Paddleboard instructor Natasha Sones shares tips on board choice, packing under 18 kg, planning your route and staying safe on a multi-day SUP trip.
When thinking about multi-day adventures, the most common ideas are of people hiking, running, bikepacking or perhaps kayaking. Not many people think to do it by stand-up paddleboard (SUP) but it is actually the perfect way to get about!
Paddleboard touring opens up a whole new way to explore the UK's spectacular coasts, rivers and waterways. Ideal for longer paddling trails, you can paddle fully self-supported or through an organised trip if you are less confident.
Paddleboard Instructor and adventure blogger Natasha Sones loves adventuring and has just completed a coast-to-coast adventure by paddleboard across England! Here she shares some top tips for combining camping with SUP.
Choosing a paddleboard
An inflatable SUP board is ideal for travelling with as they are portable and easy to store, especially if you are using public transport.
Paddleboards best suited for SUP camping are 3.8 metres or longer and at least 76 cm wide. You will need to optimise much of the deck space for carrying gear, so look for one with good bungee straps. Consider the weight of the board as well in case you have to carry it.
Equipment
You don't need a lot of kit, other than what you would usually take on a camping trip and equipment for the paddleboard (paddleboard, paddle, pump, leash (preferably quick release) and fin). Part of the enjoyment is the feeling of going off-grid and surviving with minimal equipment.
Keep your total kit weight under 18 kg
Identify multi-use items and create space for one or two creature comforts like a book. Otherwise if you have to do any portaging (carrying your board and kit), it will be really heavy.
Prioritise. Some things are more important to people than others. For example, I always struggle to sleep when camping as I get very cold at night. So for me it is a priority to have a warm sleeping bag. I use the Alpkit Radiant sleeping mat and Pipedream 600 down sleeping bag to keep me toasty warm. But I am not so worried about clothes and am happy to re-wear clothing as much as possible so I would cut down on clothing instead.
Think about how you will carry the board when not on the water. You might want to get a shoulder strap for carrying it, or kayak wheels to pull it along on. Will you take the board in its bag and how will you store the bag when paddling? Some bags have a separate backpack so that you don't need to take the whole board bag out with you.
Drybags will keep your kit dry, and ensure you pack things inside the bags inside bags as well, for extra protection.
Clothing for a paddle trip should be quick drying and bring a change of clothes and a towel. A hat is good for warmth and to keep the sun off, plus a cag or raincoat if it rains. I love my Alpkit mountain beanie for the winter paddles especially. You will also need footwear for the portages.
Camping in wilderness environments means adding a potentially damaging element to a remote and wild area. That element being you and any waste you produce. There may be some toilets on the way, but if it is particularly remote you will need to research items such as wag bags and trowels! A facilities key may be helpful for paddling canals, so you can unlock boaters' facilities.
Planning your trip
When paddling for a longer distance, planning is important. When planning a route, consider these:
- Is my route easy to follow and navigate? Is the selected route within my paddling skills?
- What length is my trip? Whether it is a weekend escape or a week-long expedition, it will depend on how much time you have, how far you can paddle per day, how much portaging there is to do (carrying your board) and more.
- Am I going to stay close to the shoreline and be better protected from wind and waves? If I travel further from shore, I am prone to wind and waves.
- Are there designated campfire sites and tent sites for breaks and overnight stays along the route?
- When planning a SUP expedition, it's always a great idea to do trial runs with gear to make sure the logistics of planning go accordingly. Test runs are extremely important in helping you figure out what you really need, what you can leave behind, whether or not you're bringing too much, etc.
- Be visible and avoid official waterways. Keep in mind, that a small SUP may not be easy to spot from a bigger vessel, such as a cargo ship, passenger ship or even a motor boat. Keep away from waterways meant for other boat traffic.
- Be aware that you may have to change plans at the last minute if the weather is not what was forecast, and think of how this will affect your transport when planning multi-day trips. Especially if the paddles are in different locations. Always have a backup plan for accommodation and transport if necessary.
- Test runs also allow you to test out your gear like your water filtration and GPS systems to make sure they are in working order before you leave allowing you time to fix any problems that arise.
Accommodation
Where will you sleep on your trip? Sleeping in a gorgeous campsite under the stars sounds idyllic to a lot of people. But are there suitable campsites along the route? You will need to check and perhaps book in advance if going at a popular time such as the summer months.
Camping is an inexpensive and enjoyable way to get back to nature after a day of scenic paddling. Many multi-day trips on rivers like the Wye and Severn have designated riverside campsites with facilities. There is an added benefit of just being able to stop there without getting transport to a hotel, not having to deflate your board and so on.
Wild camping rules in the UK
Generally, wild camping without the landowner's permission is illegal in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, because all land is privately owned. But wild camping in Scotland isn't prohibited thanks to right to roam laws. If you follow the Countryside Code and the rules of wild camping that most participants adhere to, such as arriving late, leaving early and leaving no trace, it's unlikely anyone will ask you to move on. If you are worried, it's better to go to an official campsite. See our guide to Leave No Trace camping for more.
Lightweight tents for paddleboard camping
Weight and pack size matter on a SUP. The Alpkit Ordos and Soloist are both designed for fast and light adventures: quick to pitch, compact enough to fit in a drybag, and robust enough for riverside and coastal conditions. Natasha used both on her coast-to-coast crossing.
You might prefer to stay in a cheap hotel or Airbnb along the way. When I completed the coast to coast paddle across England, I stayed in inexpensive canal-side hotels and Airbnbs because there wasn't a huge amount of campsites available. I also wanted a hot shower after paddling several miles every day for 10 days.
Eating and drinking
This is an obvious but very important part of preparing for an expedition. Food is an item that is heavy and takes up a lot of your limited cargo space so planning ahead and making sure you have enough food for every day that you are away is imperative. Have a think about whether you want to eat out along the way, carry snacks and cook your own food or do a mixture of the two. It can get expensive if you eat out on a long trip, but the occasional stop at a riverside pub is perfect for a well-earned break on a beautiful day.
Will you take all your own supplies or re-stock en route? If so, make sure there are shops available nearby.
If cooking you will need equipment, such as a stove and fuel. I use the Alpkit Brukit stove. Don't forget utensils, food and water. You will have to carry more water if using it to cook with as well as drink.
Will you want to take a water filter system/tabs with you? Are there any places you might be able to get water along the route? Make sure you have a water bottle and flask if you are planning to boil water.
Safety first
Being in different places and on different waters means you need to know as much about water safety as possible. Consider taking some extra lessons or safety courses, such as the Paddlesport Safety and Rescue course or the British Canoeing Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning course. Empower yourself with skills to rescue and safely manage common emergency situations.
- Carrying a compass, detailed topographic map or nautical chart to assist with navigation. Relying on a navigation app only is never a good idea, since my device may run out of battery or get wet.
- Carrying a phone, smart watch and powerbanks in waterproof bag. Have safety apps such as What3Words.
- Have contingency plans and float plan.
- Brushing up on paddling skills, specifically self-rescue and navigation.
- Checking the weather forecast before and during your journey as needed. Observe the local weather when planning routes.
Biosecurity
Part of taking on a multi-day paddle is that you will be visiting more than one location in a short space of time. This means you need to be vigilant about biosecurity and not carrying invasive non-native species (INNS) from one body of water to another.
Check, Clean, Dry between every location
You will need to thoroughly clean and dry your kit before paddling on a different body of water to avoid spreading anything.
You can follow Natasha's SUP camping adventures at instagram.com/natashastarseeker
More adventures on the water
- Canoe camping kit list: what to pack for your trip
- The splendour of dawn: canoeing and wild camping in Scotland
Frequently asked questions about SUP camping
What size paddleboard do you need for a camping trip?
Paddleboards suited to SUP camping are 3.8 metres or longer and at least 76 cm wide. An inflatable board is ideal: portable, easy to store and practical for public transport. Look for strong bungee straps to carry gear, and factor in board weight if you expect portages.
How much should your kit weigh for a SUP camping trip?
Aim for a total kit weight under 18 kg. Identify multi-use items and cut anything non-essential. If portaging your board and kit between water sections, every extra kilogram adds up quickly.
Is wild camping legal in the UK on a paddleboard trip?
Wild camping without landowner permission is generally illegal in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as all land is privately owned. In Scotland it is permitted under right to roam laws. Many popular paddle routes, including the Wye and Severn, have designated riverside campsites with facilities.
What safety equipment do you need for a multi-day paddleboard trip?
Carry a compass and a paper topographic map or nautical chart. Never rely on a navigation app alone as your device can run out of battery or get wet. Keep a phone, smartwatch and powerbanks in a waterproof bag with safety apps like What3Words. Check the weather forecast before and during your trip and have a float plan with contingency options.
How do you prevent spreading invasive species when paddleboarding?
Follow Check, Clean, Dry before paddling on any new body of water. Thoroughly clean and dry your board, paddle, leash, footwear and clothing to avoid carrying invasive non-native species (INNS) between locations.