How Do You Attach a Phone to a Paddle Board?

The easiest way to attach a phone to a paddle board is a dedicated SUP phone mount that screws into an M8 action mount on the deck, so the phone locks in place and rotates for photos. Skip the armband and the pocket. A proper mount keeps the phone visible, secure, and out of the water.

Most inflatable boards have a threaded action mount, a small metal insert on the deck near the nose, built for exactly this. A phone holder with an M8 screw threads straight into it in seconds and holds firm while you paddle. From there you can tilt and rotate the phone to follow a map, track a workout, or film the paddle without stopping.

If your board does not have an action mount, you have two backup routes. A clamp-style mount grips a rail or D-ring, and a lanyard or waterproof pouch clipped to a bungee keeps the phone tethered even if it is not on a stand. The mount is the cleaner setup, but a tether is better than nothing.

One rule holds no matter how you mount it: put the phone in a waterproof case or pouch first. A mount stops the phone from falling. It does not stop splash, spray, or the swim you take when you least expect it. Case first, mount second.

The NIXY SUP and Kayak Phone Holder is the simple fix. It screws into any M8 action mount, rotates a full 360 degrees, and comes with two brackets that fit phones up to 3.5 inches and up to 7 inches wide, so it holds almost any phone in a case. At $14 it is the cheap piece of gear that saves an expensive one. Find it in the NIXY accessories collection.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the phone mount attach on a paddle board? To the action mount, a threaded metal insert on the deck, usually near the nose. A phone holder with an M8 screw threads directly into it. If your board has no action mount, a clamp or a tethered waterproof pouch is the backup.

Will a phone mount hold my phone in a waterproof case? Yes. A good mount has adjustable brackets, so it grips a phone with a case on. The NIXY holder fits phones up to 7 inches wide, which covers a large phone in a protective case.

Do I still need a waterproof case if I use a mount? Yes. A mount prevents drops, not water damage. Always put the phone in a waterproof case or pouch before you mount it, because spray and falls happen.

Can I use the same phone mount on a kayak? Yes. Any mount that fits an M8 action mount works on a kayak with the same fitting, which is why the NIXY holder is labeled for both SUP and kayak use.