Paddleboarding is an excellent way to explore and enjoy the great outdoors. But, before you can start SUPing, you’ll need to figure out how to carry your paddleboard.
Carrying your SUP can be pretty challenging, regardless of whether it is a solid board or an inflatable.
Thus, to make the process easier for you, we will go over the efficient methods of carrying a SUP board.
Carrying A Paddle Board On Your Head
Carrying a SUP board on your head is the traditional, efficient method of getting it in and out of the water.
This method is simple but effective. Plus, you won’t need any extra accessories when using it.
To simplify the process, let’s take a look at it,
- Flip your paddleboard, so the fins point upwards.
- Squat near the tail-end of the board.
- Grip the sides of the tail with both hands and slowly lift it.
- Focus on using the leg muscles for power rather than the back.
- After lifting the tail-end higher than your height, start to walk underneath the SUP.
- Stop after you reach the central carry handle.
- Afterward, place your hands on the side rails and hold them securely.
- Slightly bend down on your knees and place the deck on your head.
- Slowly stand up while balancing the board.
- You can then start to adjust the board better on your head to avoid falling or getting in the way of others.
There is another very similar method of carrying your SUP board on your shoulder. However, in a shoulder carry, the board will block your vision on one side, catch more wind and be harder to balance.
In order to find a board that you can carry over your head check out our list of the best inflatable paddle boards.
Carry Your SUP Board Using The Carry Handles
The majority of modern SUPs have a central carry handle. Moreover, you may even find multiple carrying handles on some boards.
With these carrying handles, transporting your paddleboard will be simple and quick.
We may view the steps,
- Squat near the center of your SUP board where the carry handle is located.
- Grip the handle with your dominant hand.
- Place your other hand on the board rail near you and lift it to a vertical position.
- Hold securely with both hands and stand up.
- Ensure that your dominant hand is not too bent, and place the upper rail against your torso to reduce the burden.
- You are now ready to start walking. Keep an eye out for gusts of wind. If there is a strong wind, try to hold your board on the downwind side.
Aside from these, to use the carry handles for transporting your board, you may want to place the fins parallel to your torso and facing inward. This way, there will be little risk of hitting others and obstacles.
Make Use Of Shoulder Straps To Carry Your SUP
Carry straps are a great option if you have a longer walk to the water. Some SUP packages come with their carry strap, but you can also buy them separately.
To carry your paddleboard using a shoulder strap can be pretty easy or complex, depending on your board and strap design.
However, we may take a look at the popular way to use the SUP carrying strap,
- If you have the basic board carrying strap, you will need to wrap it around the SUP and secure it with buckles.
- On the other hand, with a modern shoulder strap and SUP, you will be able to attach clasps to the D-rings quickly.
- After your board is fully attached, you can place the padded portion of the strap on your shoulder.
- Moreover, you can place the strap on a cross-shoulder carry. This way, more of your body muscles will work together to support the weight.
- No matter what style of carrier you use, be sure to place one hand on the board to keep it steady and in place.
This method requires a quality shoulder carry strap to ensure it can hold the board’s weight. Also, try to get a SUP carrier that has sufficient adjustable length. This extra length will make the accessories very versatile.
Using Paddleboard Cart For Transporting Heavier SUP
If you own a solid, epoxy SUP or a massive iSUP, carrying it around can be pretty challenging.
Fortunately for us, paddleboarding has evolved to where we have gotten carts to carry these SUP boards.
Let’s see how it works,
- Depending on how many boards you want to transport, you can choose either a single or double cart.
- After you have your wheels ready, place the SUP boards in their designated place on the cart.
- Ensure that the boards are properly balanced.
- Secure the boards with straps or cordage so that they won’t get loose.
- You can also use the safety leash in place of straps. This way, the leash won’t drag through the sand or mud.
- Wrap clothes or foam on the bars of the cart to further protect your board.
Extended paddleboarding trips can be pretty tiring. Therefore, having a SUP cart to rely on can be reassuring. However, you will still need to maintain the cart well if you want an excellent performance.
A Few Tips & Tricks To Carry A Paddle Board
Some simple adjustments to your carrying techniques can make transporting your SUP boards much more efficient and safer.
For instance, you can check the board’s weight before deciding on a method of carrying it.
With relatively lightweight SUPs, you can use the carry handles. If you want more stability and control, there is also the option of carrying it on your head.
If the SUP board is of average weight, you will find it easier to carry it with a shoulder strap.
However, if your SUP is heavyweight or you want to carry multiple boards simultaneously, you may want to get a SUP cart.
Besides these methods, if you own an iSUP, you can always just pack it up in a SUP backpack. It would be even better if you can get a paddleboard carrying bag with wheels.
Bottom Line For How To Carry A Paddle Board
There are several ways to carry your paddleboard, and you may find that one method is better than others for different situations.
Nevertheless, while carrying a SUP board, it’s paramount that the method is stable and comfortable for you!
Plus, it’ll make sure that you won’t hurt yourself or damage the board.
After you decide which method is right for you, it’s time to do some paddleboarding!
