Do I need to rinse my paddle board?
Always rinse your board after use, particularly if you’ve been in the ocean. Storing an inflatable paddle board coated in saltwater will deteriorate its exterior over time. Don’t use any chemicals when cleaning — not even soap. Just spray with a hose and let it air dry. Although paddle boards are designed for the water, storing them away when wet or damp doesn’t do them any good. The damp and wet promotes the growth of mold and other bacterias which eat away at the materials, glues and seams. Letting the board fully dry out will also eliminate the smell of damp.When stand-up paddleboarding in warm summer temperatures, you’re likely to also spend some time in the water cooling off, so you may want to wear a swimsuit or swim trunks too.Avoid offshore winds. They will quickly blow your paddleboard far out to sea, which can make it extremely tiring and difficult to paddle back to shore. Avoid launching in windy conditions. You should wear a suitable personal flotation device.Yes, paddleboarding is good for you because you’re moving your body. Those who want an extra workout can try adding yoga poses like side planks or sun salutations, gym moves like squats or Russian twists or raise their heart rate with HIIT intervals of fast paddling.
How to tell if a paddle board is good?
Rigidity: A well-built board should feel solid under your feet with minimal flex, even for heavier paddlers. Stability: It should track straight and offer good side-to-side stability without feeling like a pool toy. Handling: It should be easy to turn and responsive to your paddle strokes. Standup paddleboarding (SUP) is a water sport born from surfing with modern roots in Hawaii. Standup paddleboarders stand on boards that are floating on the water and use a paddle to propel themselves through the water.If your adventures involve speed, long-distance cruising, or fishing, an 11′ paddle board is your match, offering faster gliding and ample space. On the other hand, if your focus is on yoga or recreational paddling, or you just prefer a more relaxed pace, the nimble 10′ paddle board should be your go-to.In general, longer boards are faster than shorter boards, but shorter boards are more maneuverable. Keep in mind your intended use when deciding what length SUP to buy: Short boards (under 10′) are great for surfing and/or kids. These boards almost always have a planing hull.SUP Equipment The Board: A stand-up paddleboard is larger, wider, and generally more buoyant than a traditional paddleboard. It ranges between 9 and 12 feet in length and is designed to support a standing rider.Heavier paddlers who are well under 6′ tall can get away with a 10-11 board that is over 32” wide. Paddlers over 6′ tall across the weight spectrum will do best to prioritize length.
Should I wax my paddle board?
If you have an epoxy hardtop paddleboard without a full length traction pad you will want to apply wax to your paddleboard. If however, your board features a full length traction pad (sometimes known as a deck pad) or is an inflatable paddleboard you should not apply wax to your paddleboard. Unlike surfboards, paddleboards don’t need waxing or yearly maintenance to maintain performance. However, it’s a good practice to inspect your board routinely for scratches or dings that may need repair.
How long do paddleboards last?
With proper care and maintenance, a well-built inflatable paddle board can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years or more. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that the lifespan of your iSUP may vary depending on how often you use it, the conditions in which it’s used and stored, and the quality of construction. Why Is Paddle Board Thickness Important? An inflatable SUP needs to have a certain amount of thickness to ensure that it has enough rigidity and stability to support a rider’s weight on the water. However, if the board is too thick, then riders will have trouble feeling “connected” to the water.Paddle boards are expensive because making a SUP board that is durable, lightweight, and performs well requires the use of expensive materials and labor intensive manufacturing techniques.Quick Answer: For all-around leisure paddling, inflatable SUPs are much better overall, due to advantages in durability, portability, weight, versatility, and injury prevention. But if you are buying a board mainly for SUP surfing or racing, certain technical attributes of hardboards make them worthy of consideration.The cheaper inflatable paddle boards in the market tend to be constructed with glued seams which over time and constant inflating, deflating, folding up, and unfolding tend to loosen and cause punctures. This is dangerous. There’s nothing worse than being out on the water and realising that your board is deflating!Why Are Paddle Boards So Expensive? Paddle boards are expensive because making a SUP board that is durable, lightweight, and performs well requires the use of expensive materials and labor intensive manufacturing techniques.