Summer paddling: The 9 most important SUP tips for hot weather

30 degrees and sunshine – now, at the very latest, it’s time to bring your SUP out of hibernation. Anyone who’s regularly out on the water is perhaps familiar with the often-underestimated aspects of sun exposure and the strain on equipment. Here, we’ve put together what we consider to be the most relevant tips for the peak SUP season this summer.

• Assessing the water temperature: At mountain lakes in particular, water temperatures can remain surprisingly low even after a heatwave and, in contrast to the air temperature, can be downright off-putting. So do check the water temperature beforehand – even if you’re feeling hot and would love to just plunge in in your swimwear.
• Leash: Sudden thermal winds, cold lake water – there are many reasons why a leash is a good idea even on a summer SUP tour, to ensure you don’t get separated from your board. On flowing waters, however, a leash is often NOT recommended.
• Sun protection: such as long-sleeved Lycra (which also has a cooling effect when wet), sunglasses (with a safety strap), headwear (reviewed here) and water-resistant sun cream on all exposed areas (Here’s a practical surfing test)

• ​Drink regularly - It sounds obvious, but it’s easy to forget when there’s a light breeze or you’re taking regular breaks to go for a swim. Practical surfing tip: An insulated water bottle keeps your water tasting fresh for hours, even whilst you’re on your board.
• SUP on the car roof: It’s no problem whilst out on the water, but in a sunny car park the board is literally being ‘grilled’ – with heat from above and below. Inflated iSUPs may warp or even burst if left in storage for long periods.
• SUP on the beach: A SUP heats up in the sun on the beach – to varying degrees depending on its colour – but always quite significantly. This increases the pressure. In extreme cases, it could actually burst, partly because the adhesive bond is weakened by high temperatures. SUPs with welded seams should cope better with this. More commonly, however, a SUP may simply become warped (taking on a banana shape) because the side exposed to the sun expands when the sunlight is very intense.

• ​Taking your SUP in the car: Even if an inflated SUP fits in your campervan, it shouldn’t be left in the car on hot or sunny days. When temperatures inside the car exceed 50 degrees, the pressure can rise sharply. If a board were to burst inside the car, the windows would probably shatter – and so would your eardrums.
• ​Fading caused by UV: As well as temperature, UV radiation is harmful to SUPs – just as it is to all plastics. Prolonged exposure to UV radiation will cause the pad and the graphics to lighten and fade. The simplest way to prevent this is to store the board in the shade or cover it up.
• Reducing tyre pressure: This applies all year round. Just give it a go. It doesn’t cost a thing. We have tested it and I haven’t noticed any significant difference between 13 and 15 psi, apart from the fact that you have to pump much less. This reduces the strain on the bond, which can be particularly beneficial in very hot conditions.

If you fancy a long river paddle, You’ll find a few more tips here.