10 Must-Have Gifts for the Boater in Your Life

1. Bocce Ball

Bocce Ball is THE classic camp game on the river. This isn’t your grandpa’s bocce game; think throwing over bushes, bouncing off rocks, and narrowly avoiding missing your buddy’s tent. It’s a delightful game of healthy competition and a great pastime for a nice afternoon at camp. A resin set (like this one made by GoSports) can withstand serious abuse, but if you are looking for a more lightweight option, GSI Outdoors has an “all-terrain” composite plastic version. 

Price: $39.99 for GoSports Resin, $36.95 for GSI Outdoors All-Terrain Bocce

2. Good Vibes Mesh Bag

Good Vibes is a small business based in Craig, Colorado (near the Yampa River). They specialize in handmade, one-of-a-kind, mesh accessories for rafters. Rafting mesh is a durable material that withstands the rigors of rafting trips and doesn’t trap sand. While I could recommend just about their whole catalog, these grocery bags are great for organization on the raft and carrying things back and forth to camp. For an upgrade, check out their zippered bags, which are great for storing wet layers without the funk of a non-breathable bag. You can specify colors for the mesh and straps, making this a fun and customizable gift.

Price: $45

3. L’il Suckers Drink Holder Ring

These clever little gizmos are designed to suction onto raft rubber, giving the rafter on your list a great way to secure their drink when they are busy rowing. They stretch easily, meaning they can hold not only cans, but also travel mugs, bottles, and more. They can also be paired with a foam drink holder to keep drinks cold. They come in lots of fun designs and multi-packs. Works for paddle boards, too! 

Price: from $9

4. Hat

 Hats are key not only for reigning in helmet hair at the takeout, but for sun protection and, of course, for fashion points. In addition, for flatwater or multi-day trips, boaters may not need a helmet every day. Personally, I like a baseball cap style. Many prefer a wide-brim hat, but I find I’m constantly getting my hat tangled with my sunglasses strap and lifejacket when I wear a bigger hat. My personal favorite is this lightweight and comfortable quick-dry 5-panel hat by Coal. It has a quick toggle adjustment to keep it tight when the wind kicks up and the brim floats in case it takes a dip. Available in lots of fun colors and the unisex sizing is adjustable (even for my tiny head). 

Bonus recommendation: Prefer the look of a wide-brimmed hat for the boater on your list? Check out this one from NRS.

Price: $40

5. Sun Shirt

Unless you’re practicing a kayak roll in the pool, paddlesports take place outdoors. Constant splashing can quickly wash away sunscreen, putting boaters at higher risk of sunburn and skin damage. This Columbia sun hoodie is my personal favorite. Not only is the material lightweight enough to keep you cool on hot days, the UPF 50 rating keeps you safe from harmful sun rays. The hood comfortably fits under a helmet and keeps your ears and neck protected, too. It’s designed for fishing, but works great for boating, hiking, climbing, and more. Sizes range from XS-3XL.

Price: $45

6. Theracane Massage Tool

This might be my aging body talking, but rowing and paddling tend to cause some serious sore muscles! The Theracane is a trigger point self-massage tool that allows you to target tight muscles directly, especially those hard-to-reach knots on your back and between your shoulder blades. There is no one more popular on a river trip than the person who breaks out a Theracane to pass around! If the person on your list cares about taking care of their body, are the chronically injured type, or both, this is the gift for them. Great for multi-day paddlers and day trippers alike.

Price: $34.99

7. Twin Gate Carabiners

Okay, this one is a little unusual, but hear me out. Carabiners have infinite uses on the river, including attaching items into the boat and as a key part of a boater’s safety and rescue equipment. Swiftwater professionals recommend using only UIAA certified (meaning suitable for weight-bearing and lifesaving applications) locking carabiners. Screwgate locking carabiners and magnetic locking carabiners, both of which are more common in the climbing world, tend to jam up with sand and degrade in wet environments. These Grivel twin-gate carabiners, however, maintain their locking functionality without jamming up. As a bonus, they are easy to operate with cold, wet, or gloved hands. 

Price: $14.99 each

8. Backpack Watercolor Kit

Is the boater on your list the artistic type? Most rivers are quintessentially beautiful environments, and a watercolor set is the perfect way to capture and remember the striking surroundings. This backpack-friendly kit is no-mess, including a brush with a fillable water reservoir. It includes everything your giftee needs in a compact set. This makes the perfect creative accompaniment to a river journal!

Price: $29.95

9. Fun Camp Lights

These NiteIze string lights (Nite Ize – Radiant StarLit Rechargeable Lantern + String Light Disc-O Tech) can really upgrade the ambiance of camp! The string lights wind up into an incorporated lantern and the 23 foot long string lights have different color settings for extra fun. The lantern has a hook and the string lights can be draped over tree branches, tents, or wherever you want to make the perfect dance floor. Versatile and USB chargeable. 

Price: $49.99 

10. Donation to American Whitewater 

What to get for the river runner who has everything? There’s no better gift than a contribution that supports continued access to the rivers they love. American Whitewater is a non-profit advocacy group whose mission is, “to protect and restore America’s whitewater rivers and to enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely.” You can donate on their website here.

Price: Any 

---