Tips to keep your paddle board in good shape and lasting a long time.
Here a a few tips to help keep the longevity of your paddle board. You can drive to and from the beach with your inflatable paddle board properly secured on your car, but not at high speeds. Some brands do not recommend that they are transported inflated at all on top of your car. Going a short distance to and from the is generally ok. Hard boards are fine as they don’t flex where a I-sup can lose pressure and it can possibly flip the front nose under high speeds! We have repaired the hard board that was underneath an inflatable that bent back under pressure and the fin went right through the hard board! Also the better quality the inflatable the higher the PSI and construction, so you should not have a problem, but never say never. Just check your pressure and make sure you have secured your board properly.
Do not to keep your board sitting on the beach or on top of your car in direct sunlight. It will last longer; the sun breaks down everything especially our hot Okanagan sun. Try and leave your board leaning on its side in the shade or cover it with something when at the beach and not in use during hot days.
Hot sunny days and cool nights can make your PSI (pressure) of your board fluctuate, so you might have to top it up occasionally. If you are driving up a mountain pass and your board is on your car, just like a bag of chips it will add extra pressure. Be mindful you will need to deflate slightly.
You can leave pumped up all summer, just check your PSI occasionally.
Do not leave the PUMP or your BOARD in your car with direct sunlight coming through windows when the doors are all locked. Keeping it covered away from the heat in the trunk is a good idea.
Fast Inflate without an E-Pump- if you are still at home-you can pump the board up with a shop vac you just have to keep the valve of the board open then quickly switch it closed and finish with the hand pump. (Remember to clean out your shop vac before blowing!)
Keep the valve area free of sand, pebbles and debris and make sure to put the dust cap on each time.
Electric pumps are slower and noisy, but they do work. (the average person can manually pump faster) Some companies say the warranty is Void if you use an electric pump so make sure you have an auto PSI shut off.
Always check to make sure your paddle board fin is on and secure, carry an extra screw and an extra fin. Especially if you are camping & touring you should keep the extras in a bag on your board while paddling. I have express mailed fins to Ontario for a customer that drove across in their RV but lost a fin halfway and couldn’t find a store to supply them with some.
Wash off after use when used in salty water, same for your paddle. Any metal will possibly get rusty if continued use in the ocean. When rolling up the board: push the valve pin open and start from the front nose and roll out the air. DO NOT ROLL or BEND THE FIN BOX! Then push the valve pin back up so it is closed and re-roll your board with fin box in right position. Start your roll or fold after the fin box careful not to bend that area. Use strap to keep together. In winter you can keep lightly folded or if you have a garage, you can keep inflated just don’t keep to max pressure.
If you have any questions, all the brand websites have excellent info and videos. You can YOUTUBE as well. You can call them or email they are awesome.
Wear your PFD (personal flotation device) it is the LAW in Canada. By law you must have a lifejacket on the board it is considered a vessel. It can be put under the bungee cord on the board if you have your ankle leash on. We sell a few different types. Mostly waist inflatable belt packs like Mustang Survival waist pack inflatables or Onyx brand we sell both $145-$160. If you do choose a waist pack inflatable PFD, it must be always worn on your waist with the pull string accessible to be legal. The inflatable PFD’s are not legal if stored under the bungee on the board.
Wear your Ankle Leash it will save your life and keep your board within reach. You are not COOL without one or without a PFD. No matter how good a swimmer you are, anything can happen, cramp, dizziness or heart attack. You won’t have the strength to swim to your board as your board will be just that much out of reach. LEASHES SAVE LIVES.
If you are in fast running water, you will need a quick release leash. Lakes and ocean you are usually fine with a regular ankle leash.
Buy better quality, buy from an independent local shop as they generally know what they are talking about and can also recommend the right size or type board for you.
Look after it and you won’t be buying twice as they say and not adding to the landfills! We have had people bring in boards not purchased from us looking to try and repair an inflatable seam, not usually possible if the construction is of low quality. Punctures are easier. But most of the ones we have seen are low or inferior quality i-sups they sadly go to the landfill.
Be nice to your board and it will give you so many wonderful experiences in return.