A paddleboard and paddle carrying system that includes a modified paddle board with a longitudinally aligned paddle cavity on the paddleboard's top surface. The paddle cavity is configured to hold an elongated paddle in a flat configuration and flush or slightly below the top surface of the paddleboard. In one embodiment, the paddle is designed to snap fit into the paddle cavity and resist detachment. In one embodiment, the paddle cavity is formed directly into the paddleboard. In another embodiment, the paddle cavity is separately formed into an insert member that fits into a complimentary-shaped insert cavity longitudinally aligned and formed on the paddleboard body. In both embodiments, at least one wide hand grip cutout is formed on the paddleboard or on the insert member near the paddleboard's center of gravity enabling the user to extend his or her hand around the exposed section of the handle inside the paddle cavity and grip the handle and carry the paddleboard and paddle as a single unit under the user's arm.