How To Care For Your SUP
You did it! You invested in a SUP board! You are ready to go have some fun on the water. Now it is time to make sure you keep your investment in great condition so you can have fun for years to come. Here are some steps to take to make sure your board stays in great condition.
First and foremost, Rinse your board/paddle/leash! Rinse EVERYTHING! Especially after use in saltwater. Salt water can corrode and damage any gear over time. If you are somewhere that doesn’t have fresh water to rinse your board you have 2 potions: 1) rinse it when you get home, 2) bring a rinse kit with you (a container of water).
Next, clean marks off your board using natural soap, Simple Green, or a Magic Eraser. Be gentle! Then rinse again. Don’t use abrasives on the traction pad as it could damage it. Traction pads are made from foam rubber and can be damaged by rough or sharp objects.
Dry your board thoroughly before putting it in the bag. Especially if you are not going to use it for a long period of time. By closing it in a bag wet you may end up with bacteria and mold growth. YUCK! No one wants to deal with that before their next SUP session.
Do not leave your board out in direct sun for long periods of time, this will damage the board. Board bags and UV covers help protect boards from sun damage. If you use a board bag to protect your board and it is in a location where it gets hot, leave it partially open so that the board does not get too hot.
To limit damage to your board make sure it is floating when you get on and off of it. It can damage the board if you run your board up onto the sand. You never know what rocks and sharp shells may be hidden from sight. Also, be aware of where you are lying your board down when you are rinsing it. Rocks in parking lots can damage a board as well.
If you do ding your board, as accidents do happen, DO NOT put your board back into the water. If your board has an “open wound” and you put it back in the water it will act like a sponge and soak up as much water as it can. This can lead to more damage to the board due to swelling and it will lead to a longer repair time as it must be dried out before the ding can be sealed up and repaired.
If you do get a ding and it does take on water, put the board in the sun to speed up the drying process. Once it is dried out repair the ding or bring it in to get repaired.
Check all of your gear including paddles, fins and leashes. If one piece of gear malfunctions it can ruin you day on the water. It is worth the time and effort. The better care you take with your board and gear the longer it will last. Protect your investment for years of fun on the water.
West Coast Paddle Sports can help you with the following repairs:
- Resizing of paddles (outrigger and SUP)
- Repair damaged boards (hard boards only)
- Custom cut and install deck pads
- Rail tape boards
- Board cleaning and prep
- Fin tuning and repair
- Board and paddle packing/shipping services
labor.