While experienced paddlers will have complete faith in their favourite ride, those who are new to paddle boarding, or about to invest in their first paddleboard, may have some reservations about the robustness and reliability of an inflatable product. Should you be worried about punctures? Is it easy to damage an inflatable board you just dropped a fair amount of money on?
Inflatable SUPs are robust
The amount of iteration and innovation visible in SUP designs each year is an indication of how serious manufacturers are when it comes to board quality. If inflatable paddleboards were structurally unreliable, no-one would buy them. The flourishing market for iSUPs would not exist.
Inflatable SUPs can withstand use in a range of uncontrolled elements and environments. They are built to be used like a regular hard board.
While an iSUPs toughness and reliability is comparable, anything which would be bad for a hard paddleboard should generally also be avoided with an inflatable.
What should you not do with your inflatable SUP?
While it is unlikely any board you purchase will spontaneously burst or sustain a puncture, it is wise not to expose your board to potential puncturing hazards.
Do not drag your inflatable SUP over rough terrain
Lift and carry the board wherever possible, especially when crossing abrasive surfaces such as pebbles, flint, or sand. However, take care not to drop it while inflated. This has the potential to inflict damage if the force is too great. A hard board could crack this way; treat your iSUP with similar caution.
Ideally, inflate and deflate the board by the water’s edge. This will make transportation more convenient.
Avoid paddling near sharp objects
It sounds obvious, but remember that submerged terrain may present hidden dangers. Pay particular attention when paddling in shallow bodies of water, where the board may run into stray trash or rocks on the bottom of the sea, lake or river.
Areas known to contain sharp-bodied marine life, such as coral or oysters, should also be assessed before launching. These have the potential to scratch or gouge a board depending on the force applied.
The importance of mindfulness and maintenance
Inflate your SUP to the correct pressure rating
Rigidity is an important aspect of an iSUP’s ruggedness. A board inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI rating will be hard enough to repel most of the ordinary forces acting upon it, in and out of the water. The higher the PSI rating, the more rigid the board is likely to be.
However, inflating a board higher than the recommended PSI rating is not a good idea. If the internal pressure is too high, then like any other inflatable there will be a risk of a blowout.
Wash your board after use
This is particularly important when paddling in saltwater. Crystalised salt residue can weaken the board’s seams over time. This could eventually lead to a structural breach.
The flipside is that it must also be properly dried. If your inflatable paddleboard is put into long-term storage while wet, you run the risk of microbes deteriorating the board’s seams.
Minimise exposure to excessive heat
Matter tends to expand when heated. The same is true of air inside an inflatable paddleboard. While a SUP inflated to the recommended maximum PSI is unlikely to ‘pop’, it is good practice to keep a board out of prolonged contact with direct sunlight on hot days.
Releasing a little air through the valve before leaving the board to stand may also be a useful precaution.
Store your board carefully
Inflatable SUPs have a distinct advantage over hard boards in terms of storage space: just deflate, roll up (loosely) and pack away in a carry bag.
If you have the space, or want to save time on prep for your next ride, you may opt to keep your board fully or partially inflated at home. However, care must be exercised to avoid wear and tear.
- Do not stack anything on top of the board: this could result in pressure dings, skin fractures, localised structural weaknesses or even tiny punctures, depending on the objects and their weight.
- Store the board at a constant temperature: in other words, try not to keep your board outside or in an uninsulated space.
- Keep the board away from excessive humidity: this minimises the growth of bacteria, mold and other organisms that could cause the board’s seams to erode.
How does iSUP design assist board strength?
Drop stitch construction
The core air chamber of an inflatable SUP is formed using a technology known as drop stitch. It allows the board to be inflated into a rigid shape — the tensile strength between the chamber fabric laid by drop stitching is so high it can withstand significant internal and external pressures.
The ‘drop stitches’ themselves are a series of strong polyester threads sewn back and forth between two flat polyester fabric base layers. The threads, numbering in the thousands, are sewn by machines capable of applying hundreds of threads simultaneously.
Applying PVC layering
When the process is complete, the two fabric base layers form a single unit. A layer of liquid PVC is then applied over the surfaces. The sides are connected using a reinforced rail band made from PVC-coated fabric.
The process described applies to the most basic, ‘single skin’ budget boards on the market. While lightweight and affordable, they will theoretically be more ‘prone’ to puncture than boards constructed using more robust design methods.
Two Bare Feet’s rigid SUP designs
At Two Bare Feet we offer a range of boards made using a combination of manufacturing processes. Our designs provide some of the most rigid and durable rides available.
We believe time spent paddling is time well spent — so you should not have to worry about the integrity of your board while out on the water.
Laminate strips
Our high-quality single skin boards benefit from the addition of PVC laminate strips both deck side and underneath the board. Running from nose to tail, these strips provide a solid yet lightweight reinforcement solution.
The concept is similar to the ‘stringer’ found on traditional surfboards. The added tensile strength across the board’s length reduces flex; increasing the board’s overall rigidity.
You can find a single pair of PVC stiffening strips on our Entradia boards, while our Archer range sports two pairs.
Laminated double layer skin
A more robust design approach, our double layer laminated construction effectively adds a second PVC skin directly on top of the single layer core. The process involves ‘fusing’ the two layers to each other by using heat to seal the bond instead of glue.
The added laminate layer makes the board extremely rigid all over. In addition, heat bonding ensures the layers will not separate, which is a risk when using glue.
In addition to looking poor, layer separation could increase the risk of puncture risk. Our manufacturing process guarantees that these types of boards will be very resilient to wear and tear.
Two Bare Feet’s Sport Air SUP range boasts Double Wall Fusion (DWF) exteriors, guaranteeing you a long lasting and durable ride.
Inflatable puncture repair kits (just in case)
Designed and constructed to deal with what paddlers of all levels may subject them to, it is unlikely that our stiff SUP builds will spring a leak.
However, it would be irresponsible to suggest an inflatable product is impervious to potential damage in any given scenario. Therefore, we supply a puncture repair kit with every iSUP we sell.
Repairing a board puncture
If you suspect you have a puncture but cannot find it, try submerging the section of the board where you think the air may be coming from in soapy water. If bubbles begin to form, that will be where the hole is. It is then a case of applying a patch that’s been cut to size with vinyl glue and leaving it to dry.
Used and cared for appropriately, we don’t think you’ll ever need to do this with our boards. However, it’s best to be prepared.
If you’d like help choosing a rigid SUP that’s right for you, feel free to get in touch with our friendly team of experienced paddlers. It’s our goal to ensure you get years of enjoyment from the iSUPs we provide. That’s our promise to all paddleboarders — regardless of ability or experience. Stay safe, and see you out on the water!
