Inflatable paddle board fits in your crew space

We all have our questions when it comes to joining a new yacht. One in particular that we often wonder about is if we are able to use the yacht’s amenities. As crew members, we strive for that cool adventurous life in places people only dream of. To be able to use the yacht’s toys and recreational equipment makes it a better experience and more fun for the crew.

But, then, there are the strict yachts that don’t allow you to use anything onboard and you’re left on your own to find fun activities.

That’s okay though, because there are plenty of other ways to have fun out on the water.

If you can’t use the paddle-boards from the yacht,  go and buy an inflatable stand-up paddleboard (SUP)  kit and store it in your cabin. They do run around $500 to $1,000 depending on size and brand. Most kits come with the board, a collapsible paddle, hand pump, repair kit, and a carrying bag. Some places require you to have a lifejacket with you at all times. They make the manual inflatable lifejacket where they look like fanny packs and go around your waist. Safety first!

You may have seen plenty of SUP users out on the water, and you probably thought it does not take much to do. It actually requires a decent amount of effort to stay balanced the whole time, use your arms to paddle against tough currents (depending where you are), and your quads will burn. It is a killer workout and a ton of fun.

Melissa McMahon

The more waves and currents you are in, the more intense your paddling will be, obviously making you burn more calories. The main muscles it targets are your abs. Balancing involves your abdominal to always be engaged. I’m sure with all the delicious food we eat from our chefs onboard, we can all use a little ab workout to keep us fit and healthy. If you want to find a nice quiet spot to just cruise around that is fine as well. You can try yoga and do all sorts of different poses. It will allow you to fully focus on your poses because of the board leaning and/or moving.

Do you have too many long crazy work days? When you get off you can just sit on the board and relieve some of that heaviness that weighs on you. The ocean is known to mellow your mind, and help you de-stress. As yachties, we absolutely love the water so it’s a perfect way to get off that yacht and explore. Who knows, maybe you will see some beautiful wildlife underneath you. Make sure to bring a GoPro or any other type of waterproof camera, because you can get those most amazing pictures.

I’m sure all your friends and families back home will be in awe.

Melissa McMahon of Long Island, New York is a stew onboard a 230-foot motor-yacht, who loves to workout as she travels the world at sea.