What You Need to Know About Caring for Your Inflatable SUP

Buying an inflatable SUP for your investment is a resolution that you can enjoy for many years.  Proper care and maintenance will have a positive effect on the life of the inflatable stand-up paddle board and will check that it works as far as it can. To keep your paddle board in the best condition,  the following are the essential things you have to do.

Rinse After Every Use: After every use, you should rinse your board with fresh water to remove any substances that deteriorate its materials. Sand salt and other debris can be quickly removed with a short hose, keeping filth from embedding and leaving ugly stains. 

It's a good idea to rinse and clean your accessories after hose-out. If your paddle is movable, disassemble it and clean every part. This will free the dirt and sand from the moving parts and joints and stop them from binding.  To keep them odor-free and clean, rinse water shoes, dry bags, and other accessories.

Give It A Good Scrub: Not all dirt will be removed by a straightforward rinsing.  Regular cleaning with soapy water can keep your board looking fantastic and prolong its life. Just a tiny bit of dish soap and some warm water are plenty for simple cleaning. 

Although you can clean your board with almost anything, a sponge, towel, or scrub brush using the proper equipment can facilitate and improve the process.  We have discovered that using a soft-to-medium bristle brush attached to a broom handle is the most efficient and comfortable way to scrub a board.  Compared to using a handheld brush, standing up allows you to scrub with greater pressure and less physical strain on your body. 

Nobody wants to hear this, yet particular dirt or marks are permanent. Although almost all of a paddle board's components are non-porous, materials that come into contact with EVA and PVC may undergo chemical reactions that result in surface layer discoloration.

The answer is to realize that, even with meticulous and careful maintenance, paddle boarding is an outdoor sport and that, as such, your board, paddles, and equipment will inevitably accumulate dirt, wear, and surface markings from your travels.

Limit Direct Sun Exposure: The sun's ultraviolet rays can create a number of problems that affect the life of your board. Intense heat can cause materials to wear or soften, glue joints might deteriorate, and printed graphics on the board surface and deck pad dyes may fade.  To protect the deck pad and other parts, store the board in the shade or face down when it's not in use. It is best to store it inside, but if you must store it outside, pick a spot that is shaded and weatherproof. You won't have any significant problems with UV exposure while paddle boarding on the water. While in use, the board stays cool because of its movement, direction changes, and contact with the water.

Roll with Care: For storage and travel, inflatable SUPs are made to be folded up or rolled up. Don't roll the board too tightly or fold it in places where parts like fins, valves, and other attachments aren't supposed to flex in order to prevent overstressing the materials. It is best practice to follow the precise directions for your board, if available, as most boards are made to be folded in a specific way or sequence.

Store in a Safe Location: Choose a rodent-free, dry, clean, and temperature-controlled area for storage. If there is no chance that the board will be dragged or relocated, a garage may work well. For increased convenience and security, think about wall mounting the board with kayak arms or suspending it from rafters. When kept in a somewhat warm climate, an inflatable paddle board can be stored safely both rolled and inflated.

Never Use An Air Compressor: You should never use an air compressor to inflate your blow-up paddle board. Leaks can readily occur from an air compressor overinflating your board.  To avoid forcing too much air into the PVC material, you should irrigate your board using a hand pump or an electric pump. Although the hand pump that comes with your board works best for inflating it, you can use an electric pump made specifically for stand-up paddleboards. These air compressors inflate your board faster than those found in big-box stores and won't overinflate it.

Avoid Dragging Your Inflatable Sup: Superior inflatable boards are engineered to possess greater durability compared to their hardboard equivalents, hence reducing their vulnerability to harm from careless drops or collisions.  Nevertheless, inflatable paddle boards present a particular risk of abrasion.  If you drag your board across uneven surfaces, such as cement or concrete, the materials may get worn down and must be repaired. When transporting a board, always lift it entirely off the ground using the carrying handle to prevent abrasion damage.  Avoid standing a defeated, rolled-up board on its rolled edges when handling it, as even tiny movements against uneven surfaces can severely harm the folded portions. Make sure to lay the rolled board flat and shift it if you are forced to place it on a rough surface.

Conclusion

To extend its life and guarantee that you have fun paddling for many years to come, proper upkeep and care are essential for your inflatable SUP. Your purchase of a high-quality inflatable paddle board will continue to function at its best and hold its worth if you prevent abrasion, clean and rinse it frequently, limit exposure to unneeded UV rays, and store it properly. Buy SUP inflatable boards from Aquaride right now to enjoy the flexibility of paddling whenever and however you choose. Our dedication to excellence, functionality, and ecological sustainability ensures that you are getting a paddle board that will improve your future travels. 

Back to blog

Leave a comment