Holiday Gifts with the Paddle Boarder in Mind
By Chris Anders, Contributing Writer
The holidays are here, and I have some gift ideas for the paddle boarding enthusiast. Let’s start with the stocking stuffers. Everyone needs a leash. Make sure that the leash matches the color of their board and it should also be a coil leash. Long leashes drag in the water and are a pain in the butt. Leashes run from around $25 to $40 depending on the brand. Some other items that are a little bit more in price are fins, hydration packs, and a PFD by Restube. Check out FCS & Future Fins. They have a large variety to choose from. The Dakine Waterman Hydration Pack is one of the most popular hydration packs on the market and run around $60.
If you have someone on your list that likes to do long tour paddles, then I would suggest a soft cooler by Seattle Sports; either the 25 Qt. or 19 Qt. which runs between $40 to $50 and they come with suction cups. I know everyone thinks Yeti but most of the time you only need a cooler for the day not a week and the cost of a Yeti is around $250.
Every casual paddler likes to have some tunes while out cruising on their board so why not get them a Bluetooth waterproof speaker. Check out Speaqua Speakers. They have a wide variety to choose from and I have used them for many years now and have never had a problem with them and I paddle in saltwater. The speakers run between $40 to $90 on Amazon.
Moving up in price, you should look at a good carbon fiber paddle. If you have multiple people sharing one paddle make sure you get an adjustable paddle, so that one paddle fits all. However, if you are buying a paddle for one person and no one else will be using it, I would prefer non-adjustable and have it cut to their size. There are a lot of paddles out there, Quickblade & Werner both provide a wide variety and are popular in the racing scene. I also like Sawyer paddles. They have been around since 1967 and they have a signature wooden finish on the paddle and the T-grip which really looks amazing. Look to spend between $250 to $400 for a good paddle. It’s worth it.
Finally, the most expensive gift for a paddle boarder, the board. This is something that is a personal choice and something that the person riding should pick out themselves. So, for this just put about $1,200 to $2,900 in an envelope and take them board shopping. Happy Holidays and be safe on the water.
Chris Anders, CEO
Palm Beach Boat Club and Paddleboard Shop
561.840.1901 • www.thepalmbeachboatclub.com