Red Paddle Co's Sup Safety Tips For Winter 2026

When it comes to stand-up paddle boarding during winter, preparation and safety become more important than ever. Colder temperatures come with additional risks that even experienced paddlers need to take extra care with their SUP safety. We’ve put together a selection of essential SUP safety tips to help keep you safe on the water throughout winter this year.

Always Paddle With A Leash And A Buoyancy Aid

Two of the most important pieces of paddle board safety equipment you’ll want to be wearing at all times are a leash and a buoyancy aid. These vital SUP safety tools will be of significant help to you when you end up falling off your board into the water.

A leash keeps you connected to your board, preventing it from drifting out of reach if you fall off. Meanwhile, a buoyancy aid will help you to keep afloat and help you conserve energy. This is especially important in the winter, as your energy will drain much faster. These key pieces of SUP safety equipment are vital for your safety and confidence on the water.

Keep Your Valuables Safe And Secure

Protecting your belongings when you’re out on the water is nearly as important as protecting yourself. This is particularly true for your phone, which is a vital lifeline if something goes wrong while you’re out paddle boarding alone. The best way to protect your belongings is by making use of a Red Waterproof Dry Pouch. Our dry pouches are built to remain totally waterproof, even when fully submerged, which they’re about to achieve thanks to the Armour Tech TPU fabric with 10mm welded seams and a diving-spec YKK AQUASEAL zip. A 1.3L volume makes it ideal for storing essentials such as your phone, keys, and wallet.

Be Wary Of Cold Shock

One of the real dangers of winter paddle boarding is cold shock, which is an involuntary response to sudden exposure to cold water that triggers rapid breathing and a loss of muscle control. This can affect even the most seasoned swimmers, so it’s a real danger you need to account for. To ensure your SUP safety, you need to make sure you’re wearing appropriate cold-weather clothes and try to remain calm when falling in. Focus on taking control of your breathing and keeping your board close (a leash will help greatly in this scenario).

Keep Yourself Fed And Hydrated

Cold conditions can trick the body into ignoring its need for food and hydration, but in reality, both are more important than ever. Your body is working overtime to try and maintain its temperature, which burns more energy. You need to fuel yourself with (ideally hot) food and drink to keep your energy levels up and prevent the cold from becoming a SUP safety risk. An Insulated Drinks Bottle from Red has a generous 750ml capacity and great insulating properties, maintaining a consistent liquid temperature - hot for 12 hours or cold for 24 hours. It’s anti-rust, anti-corrosion and highly durable.

Make Sure People Know Where You Are

This is one of the core tenets of SUP safety. Always inform a friend or family member where you’re paddling, your planned route, and when you expect to return. You need somebody who can respond quickly, armed with solid information, to be able to help you in a bind. If you can, paddleboard with a friend or family member too, so you aren’t alone and have help to hand if you need it.

If You’re Bringing A Pet, Protect Them Too

If you’re a fan of paddle boarding with your dog, then you need to account for their SUP safety, too. Luckily, paddle boarding safety equipment is available for your furry friend, too, in the form of a Dog Buoyancy Aid. This excellent piece of SUP safety equipment helps keep your dog afloat and comes with an integrated lead attachment point and grab handles. There’s also reflective detailing incorporated to help in low-light conditions.

If you have any questions about SUP safety in cold conditions, or want to ask about any of the above paddle boarding safety equipment, then why not reach out to us? Our team are all experts on SUP safety, and we’ll be more than happy to lend you our expertise to help assure that you’re getting the best equipment to protect yourself on the water.