Paddleboarding FAQs

Leaan more about paddleboarding by reading through our most commonly asked questions.

1.     How do I protect my board from the sun?

Avoid storing your board in direct sunlight, but, if necessary, do make sure it is lying upside-down with fins facing up. This helps to protect more of the components and glue from the heat of the sun, particularly on hot summer days. 

2.     Paddleboarding Safety Tips - What to avoid when going out on a paddleboard?

Make sure to check weather and water conditions, as well as tides for your start point, route and destination. Consult locals and/or lifeguards for safety tips whenever you are visiting a new location. Avoid paddling in offshore winds. Try to paddle upwind / upstream first to gauge the strength of the wind / water. Be aware of the effect tides and currents can have on your journey.

Be observant and identify hazards before heading out on the water. Always give way to larger watercraft and keep a safe distance from other water users. Avoid paddling alone. Ensure somebody knows where you are going and when you plan to be back and take some method of contacting someone should you need help.

Do not go out on the water whilst under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication. Always wear a buoyancy aid, even if you are a strong swimmer. Dress appropriately for the weather conditions and always wear a leash to prevent you and your board from becoming separated. 

3.    How do I fold and pack away my paddleboard? 

Remove the valve cap and firmly press in the valve button to open the air valve, allowing air to rush out. This can be loud, so warn others around you before you deflate. Begin by pressing as much air out of the board as possible. Make sure your board is lying on a soft or smooth surface to avoid damaging the board while you do this. Start folding you board up from the nose end, making sure to press all the air out of the board as you go. Aim to make 1 fold roughly every 35cm.

Stop folding when you get to where the fins are mounted. Press as much air as you can out of the tail end. Close the valve and attach the valve cap. Fold up the tail end of the board in a way that the fins end up on top. Make sure to avoid putting excess strain on the valve, fins or finbox. Add your fin protectors and strap your board to keep it securely folded. Put your board back in its carry bag to keep it safe while not in use.

4.    What do I need to do after using my board? How often should I clean my paddleboard? 

After use, rinse off the board and all accessories with fresh water and let them dry completely before you pack them away. Dismantle and clean all parts of your paddle to prevent salt build up that could seize moving parts. Do not use harsh chemicals for cleaning - fresh water and mild soap is sufficient to remove most dirt and salt. Store your board in your carry bag to protect it from scuffs, scratches and dirt.

5.   How should I store my inflatable paddleboard? 

Always store your board deflated. Leaving your board inflated can put strain on the seams and valves and cause issues due to changes in temperature and air pressure. Do not store your board in extreme temperature conditions (eg above 35ºC / 95ºF or below -5ºC / 23ºF). Hanging the board is not recommended. Store in a cool, clean and dry place.

Do not store your board outside, exposed to weather or in direct sunlight. Moulded fins may bend if the board is stored without fin protectors. They can be straightened using heat, such as soaking in hot water or heating with a hair dryer to return them to the correct position.

Additional care guidance:

Never transport your inflatable SUP inflated on the roof of your vehicle! Doing this can result in increased pressure on the board caused by buffeting wind and tight roofrack straps. This could increase internal air pressure in the board and could cause your board to twist, rupture and/or to come unsecured.

Never let your board come into contact with sharp or abrasive objects, chemicals or solvents. These could cause cosmetic damage and even lead to punctures, weakened material and dissolved glue in the seams. 

Never drag your board along the floor, even on the sand as this can conceal sharp object like stones and broken shells. Dragging your board can wear holes in the material that will cause leaks. 

When deflating and packing your board away at the beach, avoid putting it down on any hard surface. Try to find a soft, grassy area that is free from stones and other sharp, hard objects.

6.    I think there is a leak coming from my board, what should I do? 

Most often, any punctures and leaks are very small and can be hard to pinpoint. If you think your board is losing air, first inflate your board and check your valve. This is the most common cause of leaks. You can apply a soapy solution to the valve of your board and look for air bubbles. If you see any, you can use the valve tightening tool from your repair kit to help stop the leak.

However, if the leak persists you may need to add an o-ring to form an extra layer and create a tighter seal for your valve. If the leak is not coming from the valve, then it is also worth checking all of the seams on the board to check if the leak is escaping there. By applying the same soapy solution along the seams, you should be able to identify where the leak is. If your leak is found on a seam or on the pvc of the board (depending on the size of the leak) a patch from the repair kit can be applied. Before applying the patch, you will need to make sure that the affected area is clean, dry and free from any grease, grime or chemicals that may stop the glue from sticking. 

7.   A bubble has formed under the EVA deck pad, does that mean there is a leak?  

Sometimes, when the board is stored in direct sunlight, or is being used in hot temperatures, the glue underneath the pad can produce gases from the heat and form bubbles. To resolve this, you can carefully create a slight incision along one of the diamond designs on the pad please note that the EVA deck is around 4mm thick so be careful to not cut with force that can damage/puncture the PVC deck underneath. Once the incision has been made, use the repair glue from your kit and gently apply underneath where the bubble was formed.

You can use a small object like a lolly pop stick to spread the glue underneath the area. You can then press down and wipe away any excess glue that escapes and masking tape the incision. You can then apply a lightly weighted object to the repaired area and leave the glue to dry for the next 24/48 hours. Please note, any excess glue that is left will discolour when exposed to sunlight.  

8.   My paddle is stuck together, what can I do to separate it? 

The paddle shaft can become stuck from salt or grime residue as well as water absorption which can lead to swelling if it is left in a wet or humid environment for a prolonged period of time. This is why it's important to always clean and thoroughly dry your equipment, especially after paddling in salt water and to store the paddle in its individual pieces.

To separate, you can soak the paddle shaft in warm water to help to create enough separation to twist the shafts in opposite directions and loosen the paddle. You can also try applying moderate heat from a hair dryer and perform the same steps. 

9.    Will the paddle fit into the 90Ldry bag that comes with the SUP package? 

Within the 90L dry bag that comes with your paddleboard package you can fit your paddleboard, the hand pump, centre fin, kayak seat and leash. If you have a 3-piece paddle this can also fit within the bag however, due to the length of the 2-piece paddle, you will need to store it on the outside with the Velcro straps and pocket attached. 

10.   What is the difference between the 2 and 3-piece paddles? 

The choice of the 2pc or 3pc paddle is mainly down to your personal preference and storage capabilities. The 3-piece paddles are more convenient in terms of storage and transportation as they can fit into the 90L dry bag supplied with a SUP package. However, the 2-piece paddles are slightly sturdier since they have less connection points.

11.   The gauge has stopped working on my manual hand pump. What do I do?

The gauge will only read once the board has taken shape and the air within the board becomes pressurised which is at around 5psi. It could therefore be a case that not enough pressure has gone into the board for the gauge to register, therefore although the board may look/feel hard, more air will need to be added to the board for the needle on the gauge to start working.

Alternatively the gauge could have come loose during transit. Unscrewing the gauge and re-screwing it back in can fix this issue. Otherwise, the pumps chamber could possibly be blocked. To check this,  firmly place the palm of your hand over the hole after unscrewing the hose from the pump. Push down and up on the pump, to see if the gauge reads.