What to Wear for South Lake Tahoe Stand Up Paddleboarding
Summers in South Lake Tahoe are beautiful. Visitors and locals enjoy spending time on the lake. But when you are heading out on the lake for stand up paddleboarding, you will want to be wearing the right clothes and these can be a little different than what you would wear on the beach.
If your South Lake Tahoe vacation involves renting a stand up paddleboard from SUP Tahoe, the right clothing and gear for stand up paddleboarding will keep you comfortable and protected from the elements.
Planning Your SUP Clothing and Gear
The most important item to wear when you are standing up paddleboarding is your life jacket, which you will need to keep on at all times while on the water. Even if you are an experienced swimmer, cold water can inhibit your ability to swim.
This ties into the next important point of remembering to dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature. An afternoon here in South Lake Tahoe can feel very comfortable with temperatures in the high 70s. Water temperatures will top out at 70 degrees and can be as low as 40 at different points in the season and the further out you get from shore.
As you paddle, splashes of water can feel great and help you cool down, but the water will also feel extremely cold if you fall in. Knowing what to wear so that you feel good both in and out of the water will help you stay comfortable all day and for any outcome:
Swimsuit - A swimsuit is always a good base layer since it can get wet as you launch your stand up paddleboard and it is the perfect option for when you need to take a break during your ride for a swim.
Sun Protection - South Lake Tahoe has relatively high UV exposure. In addition to wearing sunscreen, covering up with a looser long sleeve shirt can keep the sun off your arms and shoulders while still being cool enough for exercising.
Athletic Wear - SUP is a workout and will involve a lot of movement, especially with the arms, throughout your trip. Athletic wear that lets you move freely and does not chafe with repetitive motion will always be a good decision. Sweat wicking fabrics are also good if you start getting warm.
Layers without Cotton - Cotton fabrics absorb water and do not insulate when wet. If you are going to wear top layers over your swimsuit or athletic wear, go for quick drying fabrics or wool that dry quickly or keep you warm even if you fall in.
Bring Layers - Even if you start your day off in just a swimsuit, it is never a bad idea to have some layers with you or back on shore where you can easily get to them. You can pull on a jacket if a breeze kicks up or the temperature starts dropping in the evening.
Shoes - Many people choose to SUP barefoot, but if you are getting on and off in rocky areas, it makes sense to have shoes with you. Water shoes or secure waterproof sandals are usually the best choice.
Hat - Hats are a matter of personal preference but can help keep the sun off your face.
Sunglasses Strap - If you will be bringing your glasses or sunglasses with you and they do not float, you shdd have them on a strap to keep them attached in case you look down or fall off your board.
In addition to these clothing items, you will want to be equipped with some standard gear. When you rent an SUP in South Lake Tahoe from SUP Tahoe, the rental includes a board leash that you will wear around your ankle so you do not get separated from your board if you end up in the water. You will also have a whistle that will let you easily signal for help should you need it and a PFD for whenever you are on the water.
When you have the right gear and clothing to keep you comfortable, you will likely find that you can spend the entire day on a stand up paddleboard, enjoying all that Lake Tahoe has to offer.
Get started by making your packing list and booking a SUP for rent online from SUP Tahoe today.
