Pumping up your inflatable paddleboard can be hard work, there’s no two ways about it. It’s one of the small penalties for having a 10ft plus board that doesn’t take up all the space in your garage or shed, can still fit in the boot of your car and that you can carry on your back to launch at spots that may otherwise have been very difficult to access. Trust us, the advantages of an inflatable SUP over a hard board are very much worth the effort of pumping.
There’s no single answer for how long it’s going to take to fully inflate your SUP. There are many factors that can influence this.
Inflatable paddleboard size matters
The bigger your SUP, the longer it will take to pump as more air is needed to fill it. When thinking about the time needed to pump, the key consideration is the board’s volume.
Given that length is the most common way to distinguish between paddle boards, it’s easy to think it is all-important. However, thickness and width are also key. It’s these three dimensions which determine board volume.
For example, our Inviato and Sport Air inflatable boards are both 10’6” in length. However, whereas the Inviato is 35” wide, the Sport Air is 33” wide. The extra width of the Inviato means increased volume. As a result, it will take more time to inflate.
Pumping your iSUP to a higher pressure rating takes longer
Some SUPs have different pressure ratings. However, it’s not always necessary to pressurize to the absolute limit to get great performance.
Currently, Two Bare Feet boards are rated up to 18psi. However, we recommend that you inflate to anywhere between 15–18psi. If you’re strapped for time and just can’t wait to get out on the water, or you want to save your arm strength for paddling, 15psi will work.
It’s not always necessary to pump to the maximum recommendation. A difference of 3psi may sound small. However, it can actually save quite a lot of time and effort. At higher pressures, you’ll find that pumping becomes increasingly difficult as you force more air into the chamber. Pump strokes will require more effort, and your pumping rhythm will be reduced.
SUP hand pumping technique
Pumping your inflatable paddle board may seem like a straightforward task, but there’s something to be said for proper technique to get the job done efficiently.
At lower pressure levels, when you’ve just started pumping, take advantage of the double-action feature of the Bravo 4 hand pump provided with your Two Bare Feet SUP package.
‘Double action’ means you’ll be pumping on the upstroke and downstroke, increasing the speed of inflation.
The best technique for pumping involves keeping your back straight so as not to cause any strain, and bending your knees as you press down on the handle so that you are using your body weight to compress the pump. Try to find a steady rhythm that you can maintain for a longer period.
At some point during inflation, depending on your strength and fitness, you’ll find that double action pumping becomes difficult. This is when you want to switch over to single action so you are only pumping on the downstroke. This is usually done as you reach the higher pressures, as more force is required to pressurize the board.
Make sure the valve is not in the open position when attaching the hose!
You’ve just worked up a sweat getting your board inflated, and you’re excited to hit the water. But when you try to unscrew the hose, you’re met with blast of pressurized air to the face. In seconds, nearly all your hard work is undone.
Don’t be that paddler! Double check that the valve button is in the closed (up) position before you start pumping.
SUP pump type: hand or electric?
The type of pump you use to inflate your iSUP can make all the difference. The Bravo 4 hand pump included with Two Bare Feet SUP packages is designed for purpose. Thanks to its single- and double-action settings, inflating your paddleboard is relatively simple and quick.
Electric inflatable paddleboard pumps
Electric SUP pumps make life even easier. Available in 16psi and 20psi variants, they can be hooked up to the 12v socket in your car before letting them do all the hard work.
Inflation time will vary based on the same factors that affect manual SUP pumping. We’ve found that the 20psi pump will fully inflate a 10’10”x 33” x 6” paddleboard in around 13 minutes.
You may or may not be able to pump the board faster manually, if you’re fit and full of energy. Either way, this time can still be useful for prepping the rest of your gear, or getting into your wetsuit. You’ll be saving your strength for the water instead.
For further inflatable paddleboards tips, tricks and advice, head over to our SUP blog. Or, if you have a specific question you need answering, feel free to contact our customer service team on sales@twobarefeet.co.uk or 01803 554 695.
