How to Pack a SUP for Overnight Trips

5 Tips for Packing a SUP for an Overnight Trip..

Packing a SUP for an overnight trip can be tricky if you're on a 11-6 to 14' long board.  If you're in non tropical climate packing enough warm clothes, sleeping bag and tent can be a problem.  But smart choices and clever packing will allow for more things to fit on your board.

- If your board doesn't have leash plugs on the deck to attaching ropes/bags to, add some using plugs by NSI (spectral loops) or Seattle Sports.  Usually 4-6 plugs will do on the nose in front of where you stand.  Give more than 24hrs to cure before attaching rope/bungy. I've rushed it and have had them pull off prior to curing. Or find install your own leash plugs (or hire someone).

Freshwater Bay, WA

- Use cargo netting from a fabric store (rope not bungy) instead of the stock X crossed bungy that comes on most boards. The X shape isn't enough to secure most items down. I've seen a few students lose water bottles from that arrangement.  Kayaking deck bags are also a great solution. Some are waterproof and others like Seattle Sport's Parabolic Deck Bag are shaped to allow for water to pass by without too much drag.

- Pack with minimalism in mind.  Small down sleeping bag vs big synthetic bag.  Tarp and/or bivy instead of a tent. One pair of camp clothes with packable coat.  Pack food and misc small gear into pots to save space. Pack dry items in dry bags then all into a waterproof duffle bag.

- Gather what you need and pack into dry bags.  Then decide what you can do without.  Pack again then remove again till you have the absolute basics.  Carrying too much also means paddling a heavy slow board.

- Do a test run also called a shake down trip before your trip to make sure you gear isn't too heavy to paddle, won't shift in wind and waves or will be a weather cocking (wind shear) issue.  Can you right after a capsize?  How far/fast can you paddle with 35 lbs of gear on your nose?

Safety - Always wear your PFD and leash on open water and in remote areas.

Watch my video on How to Pack a SUP for SUP Magazine, here.

Who's doing overnight SUP tours?

- We do at Salmon Bay Paddle - 1-2 night guided tours on Puget Sound in Washington State. Click here for more info.

- in British Columbia, Norm Hann Expeditions. 

Any questions give me a holler: salmonbaypaddle@gmail.com / 206.465.7167

Check out our Kayak and SUP classes in Seattle - Beginning to advanced instruction including freighter and tug wave surfing, coastal surfing, rivers and racing, plus PSUPA Certification.
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High Winter Daytime Tides of 2017

Tis the season for big daytime high tides and a few King Tides, the highest tides of the year on Puget Sound.  The image below was from November 2016, about a 12.5' high tide.  King Tides usually go to or above 13' heights creating problems for low bank housing, docks and marinas.  Seattle area tides have a smaller range than those of the South Puget Sound. Whereas the Strait of Juan de Fuca and outer coast have ever smaller ranges than Seattle.  

Notable daytime high tides in 2017..

1/2-4 - 12.5'

1/13-15 - 12.9'

In contrast, in Spring and Summer leading up to and just after summer solstice we'll get into big tidal exchanges going from a -3.6 on 6/25 at noon to a 12.4' high that same day at 7:49pm. Pretty cool and fun to watch the change. Get out there and explore the low tide beaches and note how every ridge or depression effect incoming tidal flow and/or waves.  

Follow tides using the resources listed on the following post from earlier this week.  Click here to view

12.5 high tide in Seattle, Nov 2016

Learn more about my book Kayaking Puget Sound and the San Juans, 60 Trips. I also offer SUP and Kayak lessons available throughout the year at Salmon Bay Paddle. Questions about paddling on the Salish Sea, give me a holler anytime at salmonbaypaddle@gmail.com or 206-465-7167

Support the Washington Water Trails Association and the Cascadia Marine Trail. The wwta works to create and protect access for paddlers on Puget Sound as well as provide an extensive network of over 60 paddle-in camping sites - www.wwta.org

SUP Race - New Year's Day Paddling Race - Ballard - Seattle 1/1/17

The Salish Sea isn't just for exploring and poking around, throughout the year there's many competitions in amazing locations. Over a decade ago the Deception Pass Dash, an epic race through tidal rapids began with 175 all craft paddlers. The local outrigger canoeists have an Orca Series that runs throughout the year from  La Connor's Swinhomish Channel to Seattle's Ship Canal, usually 6 mile races open to all. 

I started putting on Monday evening sup races 5 years ago on Seattle's Shilshole Bay to benefit a scholarship fund at the Ballard Elks. Now we welcome all paddlers but it's usually SUPs given my business focus and connections in that area.  

On January 1st, 2017 I'm putting on our first annual New Year's Day Paddling Race also on Shilshole Bay at the Elks Lodge (many of us are members).  Open to all paddlers, it's a super fun race with two courses, a 5m and a 1.5m (depending on conditions).  We'll cool off with the Elks for their annual NY Day Plunge at 1pm.  Read More or check out the Facebook Event Page Volunteers and safety boats welcome. 

5 mile course

Learn more about my book Kayaking Puget Sound and the San Juans, 60 Trips. I also offer SUP and Kayak lessons available throughout the year at Salmon Bay Paddle. Questions about paddling on the Salish Sea, give me a holler anytime at salmonbaypaddle@gmail.com or 206-465-7167

Support the Washington Water Trails Association and the Cascadia Marine Trail. The wwta works to create and protect access for paddlers on Puget Sound as well as provide an extensive network of over 60 paddle-in camping sites - www.wwta.org