Paddle Board Adventures for SIX: Our Favorite Family Gear Setup from BOTE

When you live full-time on the road with four kids, a dog, and a cat—space matters. But so does adventure. Three years ago, we really wanted a paddle board setup that could handle our family of six, pack down small, and actually last. That’s when we found BOTE, and honestly, we’ve never looked back.

We’ve explored springs, lakes, rivers, and oceans across the country with our BOTE gear, and it’s become one of the most-loved parts of our travels. It gives us a reason to get on the water and experience a place from a different perspective. We’re often asked what boards and accessories we use, so here’s the full breakdown of our setup (and why we love it).

Our Family’s BOTE Setup

Jim (Dad): HD Aero 11’6” Full Trax – Stable, tough, and easy to maneuver. It’s the go-to for hauling coolers and gear, and Hendrix (8) rides along up front.

Cara (Mom): HD Aero 11’6” Full Trax – Lightweight but sturdy. Plenty of room for gear and an extra passenger if needed..

Amaia (16): Wulf Aero 10'4” – A perfect mix of fun and function. Easy to carry and super beginner-friendly, even though she’s a pro now.

Beckett (13): HD Aero 11’6” Full Trax  – When Beckett hit a growth spurt we picked out this board for him. It’s both beautiful and functional!

Stellan (11): Flow Aero 8' – The perfect board for kids! Lightweight and super stable. 

The Extras That Make It All Work

We’ve added a few must-haves that make our paddle days even better:

Electric AeroPump Mini – This rechargeable pump is a total game changer. It makes inflating our boards fast and effortless—no more sweating it out before we even get on the water!

Kula 5-Gallon Coolers – We have two, and they double as seats, storage, and snack central.

Magnepod Bottles – These magnetic water bottles snap right onto the board so they don’t slide around or float away.

Adult Life Jacket

Youth Life Jacket

Highwater Hitchhiker XL – A waterproof bag that is great for organizing small essentials, such as your phone or keys, on the water.

Highwater Slingpack – Our go-to for dry storage and quick paddles when we don’t want to carry a full pack.

Aero SUP Paddle Seat – A cozy inflatable seat that straps to your board!

Everything fits neatly into the Yakima rooftop box on our tow car. Setup is fast, and breakdown is easy—which matters when you’re paddling with a family!

Why We Love Our BOTE Gear

We’ve been using our boards for three years, and they’ve been through everything—rocky shorelines, sandy beaches, salty water, you name it. They’ve held up better than we imagined. We also love that they’re inflatable, which means they pack small and travel well, but once they’re inflated, they feel solid and reliable.

Want to Try BOTE for Your Family?

We always recommend BOTE to other families who want reliable, easy-to-pack paddle boards that last. If you’re ready to hit the water, use our code “Hockings10” to save 10% at checkout (https://www.boteboard.com) — we think you’ll love it as much as we do!

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