station

Obviously stay away from the outfall (and in the case of ladybower the 'plughole' but most reservoirs don't have those. )
And comparing with the sea or some of the rivers I've seen paddle boarders on (weirs!!) the ones that are deemed ok for watersports are probably the safest places.

I wear leggings. I have a pair of swimming legging that I got from Lidl (same fabric as a swimming costume). As long it’s something that you can swim in if you fall off you can wear what you like. I hate wetsuits and never wear one paddle boarding.