Anybody tried diving from paddleboard?

[Jessica Anderson]

Paddleboarding is getting bigger and bigger in South Florida. We have a couple also, in fact. I'm thinking that I could use my Navionics app to find a nice semi-protected spot with some decent relief and give diving from my paddleboard a shot.

Has anyone tried diving from a paddleboard?

 

[Tommy06]

Used a canoe at Tobermory, Ontario dive park years ago. We were taking the boat North to the cabin.
We put on our gear and paddled out then just rolled out of the canoe. We swam the boat back after the dive. We did have an anchor on the boat.

 

[Nemrod]

Yes, I have used a paddle board and quite successfully. But not all paddle boards are the same. The one I used was rotomolded and had bungee webbing on the tail/stern. It also had webbing up front on the bow area. I placed my aluminum 63 rigged on the stern and secured it with the bungee, partially inflated wing. My lifejacket up front on the bow and a mesh bag (lobster type) with my mask and fins. The one I used was similar in design to this, it may have even been this one:

No Limits™ Aries 12' Stand-Up Paddle Board | Academy

I paddles with a kayak type paddle from a kneeling position. That could be a balance issue for me since I am not but a beginner paddle boarder! Concerning the bungee, I would rather secure the SCUBA with two 1.5 inch straps with QR buckles. The bungee is not secure and is a PITA and the gear will spill from it should you capsize (and you probably will). I used a Pelican reel to stow my tow line and simply towed it behind me as I often do with my kayak, I did not anchor it.

Now, if I had to make a choice between a sot kayak (properly rigged) and a paddle board I am taking the yak but I see no reason that, depending upon the paddle board, construction and size, that you might be able to dive from it. This is the thing, way, way back, I had a dive board, surf ski. This was long before rotomolded kayaks or paddle boards. I used it for free diving and while it did not really have the capacity, more than once I SCUBA dived from it. I put my tank on, laid on my belly as was the style and paddled with my hands.

Good luck, hope it works for you.

N

 

[CuzzA]

Balance seems like the biggest issue. Perhaps you could throw some kind of float together to tow behind you. I'm thinking a pvc frame with pool noodles and a mesh net underneath to hold your gear with another secured mesh top to keep your gear from falling out if it were to tip. Although it would definitely add a lot of drag.

 

[raftingtigger]

Balance seems like the biggest issue. Perhaps you could throw some kind of float together to tow behind you. I'm thinking a pvc frame with pool noodles and a mesh net underneath to hold your gear with another secured mesh top to keep your gear from falling out if it were to tip.

Drag adds up fast. I would keep the gear on the paddleboard and kneel or use a seatback and paddle like a kayak.

 

[John C. Ratliff]

Years and years ago (like 1962), we used paddleboards a lot on the Oregon coast, free diving and spearfishing from them.

SeaRat

 

[Jessica Anderson]

Lots of good stuff. Thanks! I thought about dragging something too. I think if I leave the gear on the board I should probably strap it all together or something. I am not allll that great at preventing spills so I wouldn't want to lose a bunch of stuff.
Oregon coast! Yeesh! Cold! Neat stuff John!

 

[raftingtigger]

I should probably strap it all together or something. .... so I wouldn't want to lose a bunch of stuff.

Strap everything on, or at least tether it. Inflate the BC. A couple of glue on D-ring patches (like for a whitewater raft) or other anchor points is critical.

 

[Reku]

I hang my SM tanks from the back of my kayak into the water and paddle to my destination and then jump in and hook up the tanks it's much better then strapping them onto the back or front and they keep the kayak stable in large waves

 

[Compressor]

I don't think this is a practical solution. Too much gear and the paddle board are not compatible.