How to Start a SUP Rental Business in 2025

Starting a stand-up paddle board (SUP) rental business can be a fulfilling way to earn income while sharing your love for outdoor adventure. Whether you’re looking to run a side hustle or launch a full-time venture, 2025 offers more tools and flexibility than ever. With the right approach, and a professional paddle-board rental website backed by smart SUP rental software, you can build a thriving SUP rental business from almost anywhere.

According to a 2023 report from the Future Market Insights online bookings already account for 60% of the short-term vacation rental market in 2024, with customers increasingly expecting real-time availability, seamless digital payments, and a smooth user experience. You can follow the steps below to take the guesswork and repetitive tasks out of starting your very own SUP rental business in 2025.

Choose the right gear and set-up

Every successful SUP rental business starts with high-quality, reliable gear. You’ll want to offer a variety of paddle boards that cater to different customers and activities:

• Inflatable paddle boards for first-time paddlers and easy transport

• Hard boards for experienced users looking for better speed and performance

• Extra-wide or tandem boards for families or group experiences

In addition to paddle boards, be sure to stock essential accessories:

• Life jackets (in multiple sizes)

• Adjustable paddles

• Safety leashes

• Waterproof dry bags

• Waterproof phone cases

When it comes to sourcing gear, quality should be your top priority. Start by researching online to compare trusted brands, reading customer reviews, and exploring retailers that specialize in water sports equipment. Reputable suppliers will provide detailed product specifications, durability guarantees, and often support bulk or business orders.

Look for vendors with strong customer feedback, warranties, and responsive service. Reliable gear not only protects your investment but ensures a safer, more enjoyable experience for your renters.

Choosing a mobile or fixed rental set-up

One of the biggest advantages of a SUP rental business is its flexibility. Many operators choose a mobile model, using a van or trailer to deliver paddleboards directly to launch sites, campsites, or even vacation rentals. This removes the need for a storefront and keeps your overhead low.

Many successful operators run mobile SUP rental businesses that deliver gear directly to lakes, rivers, beaches, or vacation homes. With the right vehicle and storage setup, you can skip the storefront and offer a more flexible, customer-friendly service.

Choose the right rental software

Trying to manage bookings manually with spreadsheets, emails, or shared calendars can quickly lead to missed opportunities and lost revenue. The key to running a smooth SUP rental business is having dedicated SUP rental software that keeps everything organized and customer-friendly.

Here’s what your SUP rental software should include:

• Online booking system so customers can reserve paddle boards directly from your SUP rental website

• Inventory tracking so you always know what items are available

• Digital contracts for rental waivers and signatures

• Mobile access for managing rentals while you’re on the move

• Flexible pricing options for hourly, daily, or custom pricing

• Integrated payment systems for seamless checkouts

• Customer profiles and history to help track loyalty

Booqable is one platform that checks all of these boxes. It is designed specifically for rental businesses and makes it simple to run your operation from one centralized dashboard.

From inventory management and real-time bookings to payments and marketing tools, Booqable’s SUP rental software helps you focus on growing your business, not juggling logistics.

Build a strong brand presence

Branding is more than just a logo. It is how people perceive your SUP rental business. A strong brand identity builds trust, communicates professionalism, and makes your SUP rental website stand out.

Follow these steps to create a polished brand:

• Choose a unique business name that reflects your style or location

• Register your business structure (LLC, sole proprietorship, etc.)

• Design a clean logo using AI tools or professional designers

• Purchase a custom domain for your SUP rental website

• Establish a consistent voice and look across all channels

Customers are more likely to book from a brand they recognize and feel confident in. A well-branded SUP rental business improves word-of-mouth marketing and builds long-term loyalty.

Track inventory with live availability

Proper inventory management is essential to running a smooth SUP rental business. Without clear oversight, it is easy to lose track of gear, overbook, or disappoint customers with last-minute changes.

• Real-time availability gives customers confidence to book immediately, prevents frustrating last-minute cancellations, and helps you better allocate your gear for busy weekends or group bookings. It also reduces administrative back-and-forth, allowing you to focus more on customer service and operations.

Modern inventory systems, like the one included with Booqable’s SUP rental software, make it easy to track your paddle boards and accessories with precision.

Here’s what to look for in an inventory system:

• Individual and bulk tracking for paddle boards and smaller items

• Product variations that allow customers to choose board size, color, or package

• Barcode and label support for quick check-ins and returns

• Live availability displayed directly on your SUP rental website

The more efficiently you manage your equipment, the more confident and professional your operation becomes, especially during busy summer weekends.

Set up competitive pricing

Your pricing strategy can impact both customer satisfaction and profitability. With flexible options in your SUP rental software, you can test and adjust prices to find the right balance. Consider these pricing models:

• Flat rates by the hour, day, or week

• Tiered pricing to encourage longer bookings

• Premium pricing for extras like delivery or paddleboard tours

• Seasonal rate changes for weekends, holidays, or peak months

• Refundable security deposits to reduce equipment loss or damage

Your SUP rental website should clearly list your pricing and include any extras, so customers understand what they’re getting. Booqable allows you to automate pricing structures, special offers, and security deposits, so you do not need to make manual changes each time.

Create a professional SUP rental website

A polished SUP rental website serves as your digital storefront. It is the first place potential customers will check when deciding where to book their next paddle board experience.

Here’s what makes a strong rental website:

• Clean, mobile-friendly layout

• Clear product listings with engaging images

• Live availability display and booking calendar

• Dynamic product pricing

• Online payment options

• SEO-friendly structure to attract local traffic

Booqable’s built-in SUP rental website builder lets you create a professional-looking site with no coding or design experience. You can also integrate Booqable’s booking tools into an existing site on WordPress, Shopify, Squarespace, and others. Either way, you will provide customers with a seamless booking experience and real-time updates.

Having a user-friendly SUP rental website not only increases trust but improves conversions, turning visitors into paying customers.

Promote your SUP rental business

Once your gear is ready and your SUP rental website is live, it is time to attract customers. Marketing does not have to be expensive to be effective. Focus on digital outreach and local partnerships.

Here are proven marketing strategies:

• Post regularly on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok

• Build partnerships with local tourism boards, campsites, and hotels

• Offer referral incentives and first-time renter discounts

• Collect and showcase customer testimonials

• Run Google Ads or invest in local SEO for your SUP rental website

Booqable simplifies these marketing efforts with built-in tools for:

• SEO-optimized product pages

• Promotional discounts and coupon tracking

• Customer tags and loyalty incentives

These tools help you drive bookings, retain returning customers, and grow your reputation in the community.

Start your SUP rental business today

Launching a SUP rental business in 2025 is more achievable than ever. With mobile setups, affordable gear options, and digital tools like Booqable, you can run a streamlined business that delights customers and grows sustainably.

Whether you are renting out a few boards on weekends or planning a full-scale SUP rental operation, success comes down to thoughtful preparation, strong branding, and smart tools. With the right SUP rental software like Booqable, a professional SUP rental website, and quality equipment, you will be set to offer unforgettable water experiences while running a business you love.

By Catrin Donnelly · Published June 10, 2025

Catrin is a rental software expert with a digital marketing background. She’s interviewed over 1,000 rental businesses to create insightful, actionable content.