The elastic bungee cords on the nose of a paddle board are a built-in cargo net: they hold your gear on deck so it rides with you instead of sliding off. They run across a set of D-rings near the front of the board, and you tuck items under them so your hands stay free to paddle.
They are made for the things you want on hand but off your body. A dry bag with your phone, keys, and a layer. A water bottle. A packable jacket. A small first-aid kit. On a longer paddle you might stow lunch or a light change of clothes there too. The idea is simple: keep the weight low and centered on the deck, and keep it from bouncing off when you hit a wake or a wave.
A few habits make the bungees work better. Push heavier items toward the middle of the board rather than right at the tip, so the nose does not dig in. Cinch things down snugly, because a loose load shifts around and throws off your balance. And remember that the bungees hold gear in place, they do not keep it dry, so anything that cannot get wet needs to go inside a waterproof bag first.
That last part is the one people learn the hard way. Water splashes over the deck constantly, so a phone or a spare layer tucked bare under the bungees will get soaked. A roll-top dry bag solves it: seal your gear, clip or slide it under the cords, and it stays dry even if the deck is awash. The NIXY 10L Waterproof Dry Bag ($29) is a good size for a phone, keys, and a layer, and it tucks neatly under a front bungee.
New to loading up a board? Our step-by-step guide to paddle boarding covers balance and setup, which is exactly what a well-packed deck helps you keep.
Frequently asked questions
What do you put under the bungee cords on a paddle board? Gear you want on hand but off your body: a dry bag with your phone and keys, a water bottle, a packable jacket, a small first-aid kit, and on longer paddles, lunch or a change of clothes. Keep heavier items toward the middle of the board and cinch everything down snugly.
Do the bungee cords keep gear dry? No. The bungees only hold gear in place on the deck. Water splashes over the board constantly, so anything that cannot get wet needs to go inside a waterproof dry bag first, then tuck the sealed bag under the cords.
Where are the bungee cords located on a paddle board? Most boards have them across the nose, running between D-rings near the front. Some boards add a second set near the tail. Loading the front keeps the weight ahead of you and out of your paddle stroke.
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