What pressure should my paddleboard be?
The best inflatable stand-up paddle board PSI level is anywhere from 10 to 15. Most people inflate their board to about 10 to 12 PSI. A higher PSI will help if you are riding in cold or choppy water. If you need a bit more stability, try increasing the PSI of your board as well. For all Tower paddle boards, a PSI of at least 10 should be reached: You should find the last 30-40 pumps to be fairly difficult, but it’s worthwhile to get it to full inflation. Note that the gauge that comes with our pump will not register the air pressure until the board is at at least 7 PSI.The PSI gauge will not move until you have reached around 7-8 PSI and we recommend inflating to 13-17 PSI. Surprisingly, the board can feel hard and fully inflated when still under 7 PSI. Simply continue to pump the board until the PSI gauge begins to register.Generally speaking, we’d suggest aiming for 15-22 PSI. This should ensure that your board reaches the levels of stiffness required for optimum stability, without you having to exert too much effort inflating your board or battle resistance from the valve when deflating it.
Can you over inflate a paddle board?
Over inflation: The Leading Cause Overinflation is the most direct path to a paddle board bursting. Boards are designed to operate safely within a specific range of air pressures, measured in PSI (pounds per square inch). Exceeding this limit can strain the board’s materials and seams, potentially leading to a burst. If you overload a paddle board and exceed the weight limit, not only will the board perform poorly, but you and your passenger are also likely to end up in the water, probably more than once.While paddle boards do have a weight limit, it’s not an absolute number, and each one has its own weight capacity. However, typically, a standard paddle board can accommodate around 200 to 500 pounds. There are also larger ones with higher weight limits that are capable of holding more than 700 pounds.As long as your weight is at or below the suggested weight limit, you should be fine. However, you don’t want to be too heavy for a board. When the paddler is heavier than the board’s weight capacity, the board will ride lower, dragging in the water and making in inefficient to paddle.If you’re a beginner in paddle boarding, you’ll want a longer and broader board, between 10 and 12 feet in length and 30 to 32 inches in width. This size will give you better stability, allowing you to balance and handle the board.All paddle boards have maximum weight guidelines, if you’re nearing these weight limits (remember to include the weight of belongings, pets and passengers!
What is the risk of paddle boarding?
Heatstroke and dehydration. One of the most significant dangers when stand-up paddleboarding is that of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Heat exhaustion happens when your body overheats from a combination of hot weather and prolonged physical activity. You’ll notice if your feet or body position is slightly off to one side, it makes it hard to balance. Your knees should be bent slightly and your ankles lose. As soon as most people stand up on a paddleboard for the first time, their body freezes and goes stiff as a plank.You should have a very slight bend in your knees when you paddle and keep your legs loose and limber.Know how to correct a wobble without falling in If you get thrown slightly off balance, bend your knees and crouch down to lower your center of gravity and regain your stability. You can also put your paddle in the water for balance. The further out to the side you can get your paddle, the more stability you’ll have.The shaky leg sensation when paddleboarding mainly affects beginner riders and can put be down to several reasons; challenging conditions, under-inflated boards, inadequate equipment, nerves, incorrect stance, or incorrect technique.
Can I bring a paddle board on a plane?
Yes! Inflatable paddle boards are perfectly suited for air travel. Most pack down into a backpack-sized travel bag that can be checked like standard luggage. When packed properly, your board, pump, paddle, leash, and personal floatation device (PFD) will typically stay under the 50 lb airline weight limit. For short term storage, leaving your board inflated is absolutely fine, permitting it’s in the perfect storage spot as we outlined above. All inflatable paddle boards will lose air pressure over time when left inflated, but it’s also key to remember that air pressure expands in extreme heat.
How do I know if my paddle board is fully inflated?
Your paddle board is fully inflated when it feels firm to the touch and does not flex under pressure. Most boards have a recommended PSI, typically around 12-15 PSI, which you can check using the gauge on your pump. The board or kayak will look and feel solid before this time so it is easy to assume that it is at the recommended pressure and that the pump is faulty. Keep pumping and the gauge will register and then keep pumping a bit more until you get to the desired PSI (10-12 for kayaks & 18-20 for SUPs).
Is paddle boarding a good workout?
SUPing looks like a very tranquil sport, however it’s an intense workout that is great for burning calories. In fact, by doing an hour of leisurely paddling you could burn between 300-400 calories. However, if you are overweight, you may have concerns about whether a SUP board can support your weight and how to maintain balance while paddling. The good news is that paddle boarding is an accessible sport for individuals of all body types, provided you choose the right equipment and take the necessary precautions.Once cleared for activity paddle boarding is a leisurely, low-impact, physical training that engages all muscles in the body. I provide clients with simple modifications, such as sitting instead of kneeling to take pressure off of their knees. Learning how to paddle on a SUP is much different than a kayak.
How long should a paddle board be for beginners?
Length: Finding the Right Balance For most adults, the ideal length for an all-around beginner paddle board ranges from 10 feet to 12 feet 6 inches. This range provides a good balance, making the board manageable and versatile. 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.For the average paddler unhappy with their balance, a 34-inch wide board should do the trick. If you’re taller or heavier, like Michael, board width becomes even more important. Therefore, if you’re finding it difficult to balance, check your board’s width; it might just be too narrow.If you don’t inflate it enough, it’ll lose its rigidity and flop around, making it harder for you to paddle. On the other hand, inflating it too much will cause your board to pop due to excess pressure.You aren’t standing in the centre of the paddle board If you’re not standing in the centre of the board, your weight is not going to be evenly distributed and then it won’t take much to throw you off.Exceeding the paddle board weight limit could jeopardize its stability and hinder your fun. Problems may arise if you and your equipment weigh even a little bit more than your paddle board can support. Paddling will be more difficult since your board will be lower in the water.