With summer in full swing, stand up paddle boarding is a great way to get outside with your dog! Interested in stand up paddle boarding but don’t know where to start? We talked with avid SUP enthusiast, Makenzie Brinker, to get the inside scoop on how to get started with your dog.
Meet Makenzie & Finley
Makenzie and her 3 year old yorkie-poodle, Finley, are no strangers to getting out and about for a day on the water. “Living in Florida, we go to the beach a lot. We love to go and do stuff; swimming, kayaking, and paddle boarding is good too,” she shares. Before getting into paddle boarding, Makenzie and Finley shared their love of being on the water through a different sport. “I actually started kayaking with him first and I think that was helpful for the introduction to paddle boarding,” Makenzie says.
With years of water adventures under their belts, Makenzie has great advice for newcomers who are interested in learning to SUP with their dogs.
Brush Up On Obedience
You’ve got your dog and a paddle board - but wait! Don’t rush bringing your pup out with you just yet. Taking time to brush up on their obedience skills can make your experience more enjoyable.
“Obedience was absolutely number 1 for us. We’ve done a lot of training, including basic obedience, before we heavily started getting adventurous,” says Makenzie. Because SUP requires being calm and balanced to avoid tumbling into the water, “having a trained dog is important for beginners, even if that means just having a solid sit/stay command to settle on a paddle board,” she says. Makenzie also taught Finley a “leave it” command; this command is important for dogs who may want to leap off of your paddle board. “If you think about it, if you can’t control your dog on land - it’s going to be even more difficult to do it on water.”
Desensitize Equipment
From the board to a new life jacket, making sure your dog is comfortable around SUP equipment will set you up for success.
“Prepare them before going out on the water,” Mackenzie says. “Set the board on land, get on it, move it around, step on it.” Encouraging your dog to interact with the equipment and offering rewards for interactions will help create a positive association. “Building confidence is important as well,” she states. You can work on confidence on the board by imitating how water might feel: moving it, rocking it side to side, and standing/sitting on it with your dog.
Got Rex Specs? Brush up on goggle training!
Once your dog is comfortable hopping on your paddle board on solid land, you’re ready to start planning your first outing!
Plan for Paddling
Before heading out, scout out location options and check the weather! Knowing the area you plan to paddle board in and what weather conditions to expect can help you stay safe. Don’t forget to check regulations to ensure that dogs are allowed in the chosen body of water, and familiarize yourself with local leash laws.
Pro Tip: Find somewhere with shallow water! This can help your dog get used to being on the paddle board in an environment that is easier for you to control.
Bring the Essentials
Makenzie makes sure that Finley is equipped with a life vest, a collar with updated identification, a secure leash, and his Rex Specs Dog Goggles. Due to an eye injury that Finley sustained in 2023, Makenzie says “his Rex Specs are a must anywhere we go with water and sand.” Rex Specs provide Finley with protection from debris like kicked up sand. Their lenses are UV400 rated, blocking 99.9% of UVA and UVB rays and making them a great choice for dogs spending time in the sun.
Additional must-haves for their paddle boarding trips include plenty of fresh water, sunscreen, towels, and a fully charged phone in case of emergency. It can also be helpful to keep a first aid kit nearby. For dogs who are new to paddle boarding, bringing their favorite treats can create a positive association as you transition from land to water.
Take It Slow!
Now that you have prepared yourself and your dog, it’s time to hit the water!
When you get to your destination, take things slow. Encourage your dog to start your session with confidence. “When we first get to our location, I let him (Finley) get on and off the paddle board on land. I set an expectation for him so that he knows what I want from him,” Makenzie says.
Choose a shallow area of water to get your dog used to the less than steady surface. Mackenzie notes that in shallow water, “the dog can stand next to your board or sit on it, and you have a lot more control than you do in deep water.”
Another tip that Makenzie gives to newcomers is to keep sessions short and set realistic expectations. “In the beginning, keep sessions short so that your dog doesn’t get anxious or overwhelmed," she says. "If you have all of these high expectations and you don’t meet them the first time, you can get discouraged.”
Makenzie’s Top Tips
When asked what her top pieces of advice are for those interested in getting into stand up paddle boarding with their pups, Makenzie says “Know your dog!”
Know their comfort levels in and around water and unfamiliar objects. Being mindful of their limits and not pushing them too hard will cultivate a positive experience for them when learning this activity. Keep a positive mind set and have good energy while building up their confidence.
Creating connections in your community can also help. “See if there’s a group near you that teaches a class on paddle boarding. There’s a company where I’m located where you pay a fee, they give you the paddle board, you bring your dog, and they help you learn,” she says.
Ready to Make Waves? Here Are Our Favorite Tips:
- Brush Up on Obedience: Before hitting the water, make sure your dog knows valuable skills like sit and stay.
- Desensitize Gear on Land: Get your dog used to being around/on your paddle board while on land!
- Check Locations & Weather: Check local regulations and ensure that dogs are allowed, and always check the forecast.
- Bring the Right Gear: Bring plenty of water, your dog's swim vest, a waterproof leash and collar with an updated ID tag, and Rex Specs goggles for sunny days.
- Start Shallow: Start in shallow waters where you have more control over the board and your pet.
- Take it Slow: Know your dog and their limits. Start small! Keep early sessions short.
- Have Fun: Be confident and have a good time!