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In last weeks Tuesday Tips we talked about the importance of getting in the water with your dog. One of the ways to do this is by taking your dog out on a Stand Up Paddleboard or SUP for short.
SUPing is becoming increasingly popular. Jack and I SUP’ed around the country last year on our Jack’s Journey USA on our ISLE inflatable paddle board. It was perfect for us for traveling because I would deflate it and put it in the bag and in my overhead compartment. A hard board would not work for me because I do not have the room to store it nor do I want to transport it on my roof. Another thing I like about an inflatable is that the entire top is soft for Jack!
I would always advise to rent any type of equipment before purchasing to make sure it is a sport that you like to do, especially if you plan on taking Fido. If you can, rent a soft top board if you are taking Fido. It will be much less slippery! Also, rent a board that is at least 10′ and 30″ wide, especially if you have a large dog.
No matter what type of water sport that you do with your dog, we would ALWAYS recommend a doggie life jacket. They have a handle on top in case Fido falls in and plus, the extra buoyancy will help even if your dog is a good swimmer.
Then when SUPing for the first time with Fido:
1/ Put Fido on the board on dry land first and let him get used to it. Feed him some treats on the board. If you are on a hard board, you may want to bring a bath mat or cut yoga mat to put on the front of the board so it is not slippery for Fido. I would highly recommend a soft top board.
2/ If you can, start off in shallow and calm water and let Fido get his balance on the board. If you can get him to lay down instead of wandering on the board, that is better especially if he is a big dog. This is where your dog obedience comes in. It helps if your dog knows “sit”, “down” and “stay” on dry land first before getting on the water.
3/ Once you feel that Fido is ok with it, sit on the board and paddle out a little deeper. When sitting and paddling, you are at Fido’s eye level and it will make him feel more secure. Try to keep Fido in the middle of the board for balance purposes.
4/ Continue to give treats as needed. Make this a positive experience.
5/ If Fido is doing ok, then you can get on your knees on the board. Make sure that you are in the middle of the board, over the handle. This will help you figure out if you are ok with the balance with your dog on the board with you. Some dogs walk around the board which throws your balance off. Again, try to get Fido to sit or lie down in the back or right next to you in the front but out of the way of your paddling.
6/ You may want to stay on your knees for the first time out. Keep the first time short so that it is a positive experience for everyone.
7/ Once you both feel secure on the board, stand in the center of the board directly over the handle. Try to keep Fido in the center of the board with you for better balance.
8/ Slightly bend your legs and use your core when paddling. If you are just using your arms, they will tire quickly. Put one hand on the top of the paddle and the other hand in the middle. For a more efficient paddle, push with your top hand and pull with your bottom hand.
The main thing is to smile and enjoy the ride! You are with your best friend so no matter what happens, you are making memories! It is really fun to see where your board will take you. This photo is of Jack and I on the Crooked River in Maine!
We would love to hear about your paddle experience in the comments below!
