As with any outdoors sport that requires you to get on the water, the best time to paddleboard is an important question. Luckily, for the most part, this lies with personal preference, meaning you can usually paddleboard whenever you please!
What time of year is best for paddleboarding?
The beauty of paddleboarding is that it can be enjoyed all year long. The ‘best’ time of year to get out on your paddleboard is entirely subjective and will ultimately depend on personal preference.
Paddleboarding in Summer
In the UK, the water temperature tends to be at its highest in late summer, during August and September.
Despite Britain’s notoriously unpredictable climate, summer typically offers far more enjoyable weather, with reduced wind speeds and less rainfall making for ideal paddleboarding conditions.
For many, the strongest argument as to why summer is the best time of year to paddleboard is the amazingly long days. Whilst in winter the days can be a short as eight hours, in summer we are lucky enough to experience up to 16 hours of daylight – plenty of extra time to safely get out on the water!
Despite the milder temperatures, we’d still recommend wearing a wetsuit when paddleboarding in summer. Not only will a wetsuit keep you warm if you fall in the water, it will also offer protection from the sun’s harmful rays.
Paddleboarding in Winter
Paddleboarding in winter offers an entirely different experience to that felt in summer but is often only tried by more dedicated riders.
Those who do venture out during the colder months often choose to do so as the water is far less busy than in peak season, making for a more serene experience.
Nature fans will also often favour paddleboarding in winter over summer. Not only will heading out on your SUP during winter reveal unique landscapes, but without the crowds you are also more likely to spot rarer water species that typically shy away from humans.
However, as beautiful as paddleboarding in winter is, you must take a few extra measures to ensure your safety out on the water.
Most importantly, you must dress appropriately; the same wetsuit you wore to paddleboard throughout summer won’t cut it. Instead, you should ideally wear a dedicated winter wetsuit for optimum warmth and insulation, or thermal layers in addition to a thinner wetsuit.
When paddleboarding during winter, you will find that conditions are often far rougher than in summer. Always be sure to check the weather forecast and wave height before heading out on the water.
You should also note that in the UK’s popular coastal locations, lifeguard patrols are usually seasonal, meaning that during winter there will not be someone on shore keeping an eye out on those out on the water. Whilst we’d recommend against paddling alone, if you do head out solo always tell someone on land where you’re going, and when you plan to return.
Best time of day for paddleboarding
Once you’ve decided what time of year to get out on your SUP, you must decide on the best time of day.
Paddleboarding in the morning
For many, paddleboarding first thing in the morning is the ultimate start to the day; being the first boarder to break through the water is an unrivalled experience.
Heading down to the beach or lake first thing is also a perfect way to avoid the crowds – even in summer. If you get there early enough you might even catch a glimpse of sunrise!
Paddleboarding during the day
Beginners often favour the comfort of paddleboarding in the middle of the day. With other paddlers in the water, as well as a lifeguard presence on most shores, if you are not yet confident on the water, we’d suggest heading out during the day.
Don’t forget that the sun is at it’s most powerful from 11am – 3pm, so ensure you are wearing a high SPF – even in winter!
Paddleboarding at night
Although watching the sun set on your SUP is a magical experience, there a few associated risks when it comes to paddleboarding at night. If you do decide to head out during the evening, never do so alone and always remain close to shore and in an area you have already paddled in during daylight.
You should also remember that even during summer months, the temperature will drop dramatically as soon as the sun goes down and dress accordingly.
If you don’t feel confident enough to head out at night without expert support or don’t have a companion, but still want to experience a moonlight SUP, research guided night-time paddleboarding tours in your area.
Ready to get out on the water? At Two Bare Feet we have a huge range of SUPs and paddle board accessories, ensuring you are fully equipped for your next paddleboarding adventure. For further guidance and advice, be sure to check out the rest of our blog.
