NZD
How To Extend The Life Of Your Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board
How To Extend The Life Of Your Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board
Taking some practical steps in the day to day care of your Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board will not only extend the life of your board but will also save you from expensive repair bills. All Stand Up Paddle Boards, Inflatable or Epoxy, need to be taken care of. Treat them harshly and they will have a short unloved life, and more than likely end up in a landfill. So without further ado here’s our top five tips to extend the life of your Inflatable SUP Board.
- Clean Your Board Regularly
The majority of New Zealanders live within a short drive of the beach. With the main location of use of our Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards is the Ocean. With this in mind we suggest that you wash down your board with a small amount of biodegradable dish washing liquid. Ideally rinse your board first, then using a soft bristle brush gently wash the deck and bottom of your board. Finally rinse once more and allow board to dry out of the sun before you either pack away or store undercover. Cleaning will stop the growth of bacteria which will breakdown glue and the outer layer of the board.
During this process remember to remove your fin and rinse out the fin box area also. Rinse the fin and screw in freshwater and dry before putting away.
- Watch for Heat and Direct Sunlight over Extended Periods
The New Zealand Sun is one of the harshest in the World. Anything left to bake in the summer sun normally fades and breaks down rapidly. Inflatable Paddleboards are subject to the harmful rays of the Sun. Leaving your board on the front of your boat will half its lifespan, as will leaving it stored outside beside the Bach during the summer months. Ideally your board should be stored away out of direct sunlight. In a garage, gear locker or rolled up and put in its storage bag.
If at the beach on a warm sunny day, we advise that you lower the boards PSI level by at least 5-10 psi. As temperature increase and the air inside your boat heats it will expand. You will need to provide room for it to expand in to. An increase in pressure will result in a board putting increased strain of the seams of the board. This may cause the boards seam to split.
Some brands such as Red Paddle Co now offer a UV Bag that you can store your inflated board in for protection. Ideally it is suited for short stints on a boat or such like. It isn’t meant as long term solution.
- Be Aware of objects and depth when paddling
New Zealand has beautiful beaches often separated by rocky outcrops. These outcrops are prone to sharp shellfish and rock oysters, which can cause nicks and cuts. Give yourself some extra room when paddling around outcrops and exploring these amazing locations.
We also suggest being aware of the water depth as you near the shore. We advise dismounting the board at around knee deep. This will ensure that the fin and fin box doesn’t receive any damage.
- Take Care of the Valve
The Valve on an Inflatable SUP is one of the key parts to its ongoing life. When carrying or moving an Inflatable board be careful not to throw or drop your board heavily. As this may dislodge the valve slightly creating a slow leak.
If opening and inflating your board at the beach be careful not to allow sand or other debris to enter the valve, as small particles may become lodged in the valve area, again creating a slow leak.
The Valve also indicates the ideal PSI level to inflate your Inflatable Paddle Board to. Never go over the recommended pressure.
- Take Care When Rolling and Storing Away
If you need to deflate your Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board to transport or if it’s not going to be used for an extended period of time it may be good to roll and store in it’s bag. Firstly ensure the board has been dried and is not damp, especially with saltwater. If storing for an extended time it is important to wash and dry before storing.
Next loosely roll the board, a good idea is to roll the board around its pump, this will give you the ideal size we are looking for. If rolled too tightly, the seams do not have the flexibility to comfortably hold this diameter causing damage.
As you near the fins and fin boxes, depending on what your board has. Allow the fins to sit relatively flat on the outside of the roll. Don’t create a crease directly at either end of the fin as this will begin to pull the fin(s) away from the board or crack the fin box.
Following these 5 simple tips and being aware that your iSUP is not indestructible and that it does need to be treated with a certain amount of care will ensure that your Inflatable SUP Board will give you years of fun and enjoyment.