Paddle Board Attire
Last year I wrote a post about what to wear when you paddle. There’s a lot of information there, but for paddle boarders, I think we can simplify the process. Here’s what we recommend to wear for paddle boarding in San Francisco.
Footwear
Flip flops rule. Because you’re going to want to take them off. The tactile experience of bare foot to board really helps to find the proper stance and connect with your gear. Wear flip flops to the beach and then take them off and strap them to the deck of your board for paddling. A good second option is water shoes or neoprene booties.
Clothing
What’s most important is that your don’t mind getting wet. For that, water-wicking active-wear is ideal, as it dries faster (cotton, not so much). Other than that, wear something appropriate for the weather. In San Francisco the weather changes so often and quickly (and Dogpatch is usually sunnier than most of town). Think board shorts, yoga pants, and rash guard / t-shirts on sunny days. For cooler days think water-wicking sweat pants, and long sleeve rash guards / active tops, or water-proof jackets.
Wet Suits
Wet suits are not necessary or required to paddle board in any way. The only time we recommend them is if you are prone to falling in, or plan to swim (many of our summer campers like to jump in at every opportunity). The water in the bay is cold but not frigid. You’ll be surprised how refreshing it is on a sunny day and how quickly you can dry off. If you’re not sure about a wet suit, you might try spring suit / shorty that gives you a little breathing room and still provides warmth in your core if you take a dip.
Towels / Ponchos
A great post-paddle accessory is a towel or a Terry poncho. Ponchos in particular work great for campers who spend long days with us and want to warm up after getting off the water.
Sun Protection
The sun is sneaky in San Francisco (sounds like a great song title). Wearing a hat and ample sun screen is always recommended for anyone spending time out on the bay.
Lastly, good news! We have EVERYTHING you need in our shop. We carry O’Neill wetsuits and rash guards. We have Indosole flip flops made from recycled tires. We have Leus towels and ponchos made from recycled water bottles, and much more.