Do you know that from 2011 to 2021, the number of participants in stand-up paddling in the United States alone jumped from 1.15 to 3.74 million, and we all know that many of those paddlers will be bringing their furry friends along for the ride?

Dogs love being on the water and there are now a number of paddle boards designed specifically for them.

If you're looking for the best paddle board for dogs, then you've come to the right place. In this article, we'll be discussing some of the best options on the market and what to look for when making your purchase. So whether you're a first-time buyer or just looking to upgrade, read on for some helpful tips!

Dog Paddle Boards Reviews

Outdoor Master iSUP Board Swordfish | 2023 Version

BEST FOR PADDLEBOARD WITH DOG

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Board Dimensions: 10.6'x32"x6" (enough space for a larger paddler with a dog)

• Board Category: All-around

• Max Capacity: 330 lbs (able to accommodate the majority of paddlers with dogs)

• Board Weight: 23 lbs (easy to carry)

• List Price: $399.99 (Use code SUP40 for a free Dolphin E-pump/ get it for $349)

• Returns Period: 30 days for an exchange

• Warranty: 2 years

PERFORMANCE

MANEUVERABILITY

In terms of maneuverability, the Chasing Blue Ace Sport is very easy to turn and maneuver due to its width of just 32".

SPEED

The same thing with speed, this board glides smoothly and takes less effort to go forward, making it good for those who are looking for a little extra speed on the water.

TRACKING

The Chasing Blue Ace Sport can keep a straight line with the help of its large center fin.

STABILITY

This is where the Chasing Blue Solar Spirit does not shine. With its shape, it can be a bit more challenging for beginners.

FEATURES

CONSTRUCTION

The Chasing Blue Solar Spirit is made with high-density PVC and a pre-laminated drop stitch fabric in order to create a light and rigid paddle board.

Yes, it is the best construction you can get for the price but compared to other SUP boards in higher price ranges, it is not as strong or rigid, which is to be expected.

It can handle most situations and has no problem having your dog onboard.

DECK PAD

Chasing Blue Ace Sport comes with a quite long lined grooves deck pad that feels comfortable and has a decent grip.

FINS

The board comes with a set of three plastic fins (two side fins and a large one in the center) that can be easily attached and removed.

ACTION MOUNT

Three action mounts are included in this board kit so you can attach a GoPro camera or a fishing rod holder. They are not pre-installed, so you can place them anywhere you prefer on your board.

CARRY HANDLES

There are three carry handles on the Chasing Blue Ace Sport, one at the middle, one at the nose, and one at the rear end.

The center carry handle has enough paddling to be extra comfortable in the hand.

ACCESSORIES

PUMP

The Chasing Blue Ace Sport comes with a dual-action hand pump that is capable of inflating the board to its recommended PSI in less than 8 minutes. The pump also has a built-in pressure gauge so you can keep an eye on the pressure while inflating.

Speaking of air pressure, a great feature that many paddle board does not have, even in higher price ranges, is the board's ability to automatically release air when the pressure is over 15 PSI.

PADDLE

The paddle that comes with the Chasing Blue Ace Sport is a carbon shaft paddle that is adjustable to accommodate different rider heights.

Compared to fiberglass or aluminum paddles often included in competitor SUP packages, this paddle is much lighter.

Another great feature that I liked is that it can float, so if you drop it in the water, it gives you a chance to recover it before it sinks.

BACKPACK

The backpack that the Chasing Blue Ace Sport comes with is top-notch.

First of all, it has wheels so you can roll it behind you like a suitcase, which is great if you have to walk on a hard floor like in parking.

It also has three-side opening zips so you can easily get the board in and out of the bag.

The backpack is also insulated to keep your paddle board cool and has padded shoulder straps and a waist clip for comfortable carrying.

LEASH

The Chasing Blue Solar Spirit comes with a coiled leash that is perfect for SUPing in calm waters. The leash attaches to your ankle and has a Velcro strap for adjustability.

The coiled design prevents the leash from dragging in the water and getting tangled.

How To Choose The Best Paddle Board For Dogs

PADDLEBOARD TYPE

All-around boards are what I recommend, which are good for flat water. These boards are often used for recreational purposes.

You'll see people on all-around boards doing fitness moves on them, fishing off of them, and even taking their dogs out for a paddle.

They come in different sizes but are generally around 10 feet long and 32-34 inches wide. All-around paddleboards are the most versatile and can be used for a variety of activities.

WEIGHT CAPACITY

The next thing you'll want to consider is the weight capacity of the paddle board. This is important because you'll want to make sure the board can support you, your dog and the weight of any other thing you will bring with you.

Most all-around boards have a weight capacity of around 300 pounds. However, there are some boards that are designed specifically for dogs and have a weight capacity of 500 pounds or more.

DECK PAD

The deck pad is the material on the top of the board that you and your dog will be standing on. It's important to choose a material that will provide good traction for your dog so they don't slip and fall off the board.

EVA foam is a common material used for deck pads because it's durable and has a good grip. You'll also want to make sure the deck pad is comfortable for your dog to stand on for long periods of time.

FINS

Fins are what help you steer the paddle board and keep it stable in the water. Most all-around paddle boards come with three fins, but there are some that come with only two.

The third fin is called a center fin and is located in the middle of the board. Often, it is removable, which makes it easier to transport the board, but it also helps to provide even more stability when paddling.

HULL SHAPE

The hull is the bottom of the paddle board and it's important to choose a board with a hull shape that will provide good stability in the water.

All-around paddle boards usually have a planing hull, which is good for flat water.

ACCESSORIES-PFD FOR BOTH OF YOU

A PFD, or personal flotation device, is a must-have when paddling with your dog. You'll want to make sure you choose a PFD that fits you and another one for your dog.

There are some PFDs designed specifically for dogs and have features like a handle on the back so you can easily grab your dog if they fall off the board.

-LEASH

It's also a good idea to have a leash for your dog when paddling. This will help to keep them close to you and prevent them from getting lost in the water.

-BLANKET OR TOWEL

Finally, you'll want to bring a blanket or towel for your dog to sit on. This will help to keep them comfortable and protect your inflatable paddle board from dog nails.

-SUNSCREEN

You need to apply sunscreen while paddle boarding, even on cloudy days. The sun's UV rays can reflect off the water and cause sunburn.

Just like you need sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun, your dog needs it too! Dog sunscreen is specially formulated to be safe for dogs and will help to protect their skin from the sun's harmful rays.

-DOG TREATS

Don't forget to bring along some treats for your dog! They'll likely be excited and have a lot of fun paddling around, so it's a good idea to reward them with a treat.

FAQ

How To Introduce Your Dog To The Board?

- GET FAMILIAR WITH YOUR PADDLE BOARD FIRST

Before taking your dog out on the paddle board, it's a good idea to get familiar with the board yourself. This will help you to feel more comfortable and confident when paddling with your dog.

Practice paddling in calm waters and get a feel for how the board moves. Once you're comfortable, you can start to introduce your dog to the board.

- LET YOUR DOG SMELL AND EXPLORE THE BOARD

Start by letting your dog smell and explore the board. Let him get used to the idea of the board before trying to get him on it.

- TEACH YOUR DOG OBEDIENCE COMMANDS

It's important to teach your dog some basic obedience commands before taking him out on the paddle board. This will help you to control him while on the board and keep both of you safe.

Some obedience commands you'll want to teach your dog include "sit", "stay", "come", and "heel".

- START WITH SHORT PADDLING TRIPS

When you're first starting out, it's a good idea to keep the paddling trips short. This will help your dog to get used to being on the board and avoid getting too tired.

As your dog gets more comfortable, you can start to paddle for longer periods of time.

- INTRODUCE YOUR DOG TO THE BOARD ON THE GROUND FIRST

Before getting on the water, it's a good idea to introduce your dog to the board on land first.

Let him get used to the feel of the board under his feet and help him to understand that it's stable. You can even put a blanket or towel on the board to make it more comfortable for him.

- TEACH YOUR DOG TO JUMP OFF ONLY ON COMMAND

It's important to teach your dog that he should only jump off the paddle board when you give the command. This will help to keep him safe and prevent him from accidentally jumping off.

- GET YOUR DOG USED TO THE LIFE JACKET

It's important that your dog wears a PFD when paddling. You'll want to make sure that he's comfortable wearing it before taking him out on the water.

- ENCOURAGE YOUR DOG TO EXPLORE THE BOARD

Once your dog is on the board, encourage him to explore and get comfortable. Let him move around and get used to the feeling of being on the board.

- START PADDLING IN CALM WATERS

When you're ready, start paddling in calm waters. Let your dog get used to the sensation of moving on the water.

If he seems scared or uncomfortable, you can try paddling in shallow water so he can touch the bottom.

How To Prepare Your Dog?

- ENSURE HE IS COMFORTABLE SWIMMING

The first and most important thing you need to do is ensure that your dog is comfortable swimming. This is absolutely essential before taking him out on the paddle board.

You'll want to make sure that he knows how to get back to the paddle board if he falls off. You can practice this by paddling in shallow water and having him swim to the board.

- TRIM HIS NAILS

Another important thing to do is trim your dog's nails. This will help to prevent him from slipping on the board, avoid damaging your own board, and make paddling safer for both of you.

- BRING TREATS OUT ON YOUR ADVENTURE

One way to make paddle boarding with your dog more enjoyable is to bring along some treats. This will help to keep him motivated and distracted from any fears he may have.

- TIRE HIM OUT BEFOREHAND

If you want your dog to be calm and relaxed on the paddle board, it's a good idea to tire him out beforehand. A tired dog is a good dog! You can do this by taking him for a long walk or playing fetch with him before your paddle boarding adventure.

How To Paddle Board With A Dog?

- BRING WATER FOR BOTH OF YOU

It's important to stay hydrated when paddle boarding, and that goes for your dog as well. Make sure to bring along enough water for both of you to stay hydrated during your adventure.

- WEAR A LIFE JACKET

You should always wear a life jacket when paddle boarding, and that goes for your dog as well. Make sure his life jacket fits properly and is comfortable for him to wear.

- MAKE YOUR DOG KNOW FIRST THAT IT IS A FUN ACTIVITY

The thing that you have to do in order to make your dog know that it is safe and fun is to smile for him while you are doing it, not be tense, and act naturally as if you were playing with your dog in the park. If your dog sees that you are enjoying it, he will too.

- START ON YOUR KNEES FOR BETTER STABILITY

For your first few times out, start on your knees instead of standing up. This will help you maintain your balance and avoid tipping over.

- MAKE SURE TO NOT HIT HIM WITH YOUR PADDLE

This is a common mistake that people make when they are first starting out. They get too excited and hit their dog with the paddle. This can obviously scare your dog and make him not want to go near the paddle board again or jump off to the water.

- AVOID CROWDED PLACES THE FIRST TIME PADDLING WITH YOUR DOG

The last thing you want is for your dog to get scared and jump off the paddle board into deep water where he might drown. Choose a quiet place with not too many people or obstacles around to paddle with your dog for the first time.

- ALWAYS HELP HIM GET BACK ON THE BOARD

After your dog jumps off the paddle board, always help him back on. This way he knows that it is safe to get back on and that you will help him.

- PRAISE HIM FOR BEING A GOOD DOG

After each session, make sure to praise your dog for being a good boy and staying on the paddle board. This will reinforce the positive behavior and make your dog want to do it again.

Thanks for reading! We hope you found this article helpful. If you’re interested in learning more about paddle boarding, or just want to connect with other SUP enthusiasts, be sure to join our Facebook group. We’d love to have you!

See y’all.