Fall is one of my favorite seasons for stand up paddle boarding in the North East. The air is cooler, the sun is not so strong and the water is still warm. The beaches and harbors are not so crowded making for a calm and peaceful paddle. I find that although our area is not famous for the leafing, there is a great color transformation that does take place along the shore lines’ foliage and the vantage from the water makes this sort of scenery unforgettable!

So don’t hide indoors just because it’s not swimsuit weather.  There are plenty of great options for SUP in the fall. The first item we recommend for fall are booties. While they do take away a tiny bit of board-steering ability and balance, they keep your feet warmer than if you were barefoot.  If you really are not into ‘cold feet’ get waterproof water socks and wear them underneath booties to keep your feet totally dry! We do not recommend any type of split toe footwear; it can make your feet colder as no body heat transfer can occur.

Layered clothing is key. We recommend wearing only non-cotton layered outer wear. Start with Capri pants and as the season moves on work your way to a full legged pant. Always wear at least two to three layers on top that you can tie around your waist when you get warm.

Last but not least, make sure you buddy up. Never paddle off season alone! Safety should never be compromised. Always wear a whistle, PFD (personal flotation device) and have a leash that connects you to your board. Make sure you check the winds and the tides as you have less ‘wiggle’ room in the autumn, when the days are shorter and the weather changes faster than the lazy warm days of summer!

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