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Paddling with a dog or a child: how big a board you need
Updated
Add them to your own weight, then size the board for the total. A 200 pound adult with a 60 pound dog is 260 pounds, so look for a max load of at least 325 pounds, or 371 for roomy. iROCKER, a board maker, says to aim for the top of its volume range when you carry a dog, a cooler or extra gear.
The math for two common setups
| Board | Max load used | Paddles well with | Adult 200 + dog 60 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skatinger 11 ft 6 | 450 | 315 to 360 | roomy |
| Roc 10 ft 6 | 350 | 245 to 280 | tight |
| Tower 10 ft 4 | 330 | 231 to 264 | tight |
| Aqua Plus 11 ft | 328 | 230 to 262 | tight |
| SereneLife 10 ft 6 | 275 | 193 to 220 | too small |
| Retrospec Weekender | 275 | 193 to 220 | too small |
For a 170 pound parent with a 55 pound child, 225 pounds in total, the roomy picks are Skatinger 11 ft 6, Roc 10 ft 6, Tower 10 ft 4 and Aqua Plus 11 ft. Tight: none. Too small: SereneLife 10 ft 6 and Retrospec Weekender. Put your own numbers in the weight checker.
Which picks fit
- The Skatinger 11 ft 6 has the most room, a 450 pound max load and 35 inches of width. Owners say it carries a full-size dog or two people. The caveat: it is wide, so it is slower and harder to paddle.
- The Roc 10 ft 6 works for a lighter adult with a small dog. Roc's FAQ says its boards suit dogs. The caveat: the listing text does not name the leash or pump.
- Skip the SereneLife and Retrospec for this. Their 275 pound max loads leave about 220 pounds for everyone combined. One SereneLife owner does say an 80 pound dog could climb on and off.
Life jackets for kids and dogs
- The US Coast Guard says children under 13 must wear an approved wearable life jacket on a vessel that is underway, unless a state rule sets a different age. Outside a swimming or surfing area, a paddle board is a vessel.
- Inflatable life jackets are generally meant for people over 80 pounds, and do not count toward the rule for anyone 16 or younger. Put a child in a foam life jacket that fits.
- For a dog, we would use a dog life jacket with a handle on the back, so you can lift the dog back on.
Setup tips
- Put the dog or child in front of you, near the middle of the board, and keep your weight centered.
- iROCKER's max load counts rider, gear, paddle and board together. A cooler and a dog bed count too.
- Practice near shore in calm, shallow water first.
More on the life jacket rule: life jacket rules. All six boards: the roundup.