How to take care of your SUP

Stand up paddleboarding or SUPing is an extremely fun water sport activity that anyone can enjoy, which is why it’s become so wildly popular over the last few years. Stand up paddleboarding gives you the freedom to navigate through our stunning beaches and lagoons in your own way.

It’s simple to get started, all you need is a stand up paddle board, a paddle to propel you through the water, and a leash to keep the board attached to you in case you fall. Good quality stand up paddleboarding gear is a long term investment. So it’s important to properly take care of your equipment to keep them in great shape. Here we’ll look at how to take care of your stand up paddle board gear.

Avoid sun damage

Paddling on a sunny day is perfectly fine. But leaving your board outside for prolonged periods of time in direct sunlight can damage it. UV rays can cause the board to discolor and the heat from sunlight can lead to delamination which occurs when the fiberglass bubbles and layers start to peel away from the foam core.

The easiest way to avoid damaging your SUP is to keep it out of direct sunlight. When you are done paddling for the day, store your board in a cool, shady spot like in a garage. We recommend storing your paddle board against a wall, on wall racks such as these, so that your floor space is freed up. 

When storing your board, ensure that the fins are in a position where they will not be damaged or cause injury to people.

Rinse and dry your SUP

It’s easy to simply stow your board away and call it a day. After all, you’re probably exhausted from paddling in the water for hours. But we recommend you rinse off your board at the local beach showers or your home garden tap before you store it. 

Washing the board afterwards removes any salty residue that could otherwise damage the surface. Be sure to also periodically clean your board so that gunk doesn’t build up. Use a mild soap, fresh water, and a soft cloth to remove any dirt and keep your board clean.

Transporting by car

Paddle board bags are great for protecting your board while travelling. We recommend putting your board in its bag while you transport it via a car roof, as stone chips can damage the board. It’s also important to ensure your paddle board is correctly secured to your roof racks before you drive off. We’ve had customers come back to us with damaged boards after they’ve fallen from the roof of their car.

Carefully lay the board down so that it lies flat and centre on the roof racks, with the nose facing down and the fins facing up. Then, loop a strap under the roof rack on one side and pass both ends of the strap across the top of the board. Make your way to the other side of your vehicle and insert the tail end of the strap under the other side of the roof rack and into the strap buckle and pull tight. The buckle should be positioned between the paddle board and your vehicle’s roof. Tighten and repeat the process for the second cam strap to keep the board firmly in place.

We recommend that you check the weight carrying capacity of your roof racks before you load up your car with too many paddle boards. If you are carrying multiple boards together, like the above picture, consider adding more foam cushioning between the bottom paddle board and the roof racks, as the bottom board will be carrying all the weight and may get impressions if not protected enough.

Don't forget to regularly check the tension on the straps when travelling on long road trips. We make it a habit to check the straps every time we stop and we also pull over if we hear any abnormal noises coming from the roof.

Repair dings and cracks

Things happen – you might accidentally hit a rock as you paddle or scratch the board against a sharp object as you get ready to store it. Dings and cracks can open up the foam core which can cause the board to become waterlogged and lose its buoyancy.

If you notice any dings or cracks on your board, it’s important to get them repaired as soon as possible. You can do these repairs yourself using epoxy resin for minor damage. But bringing it to a repair shop for large dings or deep cracks is a good idea.

With these tips, you can prolong the lifespan of your stand up paddle board so you can enjoy it for years to come.

If you are looking to buy a new stand up paddle board, the experienced staff at Ben Buckler Boards are happy to provide guidance for your individual needs. Contact us any time to chat with our friendly staff.

Author’s Bio 

Alex Morrison has worked with a range of businesses giving him an in depth understanding of many different industries. As the owner of Integral Media, he is now utilising his knowledge and experience with his rapidly increasing client portfolio to help them achieve their business goals.