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What equipment is provided on a Rapid Skills SUP Expedition?
- Joshua Telling
- Jul 7
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 9
One of the questions we get asked the most is "what kit do I actually need to bring?" The honest answer is: not much! When you book onto any of our SUP expeditions, adventures, or coaching sessions, we kit you out with top-of-the-line equipment designed to keep you safe, comfortable, and paddling further with less effort. Here's a full rundown of what you'll find waiting for you.
Stand Up Paddle Boards: McConks 12.8
Every expedition starts with the right board, and for touring we've settled on the McConks 12.8. It's the sweet spot between stability and load-carrying capacity, exactly what you need when you're covering distance with camping gear strapped to the deck. Whether you're new to multi-day paddling or a seasoned tourer, this board does the heavy lifting so you can focus on the scenery.
Paddles: McConks Full Carbon, Small Blade
We pair every board with a McConks full carbon paddle featuring a smaller blade. It might seem counterintuitive to choose a smaller blade, but when you're paddling all day with a loaded board beneath you, a smaller blade means less strain on your shoulders, back, and joints. Combined with the stiffness and low weight of full carbon construction, you get maximum efficiency with minimum fatigue, mile after mile.
Quick Release Belts and Leashes: Palm Equipment
Safety is never an afterthought, and our quick release belts are proof of that - we were actually involved in their design! They're fully adjustable so the quick release tab always sits at its shortest, safest length, giving you a fast and reliable release when it matters most. As a secondary release mechanism, they also feature velcro release points, so you've always got a backup.
Buoyancy Aids: Palm Equipment Peyto
The Peyto buoyancy aid has become something of a fan favourite on our trips, and it's easy to see why. Multiple pockets mean plenty of room for snacks (essential!), plus storage for your phone to capture the moments. There's also space in the back for a hydration bladder, making it easier for you to stay hydrated during long paddles. All of our buoyancy aids also comes fitted with a Fox 40 whistle, in case you ever need to raise the alarm.
Waterproof Jackets: Palm Vantage Cags
If there's one piece of kit that gets "borrowed" from us the most, it's the Palm Vantage Cag. It's consistently the most popular item we hand out. It’s so popular, in fact, that plenty of guests, go home and buy their own straight after a trip. Fully waterproof and built for hours on the water, it keeps you dry no matter what the weather throws at you.
Neoprene Leggings: Palm Quantum Pants
When conditions turn, (and on any good adventure, they eventually will!) the Palm Quantum Pants are there to keep your legs warm and protected from the elements. They're a simple addition that makes a huge difference to comfort when the temperature drops or the weather closes in.
Dry Bags: Palm 100L Trek and 20L Classic
Keeping your gear dry and organised is essential on any multi-day trip. Our Palm 100L Trek dry bag is a rucksack-style bag, perfect for carrying your full kit across portages or into camp at the end of a paddling day. For everything you need on the water, like spare layers, snacks and sun cream, the 20L Classic dry bag acts as your day bag - strapped to the board and close to hand
Tents: Vango Banshee 200
For overnight expeditions, we provide the Vango Banshee 200. It's an outer-pitch-first tent, which is a genuine lifesaver if you roll into camp in the rain, letting you get the fly sheet up before anything inside gets wet. It's small and light enough to carry easily, yet spacious enough for a comfortable night's sleep after a big day on the water.
Stoves: Alpkit Brew Kit
A hot drink at the end of a long paddling day isn't a luxury, it's part of the adventure. That's why every overnight expedition includes an Alpkit Brew Kit stove. Compact, lightweight and incredibly simple to use, it's perfect for boiling water quickly for tea, coffee, hot chocolate or a dehydrated meal after you've made camp. We love it because it packs down into a neat little package, takes up hardly any room in your dry bag, and is reliable enough to cope with the inevitable British weather. Whether you're watching the sunset with a brew in hand or getting breakfast on before another day on the water, it's one of those bits of kit that quickly becomes an expedition essential.
The Kit We Trust. The Adventures You'll Remember.
From the board beneath your feet to the tent over your head, every piece of equipment we provide has earned its place through real-world use. It's the kit we trust on our own adventures, chosen for its reliability, performance and ability to make life on the water that little bit easier.
We'll send you a simple packing list before your expedition, covering the few personal items you'll need to bring. Everything else is taken care of, removing as many barriers as possible so you can focus on the adventure ahead rather than buying specialist equipment.
As our expeditions evolve, so will our kit, and we're always looking for ways to improve what we provide. Our aim is simple: make it as easy as possible for you to experience incredible Stand Up Paddle Boarding adventures, whether it's your first multi-day trip or your tenth.
Ready to join us on your next SUP adventure?
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