Planning a paddleboarding adventure? Discover key safety tips, hazards to watch for, and where to build SUP skills and confidence before you launch.

How to Stay Safe on a SUP Journey

Planning a stand-up paddleboarding journey? Whether you're paddling down a calm canal or crossing an open estuary, safety should be your number one companion. Because once you're out there — just you, your board, and the water — you're your own support crew.

This isn’t a rules-and-regs post. It’s a heads-up: the big considerations to factor in before you launch, and where you can build the confidence and skills to enjoy it all safely. From weather and water conditions to navigation, gear, and good judgment — it all plays a part.

We’ve pulled together the key themes that come up time and again, whether you’re on a day trip or overnight paddleboarding adventure.

Questions we’ll cover:

• How does weather affect SUP journeys?
• What’s the impact of wind, tides, and currents?
• Why recceing routes matters (entry, exit, bailouts)
• What hazards should I look out for?
• How do you portage your SUP?
• Food, hydration and fuelling up
• What should I wear for layering and safety?
• What are the principles behind the CLAP risk assessment model?
• How do you navigate on a SUP journey?
• First aid, seasickness and looking after each other
• What safety equipment should I carry?
• How to deal with the unexpected
• Where can I get training and build confidence?
• 5 luxury essentials that make a journey memorable

In a rush? Here’s the gist:

• Plan like a pro: forecast, tides, recce the route, and have a Plan B
• Stay warm, fed, hydrated and layered up
• Know your hazards and how to get help
• Don’t wing it — build up your skills with proper training
• Good gear helps: from drybags to first aid to comfy camp slippers

How does weather affect SUP journeys?

Weather changes everything. Wind direction, strength, rain, visibility, even air temperature – they all have a huge impact on your speed, comfort, and safety. Headwinds slow you down. Strong offshore breezes can sweep you out. A dropping temperature combined with a dunking? That’s a recipe for hypothermia if you’re not dressed right.

Check multiple weather sources before heading out. Apps like Windy, XCWeather, Met Office or MagicSeaweed give useful wind and swell info, but local knowledge is gold — chat to local paddlers or instructors for context.

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What’s the impact of wind, tides, and currents?

Flat water isn’t always friendly. Even slow-moving rivers and sheltered bays can carry strong flows or complex tidal movements. Tides don’t just go in and out — they wrap around headlands, surge through narrow channels, and leave you stuck in mud if you mistime your exit. Wind can also funnel along valleys or estuaries, creating awkward crosswinds or surprise gusts.

Understand the hydrology of where you’re going. Take a tidal planning course if you're venturing into estuaries or open water. And learn how to use a map and compass to factor this into your plan.

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Why recceing routes matters (entry, exit, bailouts)

A good recce can make or break your day. Write a passage plan. Entry points should be safe and accessible in changing water levels. Exit points need to be reachable if you're tired, behind schedule, or caught in a squall. Always have alternative options — Plan B or C — and mark potential portage or get-out points on your map.

Apps like OS Maps or RiverApp can be handy, but a physical map and pre-trip notes are still worth their weight in drybags.

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What hazards should I look out for?

Hazards aren’t always obvious. Weirs, strainers (like low-hanging trees), submerged rocks, or even curious swans can catch you out. Urban rivers may have hidden metalwork, broken glass, or pollution. And in remote places, the hazard is often isolation — help might be hours away.

Develop the habit to stop, look, think before entering any new flow. Learn to read the water — spot eddies, notice how it moves around obstacles, and never assume it’s the same from bank to bank.

A White Water Safety & Rescue course from a provider like British Canoeing is a solid investment.

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How do you portage your SUP?

Portaging — carrying your board past obstacles or out of difficult water — is part of the journey. On canal trips, you’ll often portage around locks. On rivers, it might be around weirs, or just a muddy get-out when the flow gets sketchy. Drybags with comfortable carry handles, and a lightweight SUP, really help here.

Some paddlers use trolley systems for long hauls. Others prefer to shoulder their board — the Alpkit Delta and Longshore are both under 11kg, which helps when you're knackered.

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Food, hydration and fuelling up

Calories in = energy out. On longer paddles, you’ll be burning through fuel faster than you think, especially in cold conditions. Pack high-energy snacks and keep a water bottle easily accessible — not buried under layers of drybags.

A lightweight stove or thermos of soup can boost morale. Lemon and ginger tea is a personal favourite. And don’t forget a water purification option if you’ll need to refill en route.

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What should I wear for layering and safety?

Layering matters on water. You need to be warm when paddling, but also survive an unexpected swim. Avoid cotton — it stays wet and cold. Go for synthetic or merino base layers, breathable midlayers, and a waterproof outer. A change of clothes in a drybag is essential.

If you’re coastal, wind chill can bite. If you're inland, even summer rivers can be cold. Drysuits, wetsuits, or hybrid combinations might be worth considering depending on the trip.

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What are the principles behind the CLAP risk model?

CLAP is a simple risk management model used in paddlesports - it is one of the best leadership models - and relevant beyond paddling. Period.:

• Communication — Agree signals, check-ins and radios if needed
• Line of sight — Stay visual if possible, especially in a group
• Avoidance — It’s better to avoid risk than try to rescue it
• Position of maximum usefulness — The leader or most confident paddler should be best placed to help others

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How do you navigate on a SUP journey?

GPS is great, but don’t rely solely on it. Understanding OS maps, river grades, and tide tables is key to safe journey planning. Plan your route with timings, distances, rest stops and get-out points. And know when you’re making slower progress than planned — time often slips away on water.

Navigation skills can be built with a course or just a map and a friend who knows their stuff. And don’t forget a waterproof map case!

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First aid, seasickness and looking after each other

Carry a basic first aid kit and know how to use it. Blisters, sunburn, stings, minor cuts and cold shock are all common. If you’re on tidal water, motion sickness tablets might be worth bringing.

On multi-day trips, knowing how to keep warm, treat hypothermia, and support a tired or injured paddler is essential. Good training helps here — check out outdoor-specific first aid courses.

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What safety equipment should I carry?

This depends on the trip, but a solid base kit often includes:

• Buoyancy aid (PFD)
• Leash — coiled for flat water, quick-release for moving water
• Spare leash — in case of failure or damage mid-trip
• Phone or VHF radio in a fully waterproof, submersible case
• Map and compass (or GPS — but don’t rely solely on it)
• Whistle, headtorch, reflective items or signalling mirror
• Redundant flotation — e.g. inflatable drybag or throw device

A drybag with a visible panel or bright colours helps for both safety and organisation. And sealing your emergency ID or personal details in a second small drybag? Not a bad shout.

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How to deal with the unexpected

Stuff happens. Kit breaks, plans change, and sometimes you just get unlucky. The best paddlers are flexible, calm, and prepared to turn back when things don’t feel right.

One simple thing that helps? A quick pre-launch routine:

• Agree an emergency routine with your buddy
• Check your PFD is snug and zipped
• Attach the right leash for the water — and carry a spare
• Seal your phone and ID in waterproof bags
• Check your signalling gear is accessible
• Run through your route, timings and Plan B with your buddy

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Where can I get training and build confidence?

Find your nearest BSUPA (British Stand Up Paddle Association) Sup School There’s loads of great training out there. Look for:

• British Canoeing courses like Paddle Explore or SUP Safer
• Outdoor centres for whitewater or coastal skills
• First aid courses tailored for paddlers
• Navigation skills through Mountain Training or local clubs

Nothing beats getting out there with people who know their stuff. Confidence builds quickly when you do it together.

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5 luxury essentials that make a journey memorable

• A proper coffee setup — Kraku + Mymokka + Mytimug = riverbank espresso
• Refugio Camp slippers and clean FKT underwear — dry feet after a long day is bliss
• Comfy sleeping setup — like the Cloud Base mat, Drift pillow and PipeDream bag
• Notebook or waterproof journal for trip notes
• A lightweight hammock or camp chair

Little comforts make a big difference after a big day on the water.

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In summary

Paddleboarding journeys can be magical — wild, peaceful, energising. But they also carry risk. By thinking ahead, learning the skills, and carrying the right kit, you’ll not only stay safe, you’ll have more fun.

If you're just getting started or looking to take things further, check out our range of SUP boards and accessories built for journeys big and small.