Make Your GoPro Float Tips
How I keep my GoPro safe when Paddle Boarding
I once lost my GoPro on the first day of a paddle board camping trip. That sucked. I resolved to never allow it to happen again. So these are the steps I now take around the water to keep my GoPro safe.
My GoPro fell into the lake in slow motion.
It slowly disappeared in the murky water never to be seen again…
How I Keep My GoPro Safe When Paddle Boarding
Disclosure
Products I use are purchased with my own funds. I am under no obligation to review any product. This site expresses my own independent opinion.
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1. Floatex Floaty Case
A simple solution to making your GoPro float is using a floaty housing. I chose the Floatex Floaty Case. Like most floaties it is made of EVA foam. This will easily float your GoPro and will even float a GoPro and head strap. However it will not float a GoPro with jaws or any small non-floating tripod or non-floating selfie stick.
Here is the floaty I use on Amazon. (it fits my GoPro 7 perfectly)
Using a head strap was how I lost my first GoPro. It was around my baseball cap and I forgot I was wearing a GoPro on my head. It is still painful to think about my GoPro falling off my head and disappearing into the water. It could have been saved if I was using a floaty. Let’s move on.
How to install a GoPro 7 into the Floatex floaty housing
2. Smatree F1 Hand Grip
Next I bought a hand grip that floats. I decided on the 8 1/2″ long Smatree F1 Hand Grip. The Smatree is waterproof, floats and is lightweight. It is made from carbon fiber and weighs about 3 ounces.
The Smatree has a 1/4″ screw hole on the bottom. So with an adapter I can mount the hand grip anywhere I can mount my GoPro. Mounted on my paddle board the hand grip gives me an 8 1/2″ extension.
See this floating hand grip on Amazon here.
3. 1/4-20 Screw Adapter
The 1/4″ screw adapter does not come with the Smatree hand grip. You need to buy one separately.
I bought the 1/4-20 Screw Adapter on Amazon and you can see it here.
4. 360 Degree GoPro Rotating Swivel Mount
Let’s talk about my GoPro mount. I have added a 360 Degree Rotating Swivel Adapter to my GoPro mount. With a standard GoPro mount your camera will be facing directly forward or directly backward. With this rotating mount I can choose any side angle that I like. This swivel mount adds variety to my videos and I use it all the time.
Great accessory and you can see it here on Amazon.
Tethering Your GoPro
I also now tether my GoPro to my paddle board. Once I am out paddling I don’t want to worry about my GoPro. Tethering gives me extra security and confidence.
My GoPro mount is fixed to my inflatable paddle board with 3m adhesive. I have never had the adhesive break free on multiple inflatable paddle boards. Still adhesive can fail. So for peace of mind I tether my GoPro to my board.
5. Stainless Steel Waterproof Security Tether
This is the first tether I tried and it works fine. It is stainless steel wrapped in plastic. So it is waterproof and rustproof. You can find them in different lengths. Better a bit long than short. Here is a good option for a tether on Amazon.com.
I use small velcro straps through the loops and attach one end to a D-ring on my paddle board. Then I wrap the velcro through the other loop and around my 360 rotating GoPro mount. Right here on Amazon are the velcro fasteners I use. You don’t need the velcro straps but they make the set up a bit quicker for me.
6. Paddle Leash
Lately I have been using a paddle leash to secure my GoPro. With a clip on one end for a D-ring. And velco on the other end for my GoPro. (Wrapped around my 360 degree rotating GoPro mount.)
I also use the paddle leash to secure a tripod I like to keep on the deck of my board. It also works fine for a fishing rod. A paddle leash is good for any gear that could fall off your board. I have a bunch of paddle leashes and they come in handy on long tours or SUP camping.
Here is the paddle leash I use on Amazon.
