It’s never too early to start thinking about the holidays, at least not in our household. Judge all you want, but we’re already making plans to put up our Christmas tree. We are those people. We shop for presents throughout the year, squirreling them away until it’s time to wrap them up in the most obnoxious paper and the biggest bows. We buy ornaments for our tree from every place we visit and can’t help but pick up a few new ones just because. We know not everyone is as stoked for the holidays as we are, but this year in particular, it’s probably wise to start your planning and shopping a little earlier than usual. You know, supply chain and all. So today, we’re sharing a special, early gift guide for the paddler in your life. Or yourself. It’s been a tough (nearly) two years. Treat yourself.

Read on for our top picks in a variety of price points. We’ll also introduce you to a few brands we really like. And, as a bonus, our friends from our favorite local shops have a few special offers to help you put presents under the Christmas bush, Hanukkah tree, or other centerpiece of your holiday celebrations.

A quick note: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click on some of our links and make purchases. However, any brand or product we plug, unless otherwise stated, is something that we use ourselves.

Gifts For You & Yours

These are the kind of reasonably priced items you can feel good about gifting to the paddler in your life, or to yourself! And with so many options in each category, they can easily be gifted to beginners or the seasoned SUPer.

Dry bags: Dry bags are a bit of a dime a dozen but a quality dry bag is something to invest in. We’ve all had that dry bag that’s failed to actually keep our gear dry. No thanks. Our tip is to always buy a well-known brand and local shops generally have these in stock. So do online retailers like Backcountry.com, which carry a lot of options from reputable companies. Brand spotlight: Our tried and true dry bag of choice is, hands down, those from Watershed. You might have sticker shock when you see the prices compared to other products on the market but we can assure you these bags are worth every penny. We love this brand for their commitment to high quality products that stand the test of time, and adventures. We’ve been using the same bag for 10 years! They’ve made some upgrades since then, obvs, but this is the closest to what we have. Bonus: their bags are all made in North Carolina.

Splash proof bags: Anyone spending time in clothing that gets wet knows how important it is to have a bag for said wet clothes when they get off the water. We’ve seen people use Ziploc bags for this, but in an effort to cut down on single-use products, our preference is always something reusable. Brand spotlight: We’ve invested in a lot of these types of bags in many different sizes from Aloha Collection. They’re considered splash proof not waterproof because the zippers and seams aren’t water tight. But they do a great job of keeping your wet bathing suit and trunks away from the rest of your stuff. We use them after surfing, paddling, or even if we need to change out of sweaty clothes at the top of a summit. They also double as suitcase organizers and laundry bags on trips!
Polarized sunglasses: We all know the benefits of wearing sunglasses, but polarized sunglasses go one step further for us paddlers. Polarized lenses help reduce the glare from horizontal surfaces like the water. This is another category that has something for virtually any price point - from the more expensive brands like Ray-Ban, Oakley, and Spy, to more affordable options like Blenders Eyewear and Humps Optics. We’ve worn ‘em all.
Waterproof speakers: In all honesty, waterproof speakers aren’t really our thing on the water. We paddle to connect with nature and to be still, so we aren’t huge fans of listening to music, or hearing other people's music for that matter. We feel the same when we’re hiking and snowboarding. But, we know a lot of people do enjoy listening to tunes when they’re out for a paddle (to each their own), so this could make a nice gift.
Electric pump for inflatable boards: If you have a paddler in your life that’s still inflating their board by hand, please do them a huge favor and buy them an electric pump.
Paddle cover: Paddles are a big investment. A paddle cover is a sound investment and a thoughtful gift.
Swag: Is your paddler a brand junkie? A fan of a specific SUP company? A board shop groupie? Get them some swag! Whether it’s a hat, t-shirt, or jacket, we bet they’d love to rep their favorite brand.
Tech Wear: Okay, this is a pretty broad category, but you can never go wrong with technical gear for any season. Think rash guards, neoprene pieces, gloves, booties, etc. You can certainly find this gear at big outfitters, but we always try to first support our local board shops and small businesses.
Gift cards from local board shops and outfitters: These shops are an important part of our local communities and economies. Plus, the folks who run them are real experts in the industry. A gift card to a local board shop or outfitter is a nice gift for your loved one and a nice gift to those businesses!

Splurges

If one big gift a year is more your speed, we’ve got a few splurges for you.

A new SUP: Okay, maybe a brand new paddleboard is a bit much. But what about a deposit on one? Or a gift card to help that special paddler buy one after the holidays? Our biggest tip here is to buy reputable. We’ve said it before and we’ll keep saying it. When you buy cheap or from some big box stores, the quality comes into question, as does the company’s ability to repair it. Brand spotlight: If you’re looking for a super special gift, you should check out Flying Fish Board Co. out of Florida. Whether it’s a race board, touring board, SUP surf, or even a prone board, they offer complete customization - from the size and volume of the board, down to the colors of it. And for just $500, you can put down a deposit for the board of your special paddler’s dreams!
Training devices: If you’ve got a SUP racer in your life, a training device like a Speedcoach might be a game changer for them. This specific product breaks down speed, cadence, glide and more.
Fitness watch: Another category with a lot of options. We’re new to the fitness watch world and can really only attest to Garmin, but know the market is flooded with options.
GoPro: For the content creating, photo and video loving paddle boarder in your life.
Membership to a local paddling club: Depending on where you live you may have access to a local paddling club, like the Washington Canoe Club here in DC where we’re members. Membership rates vary, but this could be a cool gift to give someone, especially if they’re looking to connect with the local paddling community.
Paddle: We added this to the splurge category because a quality paddle is generally going to cost you more. If you’re purchasing this gift for someone, it’s best to already know the brand and type they have in mind and we’d definitely recommend waiting to size the paddle until after they open their present.
Dry suit: For the cold climate paddler in your life, a dry suit will revolutionize their off-season paddling or just allow them to paddle in the off-season in general. We personally wear dry suits from Ocean Rodeo and Immersion Research.
Board bags and covers: Similar to a paddle cover, board bags, socks, and covers are a sound investment. Obviously you’d need to know the size of the person’s board, but what a thoughtful way to say “hey, you love this sport and want to help you protect your gear!”
Gift card for a SUP lesson: We love the idea of gifting an experience instead of something material. Lessons are great for anyone - whether you’re new to paddling or a seasoned SUPer looking to take your paddling to the next level or to explore a specific niche. You could even find an outfitter who offers tours in the on-season. *insert shameless plug* Did you know we issue gift certificates for beginner and intermediate/expert SUP lessons and even SUP race technique? Reach out if you’d like to purchase one for the holidays!

Stocking Stuffers

Sometimes, the best things we’ve been gifted have come from our stockings. Stocking stuffers are like the cherry on top of a sundae. These little gifts can still pack a big punch, especially if you find the sweet spot between practical and meaningful.

Board lights: Winter is coming and the sun is setting earlier and earlier. Don’t get caught in the dark. Lights are a U.S. Coast Guard requirement. We often have multiple types on us, including mini lights and Luci inflatable solar lights for our board.
Whistle: Another USCG requirement. If your paddler doesn’t already have one, get them one!
Lip balm: If you spend any time in the outdoors, you can’t have too many tubes of lip balm laying around.
Sunscreen: Paddlers know how important it is to protect our skin from the sun and the elements. Whatever kind you buy, though, try to make sure it’s reef safe and eco-friendly.
Ding repair: For those unexpected, little repairs a fragile SUP may require. For the big ones, take it to a pro. For the ones that can easily be patched, try Ding All & SunCure (generally available at local board shops).
Stickers: We love stickers. We put that sh*t on everything!

Shop Local - Discounts Below!

We usually like to shop local or small biz for much of our outdoor gear. These shops are always a wealth of product and industry knowledge and if you weren’t friends before walking in, you probably will be by the time you walk out. This season, our friends at our favorite local shops are offering exclusive discounts just for you. We hope these promos help get you through their doors - either physically or online - this season!

These three outfitters are the best in the biz and we’re lucky to have them in our local paddling community. Why shop local this year (and every year)? Local owners do what they do because they’re passionate about their industry and products, and we think that always passes down to their customers, who they take the time to know and care about. A lot of the items we’ve mentioned in this post can be found at these shops. Check out these exclusive offers to help you stock up for the holidays:

East of Maui Annapolis: If it involves a board, the team at East of Maui knows about it. From now until Black Friday, get 10% off your purchase by mentioning DC SUP Couple when you call or shop in-store. Not valid on boards, sale items, or gift cards. Trust us, you’ll want to stop in and check out all the merch they can’t fit on their website.

Walk On Water: If you’re looking for that special splurge item, head over to Walk On Water’s website for 10% off your online purchase - including SUPs, kayaks, surf boards, paddles, closeout deals, and more - with code DCSUP10. Excludes Armstrong foil kits and gift cards; shipping restrictions apply for hard boards. Expires 11/30.
Wetsuit Wearhouse: For all of your wetsuit needs, and then some, visit Wetsuit Wearhouse’s extensive online store and enter DCSUP at checkout for 10% off + free shipping when you spend $100 or more. Expires 11/30.

For the SUP Pups

Let’s end on a happy note because dogs, like the holidays, just make us happy. Don’t forget those furry friends who like to paddle too!

PFD: We recommend a life jacket or PFD for dogs every time they hit the water. If your dog jumps or falls in, it’s much easier to pick them up, especially if it has a handle. It also allows them to swim more comfortably and with confidence. Brand spotlight: We’re big fans of Ruffwear’s products and their Float Coat is what our dog, Fin, exclusively wears. The handle was a game-changer when teaching him how to SUP and getting him back on the board.

Waterproof collar: No one likes a stinky pup. If your dog is anything like ours, it’s gonna get wet while SUPing. We avoid cloth or leather collars so the odor doesn’t linger after it dries. Ruffwear’s Confluence Collar is great for the water dogs in your life. Ours wears a similar version of this and it comes DC SUP Pup approved.

Happy shopping! If you need more ideas, you know where to find us!