You’ve seen it all over social media….picture perfect scenes of beautiful pups, on gorgeous boards in pristine waters….enjoying the outdoors with their humans. I’m here to give you our version of the truth, why we like it and how you can do it too!

SUP-Stand Up Paddleboard. One of our favorite summer activities. Some people in the more ‘hard core’ outdoor community can be a little down on SUP’s….they aren’t seen as a very athletic or a meaningful mode of transport for some. And that’s kinda what we like about it.

Aside from sailing (which has proven to be very adrenaline pumping) we do mostly cardio, endurance, adrenaline style activities. SUPping is like a forced mode of relaxation. Grab some drinks, Bob Marley and the boards-it’s suddenly island time in the Midwest.

That’s not to say SUPping doesn’t have value as an athletic pursuit. There is an entire branch of racing that we haven’t dove into too much. The act of standing in your board, using your core, creating a solid base and of course using your arms to paddle is certainly physical exertion!

We prefer to get out on the SUPs when we want to a) relax or b) it’s simply to hot to do anything else. There’s a few reasons we love to SUP over something like kayaking or canoeing.

1) The ease of off/on. Of the vessels you can paddle, SUPs are the easiest to get off and on. And because there is no “in” no water is pooling-they don’t get more difficult to paddle, or loose stability as the day goes on. Which is why they’re perfect for hot days. Wanna swim? Just get in! Wanna just cool your legs? That’s easy too! Need a game for encouragement? Take your dog and play with their favorite toy!

2) They are perfect for dogs. They are super easy to get your pup off and on. Nearly all have a soft top that’s perfect for you and Fido’s comfort, but adds to their stability too. Most dogs will jump off a board easier than they would a dock, and getting them on is super simple with a Puppy PFD !

3) Easy Transport! If you are thinking about something to purchase for yourself/family, nothing is easier to transport than a SUP. Canoes are nearly always a 2 person gig (for paddling too unless you actually buy a solo boat) and kayaks can get pretty tricky to load and unload by your lonesome as soon as you add any length. SUPs can go on nearly any vehicle with just horizontal bars, and of course specialty racks can make anything easier. We would buy the SUP Dog rack from Yakima again if we had too.

Our Tips!

1) Gain confidence solo-this maybe goes without saying but here I am saying it. Getting on the water with your dog will be a lot more fun if you have some rudimentary skills solo first. This also applies to safety. Make sure you have the appropriate floatation for your skill, comfort and body of water.

I’ve mentioned before Brandon and I have a long history and skill set on the water. We opt for inflatable waist worn PFD’s that we keep on the boards. We are always with a partner, on flat water and never venture into weather beyond our paddle reach. If we were to go out solo, in moving water or in more rugged conditions, our floatation choice may change. Make sure to make the appropriate floatation choice for yourself.

2) Bring a toy! One that floats, preferably one that’s bright (and not blue)! Sage loves the frisbee. The word makes his butt wiggle and as soon as he sees it, that’s where his focus goes. So we bring one….and we throw it….and throw it…..we make sure to give him plenty of breaks-and stop to give him clean water to drink so he doesn’t over-do it on lake water. The best part of bringing your dog to SUP on a hot day, it’s one of the best ways to get them exercise.

3) Get a Doggie Life Jacket. Sage can swim. He’s a great swimmer. But his face stays out of the water higher holding onto his frisbee when he’s wearing his jacket. It also has a handle-looks like most on the market do. When he gets up to the board in deep water, his front paws go up-and we use the handle for a quick and safe way to get him the rest of the way onto the board. Bonus? It’s bright yellow-I worry less about him going long for a toss and someone reckless not seeing him. It’s also super bright if he were to run ashore, but it also has a clip for a leash so we can use it as his harness before and after a sesh! We’ve been very happy with the Float Coat from Ruffwear!

4) Bring goodies for you! We like to bring a soft-sided cooler that also serves as a bit of a dry bag. Most are minimally water resistant and float. So we load it up with snacks, drinks and usually keep our phones inside to keep them from getting too hot (inside waterproof pouches). Add a waterproof Bluetooth speaker (if you aren’t someplace that implies solitude) and you are set for a great time!

5) Plan to get wet. The first few runs are sure to be a bit rocky….so you’ll have a lot more fun if you’re ready with your gear and your mind to get wet. We don’t bring extra clothes or a towel…as I said, we go on warm days and leave those things in the car. We also don’t bring expensive sunglasses or we’re sure to have some ‘keepers’ on them. And everything else is strapped down. We keep the cooler clipped to the board in case if slides off and tries to float away, PFD’s, speakers and anything else is attached. No sad faces around here.

Packing List:

SUPS

Paddles

PFD’s (for pup too)

Water

Drinks (in Yeti Hot Shot mugs)

Yeti Hopper Cooler

Bose Bluetooth Speaker (this recent upgrade from an old cheap one has been pretty amazing)

Frisbee (or other toy of course)

….and anything else you need to be comfortable for a day in the sun!

Lastly-a note of safety. Even in cool water, we are cautious with bringing Sage outside in very hot conditions. With full sun, it’s still possible for him to overheat. We also check water quality for any baddies that might be dangerous to our canine friends. And of course, you can’t trust anyone else on the water. It seems like an unlikely event-but we are very careful with Sage around other boaters, loud noises and any potentially tempting wildlife!

That’s all for now-hope you enjoyed reading. Comment below if you get out with your pup!!!

As always, get out and enjoy some Days Off!