Paddle boarding is an exciting sport that has grown in popularity over the past decade. The board itself can be expensive, and it’s important to take care of your investment, so you don’t end up with a damaged paddleboard. In this article, we will find how to maintain your freein inflatable fishing sup properly and what you should do if you experience any problems with it.
In addition, there are some safety tips for beginners who want to start out on a paddleboard. This includes where they should launch from as well as how they can get back on the board after falling off or capsizing without getting swept away by currents or waves.
1. Rinse your paddleboard off after each use
After each time you use your paddleboard, it’s important to rinse the board off. This will prevent dirt and sand from building up on your board which can lead to wear and tear. Rinse with fresh water after every use. The best way to do this is by taking the top of a garden hose and spraying down the entire surface of your paddleboard before letting it dry in direct sunlight or outside, where there is plenty of wind. It should take about 15 minutes for most boards if they are rinsed well enough, but some might need more time depending on how dirty they were when first starting out.
2. Prevent scratches
If you find that small scratches start appearing on your board due to normal usage over time, then try to avoid using any abrasive cleaners on your board. This includes dish detergents or iodine-based cleaners. These will wear down the surface of the paddleboard and cause more scratches to appear over time, which could lead to irreversible damage that might need replacement.
If you are paddle boarding majorly in salt water, it is a good idea to clean off excess salt with fresh water before letting it dry. Salt can build up quickly and deteriorate the wood grain used for boards as well as potentially causing corrosion from continued exposure to salt water if not cleaned regularly.
3. Storage tips
It’s important to store your board properly so that it doesn’t get hit by other items around where you keep it stored, like bicycles or surfboards. Ensure you store the paddle board in a cool, dry place, and make sure to store them away from other boards or objects. If you don’t have space for storage, many paddleboard companies will give you tips on how to properly lay your board down so that the traction pads are not damaged when they aren’t being used.
4. Use proper accessories to inflate the paddleboard
It’s important to use the right accessories when inflating your board. Your paddle board should come with a repair kit and pump that can be used to inflate it, but you may need other items as well, including:
- A high-pressure hand or Electric SUP pump
- A needle valve for deflating and filling up again
- An Allen key to adjust the inflation valves on top of the board (if necessary)
It is also good practice when using an electric pump that has been used before by someone else; make sure to wash off any debris from previous uses, so they don’t become lodged in your board and cause leaks later. It’s best not to overinflate your board because this could damage them.
5. Check for damages periodically
Inspect the board periodically for damage such as dents, scrapes, or scratches; repairing these early will help prevent the board from becoming more damaged later. Doing this will also prevent the board splitting or cracking risks, which could cause you to end up with an unusable paddleboard.
6. Avoid scraping the ground during transport
If you carry your paddleboard around, be careful not to drag it over rough surfaces so that there are no scrapes or scuffs that will make travel difficult in the future. It may look like a minor problem, but dragging boards across roads could create big issues down the line when trying to get back onto it again after falling off due to having lost traction between foot placement and grip surface area.
7. Clean it with proper equipment
- Clean the deck of the board with a soft brush and towel or sponge to remove any dirt and debris.
- Ensure to use a mild soap or detergent, but not an abrasive cleaner that can cause damage.
- Rinse the deck of the board with fresh water before you dry it off to prevent salt deposits from building up on your board, as well as removing all traces of soap residue so that they don’t create problems down the line when trying to get back onto your paddleboard again after falling in the water.
8. Avoid contact with sunlight
Direct exposure to UV rays is damaging for most materials which means if you have a hard time finding shade while out paddling, then bring along some SPF lotion because prolonged sun exposure will weaken material such as wood making repairs more difficult should something happen later on down the road.
9. Use wax-based cleaner
Apply a wax-based cleaner (or car wax) to reduce friction on the board’s surface. This will help the board slide more easily as well as make it easier to get back on before capsizing.
10. Hang up paddles properly after use
The paddle should stay straight, with both blades pointing downward for maximum longevity between repairs. Also, never stack boards on top of each other because the weight will warp and eventually break them.
11. Don’t sit or lean back too far
Paddle boarding can be comfy, but that doesn’t mean you should get comfortable! It’s still important to remain vigilant while out there in the water, just as if you were surfing, kayaking or fishing.
Conclusion
Paddle boarding is a great hobby and sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It also provides good exercise for the whole body. If you want to start out on one, it is important that you follow these tips, so your board lasts as long as possible!