What to Wear to SUP Yoga: A Simple Clothing and Packing Guide for Stockholm
One of the most common questions I get before a class is what to wear to SUP yoga. It is a sensible thing to ask, because no one wants to stand on the shore feeling wrongly dressed. But the short answer is reassuring: you do not need any special gear. Clothes you can move in that can get wet will take you a long way. Here is the simple packing list, so you can turn up and just be on the water without having puzzled over your outfit beforehand.
The basic rule: movable and happy to get wet
Think of whatever you already practise yoga in, but that is allowed to get wet. That is the whole rule. A pair of leggings or shorts you can move freely in, and a top that stays put when you lean forward. Underneath, swimwear is a good idea, both if you fancy a dip and in case you fall in. Then you are already prepared, and it becomes more laughter than stress.
The fabric matters more than the brand. Choose something that dries quickly, so synthetic or the kind of activewear most yoga clothes are made from. Avoid cotton if you can, because cotton gets heavy and clingy when wet and stays cold for a long time. Light colours stay cool in the sun, dark ones heat up. But do not overthink it: if you have activewear and a swimsuit, you are set.
Dressing for weather and evening chill
Out on the water it is often a few degrees cooler than on land, especially in the mornings and evenings. What you want to avoid is getting cold during the rest at the end, once your body has wound down. The fix is simple: bring an extra layer.
Layers to bring
- –A warmer top, thin fleece or hoodie to pull on for the warm-up and the rest afterwards.
- –A dry change of clothes for after class, so you are not travelling home wet.
- –A light jacket if it is windy or looks like turning cool in the evening.
- –Sunscreen and a cap or sunglasses if it is sunny. The sun bounces up off the water and feels stronger than on land.
For your feet, bare is usually best on the board itself, as it gives the best feel and grip. Bring a pair of sandals or simple shoes for the walk to and from the shore. If it happens to be a properly cold day, get in touch beforehand and we can talk it through.
A simple packing list to save
- –Activewear you can move in, ideally swimwear underneath.
- –A dry change of clothes and a warmer top.
- –A towel and a water bottle.
- –Sunscreen, sunglasses or a cap if it is sunny.
- –Sandals or simple shoes for getting there and back.
What you do not need to bring matters just as much. No board, no paddle and no other equipment, that is all sorted on site. And you really do not need to buy anything new for your first time. Almost everyone already has what it takes in a drawer at home.
What you can stop worrying about
It is easy to turn your clothes into one more thing to perform, and that is exactly what I want to free you from. You do not need a matching yoga set, the latest bikini, or anything that looks good in a photo. You need clothes you forget about the moment you get out on the water. Come as you are, in what you feel comfortable in, and let the board and the lake take care of the rest.
- Activewear you can move in that can get wet, ideally swimwear underneath. Choose a fabric that dries quickly and avoid cotton. Bring a dry change of clothes and a warmer top for the rest at the end.
- Swimwear underneath is a good idea, both if you want a dip and in case you fall in. Then you are already prepared and it feels reassuring.
- It is often a few degrees cooler on the water than on land, especially morning and evening. Bring a warmer top and a light jacket so you do not get cold during the rest at the end.
- Bare feet are usually best on the board itself, for the best grip and feel. Bring sandals or simple shoes for the walk to and from the shore.
- No. The board, paddle and other equipment are provided on site. Most people already have what they need at home, so you do not need to buy anything new for your first time.
- Classes are taught in English. I am Australian and live in Stockholm, and I understand and speak some Swedish, so feel free to get in touch in whichever language feels comfortable.