The easiest way to attach a cup holder to a paddle board is to slide a bungee-mount holder under the cargo cords already on your deck: no drilling, no glue, no permanent mounts. Most inflatable paddle boards ship with a crisscrossed bungee storage area at the nose, and a bungee-mount cup holder uses it as an anchor. Slip the base under the cords, center it, and let the bungee tension hold it flat against the deck.
The reason this beats every other method is that an inflatable board does not want holes or hard mounts. Drilling is out for obvious reasons, and glued mounts are a commitment most paddlers regret the first time they want to reposition. The bungee approach borrows hardware your board already has, takes about ten seconds, and comes off just as fast when you want the deck clear.
Placement matters more than people expect. Put the holder where you can reach it from your normal stance or kneel without shifting your feet, usually at the front edge of the bungee area. Keep it off your stride line so you do not clip it when you step forward, and check that the cords sit snug over the base before you paddle out. Loose bungees are how drinks go swimming.
The Floatsup Cup Drink Holder ($19.95) installs under your existing bungee cords and fits a wide range of can and bottle sizes, so your drink stays upright through chop, wakes, and the occasional wobbly remount.
More than a drink holder
Once it is on the deck, the holder earns its keep as a catch-all. Sunscreen, a waterproof speaker, a rolled-up hat: anything you want within reach without opening a dry bag rides in it just as well as a drink. On a kayak, the same bungee trick works on any deck rigging.
Frequently asked questions
Do cup holders work on inflatable paddle boards?
Yes. Bungee-mount holders are made for exactly this. They use the cargo cords instead of screws or adhesive, so nothing touches the inflatable skin, and they come off in seconds when you want the deck clear.
Where should a cup holder go on a SUP?
At the front bungee storage area, within arm's reach of your stance and off your stride line. Centered is best for balance, and the cords should sit snug over the base.
Can you use a paddle board cup holder on a kayak?
Yes, anywhere you have deck rigging or bungee cords to slide it under. The mount works the same way on a kayak deck as it does on a SUP nose.
Building out the rest of your deck setup? Our top paddleboarding accessories roundup covers what else is worth carrying.
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