iSUPs and inflatable wing boards: What should you do with your inflatable SUP in the sun?

There are horror stories about SUPs bursting in the sun or boards that have warped. The good news is that this rarely happens; high-quality boards can withstand a fair bit, including – slightly – increased pressure in the heat. The bad news is that a SUP board isn’t indestructible, and the damage mentioned above does in fact occur. And time and again, you see boards lying flat on the beach, baking in the midday heat. Whilst this often turns out fine, it’s better to keep your SUP in the shade. This naturally applies to inflatable wing boards too, as the technology and materials are identical.

SUP in the sun? You should avoid that!

If you want to know, Here are the top tips on how to protect your board in hot weather.

First of all: Whilst paddling, the board is ‘water-cooled’; there are no known issues with this.

• Taking your SUP in the car: Even if an inflated SUP fits in your car, you shouldn’t leave it in there on hot or sunny days. When the temperature inside the car exceeds 50 degrees, the pressure rises dramatically. If a board were to burst in the car, the windows would probably shatter – and so would your eardrums.
• SUP in the sun: A SUP heats up in the sun – to varying degrees depending on its colour – but always quite significantly. This increases the pressure. In extreme cases, it could actually burst.
• SUP on the car roof: No problem whilst riding: the breeze keeps you cool. The problem arises when you park up. If it’s a nice, shady spot, no problem. In the blazing sun, the board gets scorching hot after a while: see two points further on!
• UV protection: As well as temperature, UV radiation isn’t good for SUPs – just as it isn’t for any plastic. Anyone who’s ever seen how pale and brittle a little red plastic bucket becomes after two years of being left in the sandpit 24/7 can see this quite clearly. Prolonged exposure to UV radiation will also cause the pads and the graphics to lighten and fade. The simplest way to prevent this is to store the board in the shade before and after paddling.
• SUP is getting crooked: This can actually happen if you leave your SUP lying flat in direct sunlight for a long time when the sun is strong. The top of the board heats up more than the underside. The top will expand, which can cause the board to warp.

Our ‘secret’ tip: Less pressure on the SUP

Especially on hot days You don’t necessarily need to inflate your SUP to maximum pressure when it’s in the sun. We tested this with two identical JP Sportsair 12’6’’ x 30’’ boards: with a sturdy, high-quality SUP, we were able to reduce the pressure to as low as 11 psi without noticing any real difference at normal touring speeds. Our 60-kilo test rider couldn’t see or feel any difference at all. With our 84-kilo test rider, the board ‘flexed’ just a tiny bit more. Even during brisk touring, this made no difference; it was only at racing pace – such as during a sprint – that the board no longer tracked quite as straight through the water as it did at 15 psi and achieved a slightly lower top speed.

Another advantage The advantage of lower pressure in a SUP is quite simple: you have to pump a lot less. The two psi between 13 and 15 are the most tiring. This is especially true for lighter people. If you don’t weigh 100 kilos, why not give 13 psi a go – or even just 12 – with no strings attached? It doesn’t cost a thing :-) You might not even notice any difference.

What to do with your SUP in hot weather? A summary of the tips

• If possible, store in the car without inflating it
• When not in use, store it in the shade or release a significant amount of pressure. However, UV exposure alone can also cause damage over time.
• Try reducing the pressure. Often, less than the recommended amount is enough, and the pressure increases of its own accord in the sun.

More SUP topics:

• Buying guide for beginners – Your first SUP
• SUP technique: Basics and turns – How to paddle properly!
• How to get started with SUP with children