Why can’t I balance on a paddle board?
Paddle boarding can be hard to balance if your board is too small for your size, if the water is choppy, if you’re looking around or moving your body around a lot, or if your stance is incorrect. But don’t worry, it’s very common for first-time paddleboarders to have shaky legs, and sometimes it can take a few tries to get used to. The more time you spend on the water working on your technique the less you will feel wobbly on your paddleboard over time.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.Make sure your feet are shoulder width apart and not any wider as this can also cause instability. It’s a good idea to periodically check whilst you’re paddle boarding that you are still in the middle of the board as you can very easily end up moving more than you realise.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.
What happens if you don’t inflate a paddle board enough?
Not inflating your paddle board correctly You need to inflate your paddle board to the recommended PSI. 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. Generally speaking, lighter paddlers (under 180 lbs) can inflate the board to 15-18 PSI, while heavier paddlers (over 180 lbs) should inflate to 15-22 PSI.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.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.
Is it OK to leave paddle board inflated?
Yes, you can leave your paddle board inflated for short periods, but it’s essential to regularly check its condition and inflation level. Over Expansion in Paddle Boards There is no rule saying you can’t leave your paddle board inflated; however, we strongly recommend that if you’re leaving your paddle board in storage for long periods of time, you should deflate it to keep it in its best possible condition.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.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.
What is the life expectancy of an inflatable paddle board?
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. Longevity depends on a few different factors. Maintenance is key, like any else, if you take care of it it should last you!
Why is my inflatable paddle board not inflating?
The lack of pressure buildup is caused by a lack of lubricant in the pump or unevenly distributed lubricant. If the pump won’t build pressure all you need to do is add some sort of lubricant, like Vaseline. Unscrew the top of the pump and add a glob of lubricant to the cylindrical piece on the inside. The pump makes strange noises that you haven’t heard before. You see water or other fluids leaking from the pump. The pump isn’t generating enough pressure to correctly move fluids through your system. The pump is running hot, even when there’s no load on it.
What happens if you over inflate a paddle board?
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. Paddle boarding is not hard and is considered relatively easy to learn because paddlers can learn enough to have fun in no time with just a little effort. Anyone can learn to handle a SUP board in a short amount of time. Even if you’re not very athletic, you can still figure it out without any trouble.Both kayaking and SUP are quite easy for a beginner to pick up. However, we still think the advantage goes to SUP. While a kayak is easy to learn, it still requires a degree of skill to pick up. This is primarily due to the difficulty of getting in and out, especially when it comes to how to react if the kayak flips.Stand up paddleboards are generally faster than kayaks, as they have a longer waterline and can glide more easily through the water. This makes them ideal for exploring open water, such as lakes, rivers, or even the ocean. Kayaks, however, are easier to steer in tight spaces.With the appropriate safety gear like a PFD and responsible practices, both kayaking and paddleboarding can be safe. Yet, considering the ease of remounting, the exceptional vantage point, and the full-body engagement, Glide SUP boards claim the title for safer, more versatile aquatic exploration.All paddle boards have maximum weight guidelines, if you’re nearing these weight limits (remember to include the weight of belongings, pets and passengers!
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. 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.Pump up the board until it reaches 10-15 PSI. It will be easy to pump at first and nothing will register on the inflation valve until the board is pretty stiff. Do not get discouraged, keep pumping. The pump gauge will not register a psi until it gets to at least 7 psi.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.