First accessories

So the board is selected and purchased - what next?

I have some accessories from my existing board, but even those I want to get specifically for the new board as there are differences and upgrades I want to make. I would like to be able to loan the iSUP to someone to paddle with me sometimes, so I need a full set for each.

First was the paddle. The iSUP paddle is very heavy; I wanted a much lighter paddle. At first I was going to settle for a "mid weight" fiberglass paddle to save money, but then I saw a local CL ad for carbon paddles for only $60. It turned out to be a local businessman who had imported a number of SUPs and gear a couple of years back for a venture that didn't work out long term. He had some brand new, in the factory wrap, 2 piece carbon paddles (with the bottom piece almost full length so the flex is in a single shaft) weighing about a pound each that he was liquidating. I bought one.

Having just received a brand new board with no nicks or flaws, I decided it was worth it to put on rail tape right away. That should keep the rails from getting "paddle rash", dings from putting it up on the rack and setting it down on something or dropping it while carrying it. Those kinds of accidents are far more likely to ding the rails than things you hit on the water. I got the extra long Rail Saver Pro tape.

I got another leash; a straight one. My existing leash is coiled. It's recommended you take both a coiled and straight leash. A straight leas can be useful as a tow rope if someone gets injured and can't paddle as well as an extra leash if the coiled leash were to fail.

A belt inflatable life jacket. this is part convenience, part purposeful duplication and part safety. There are situations where you may need to purposefully go under, duck diving waves or whatever. It allows you to be wearing a life jacket without affecting paddling also.

A paddle leash. I will carry a spare paddle, but I really don't want to lose my paddle if I am offshore. It can happen a lot easier touring and/or fishing as you set the paddle down a lot.

A clip on waterproof compass. If bad weather comes in quickly, you can lose sight of where you need to go, so it's a good idea to be sure you are headed toward land and hopefully close to your put in or take out.

A safety light in case I get caught out after dark. Inland, I may be out on the water in the dark on purpose sometimes.

A waterproof Bluetooth spear/mic so I can make and receive calls with my phone packed away.

Light tint UV protection bifocal sunglasses that can easily be "corded" to avoid loss. I can't read without correction, so these are a safety item. I can make out the N blob on the compass and the compass has a magnifier that I can use ti read anything besides the compass.

Some items for touring and fishing will be added in a future post.

A few things I would like to have but won't have right away...

A lock that fits in the fin box or hooks to the leash and a cable. It provides protection for stops along the road or whatever. A determined thief could cut the lock or cable with time and the right tools, but the vast majority of board theft is done by quick grab.

A flexible fin for paddling in areas where it get get shallow with a hard bottom. I ordered a cheap hard plastic 4.5" fin on eBay, but I would really like to get the 8" flexible fin.

A board cover to protect from road debris.