1. Inflatable PFD Belt. Give the gift of safety. Not to mention PFDs are required by the USCG and should be worn if outside the surf zone. Even experienced paddle boarders need a PFD. There are a number inflatable PFD belts on the market designed for paddle boarding. My favorites are the ONYX M-16, MTI Adventurewear Fluid 2.0 and the Revere Survival ComfortMax belt. 2. SUP Leash. Along the same lines of safety, this is more of a stocking-stuffer. Get a straight leash for padd

Looking for a place to paddle board on a day trip, long weekend, or week long vacation? Amelia Island can offer you something unique each time you paddle during your stay. Albeit small in size, the island is surprisingly diverse and contains an abundance of wildlife, historic landmarks, uncrowded surf breaks and scenic vistas all making Amelia Island a true SUP destination. I will be sharing a few of the best places to explore on a SUP in this series – Amazing Paddles on Ame

With temperatures in the mid 90s and humidity near 100%, summers can be brutal. Being on the water is the best place to be for sure. The wind coming off the ocean makes for a cool and refreshing breeze along the shore. At the same time these conditions serve as a breeding ground for afternoon thunderstorms. Some of these thunder storms can generate some nasty winds and lightning. I have seen conditions go from a light southeast breeze to a 20 mph west wind and major chop. And

I profoundly love being in and on the water. Whether it be kite surfing, paddle surfing, or freediving, I tend to find a way to be on the water regardless of the weather. Rather, the weather dictates what I will be doing on the water. And, even though it never does it justice I usually document my sessions with my GoPro or iPhone. I do this because next to actually being on the water I enjoy watching and reminiscing about my sessions. Yes, it should be clear by now I am truly

Anyone who spends time outside knows Mother Nature has a way of humbling even the most experienced waterman. In an odd way, I think it is one of the things that attracts us to the great outdoors. The key is to minimize the damage by being prepared. Filing a float plan is a great way to ensure a prompt and efficient rescue should your SUP session turn into a nightmare. I have been experimenting with two iPhone apps for filing float plans - the ACA's Paddle Ready and the USCG'