It’s March 1st, which means our paddle boarding tours are officially launched! We’ve been lucky to have had a warmer winter, which means the waters won’t be bitterly cold. If you haven’t already, book your paddle boarding tour, as they will fill up fast! After you book your tour, you may be left with the lingering question of what exactly do I need to bring with me? Below are our recommendations of things to pack for your paddle boarding tour.

Bathing Suit

Although this appears quite obvious, sometimes the most obvious things are often forgotten about. For guys, a good pair of board shorts should be fine. Women should opt for a comfortable bathing suit. Your bathing suit should be something you can comfortably sit down in, stand up in, and easily move your arounds around in. If you think it’s going to be uncomfortable to wear for a long period of time, don’t wear it and opt for your more comfortable swimwear.

Towel

Again, this is quite obvious, but you would be surprised how often this is forgotten about! Especially, as it is still cooler outside, you will want a towel to dry off with and keep you warm. The summer is no exception either! No one wants to drip dry their way back to their car. Always remember a towel!

Sunscreen

We can’t stress enough the importance of sunscreen. The sun can be brutal, especially in the middle of the day. A sunburn can not only ruin your day, but it can also ruin your vacation. Don’t be the lobster stuck inside watching television for the rest of your vacation while your friends and family are out enjoying the beach! We recommend a waterproof sunscreen with zinc, SPF 50+. Bring it with you and re-apply every hour to two hours, especially if you plan on hitting the beach after your paddle boarding tour.

Water

It is important to stay hydrated, especially on days with temperatures above 90 degrees. Charleston in the summer gets hot, there is no way to sugar coat it. Dehydration can happen, and happen very fast if you are not careful. Paddle boarding, although it is not a super high intensity workout, is still a vigorous workout requiring you to hydrate. We recommend bringing a Nalgene bottle or stainless steel bottle that is able to be refilled. Avoid plastic disposable bottles!

Hat

If you want to protect your head, face, and scalp from sunburn, we recommend you bring a hat. Although not required, it can definitely protect those sensitive areas. Scalp burns are the worst! Men and women alike are both susceptible to burning their scalps, so a hat can definitely be beneficial.

Snack

Feel free to bring a snack, like fruit, protein bars, or anything that you may want to enjoy after your paddle boarding tour. Paddle boarding can work up quite an appetite, so bring something light enough not to weigh you down if you plan to venture out to the beach or somewhere else after your tour.

Water Shoes

If you have water shoes, you should bring them. These will make paddling a lot easier. They should be something that you can wear both in the water and out of the water. The shoes should be able to stay on your feet, so we caution against flip flops. You can go barefoot, but your feet may be touching the ground in the water where there may be rocks and oyster shells.

Positive Attitude

Don’t forget to bring a positive attitude! You don’t have to be an experienced paddle boarder to enjoy paddle boarding. Don’t get frustrated if it is a little harder than you anticipated. Our instructors are there to help at all points of the way! Bring a positive attitude and enjoy the relaxing time on the water. After all, it’s all about relaxation and fun!