Your boards might dream of winter storage like this. But we'll show you some good alternatives that will also keep the peace in your home.
By November at the latest, most paddlers are faced with the question of how best to store their SUP board. Here we look at the differences between inflatable and laminated boards. We answer the question of whether you should leave the board deflated or store it rolled up. We also tell you whether the cellar, garage or under the bed is the best place to store your board.
Ideally, you paddle - in the right clothing - through the winter, but even then the question of storage on the "unpaddleable" days arises. During SUP Magazine's winter test, the boards are sometimes stacked in the snow for a few days and - the good news is - our boards are actually quite robust and can withstand this. However, you can also treat your board to something good for longer storage periods.
Where should you store SUP boards?
Basement, garage or bedroom? The storage location is largely irrelevant. However, it should always be dry and allow air to reach the board. A cool, dry cellar is just as suitable as a place in the bedroom under the bed or even an unheated garage.
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Optimum iSUP storage: inflated or deflated?
With inflatable SUPs, the first question is: should I store the board inflated or should I deflate it for storage?
In principle, both are possibleHowever, with a few measures, you can store your SUP particularly gently.
- Clean and dry store. Inflatable SUPs are made of PVC - which is generally a very durable material. Experience has shown that special "care products" for lubrication are not necessary. Before storage, however, the "carpet" on the deck should be thoroughly cleaned, using warm water with perhaps a dash of washing-up liquid and a robust hand brush. This will prevent verdigris and unpleasant odours caused by organic residues on the board. With some of the recommended care products, you should bear in mind that everything you put on the board will end up in the water. Cleaning is particularly important after salt water use, as the salt residue will otherwise keep attracting moisture from the air. This also applies to SUP bags that have become wet with salt water. Without freshwater rinsing, bog is inevitable.
- Store inflated: This keeps the board crease-free and ideally stored, and also minimises stress on the seams. The board is filled with reduced pressure (approx. 5 to a maximum of 8 psi) and stored lying on wide supports or on edge. To prevent the board from sagging, these should not be more than half the length of the board apart.
- Store rolled up. Not upright, but lying down, so that it does not stand on the buckling surface (also during car transport). If the castor is upright, the total weight presses on a small point on the edge in the worst case.
- Protect against mice infestation. Sounds strange, but it's true. Mice love anything that looks like a "nest" and like to nibble on it. Even if "only" the pannier and carrying handles are affected, it's annoying. However, we have also had reports of PVC laminates being eaten through.
- When rolling in you should - as with daily use - make sure that there is no kink directly on the fin box (see photo). It is also advisable not to roll up the board at sub-zero temperatures, as the PVC is then quite stiff and is more bent than rolled. At 20 degrees in the autumn sun, on the other hand, the board can be packed away nicely and smoothly for winter storage.
If the board is stored in a rucksack, it is best to store it lying down so that the rolled board is not subjected to point loads. This also applies to car transport.
Storing your SUP correctly: Hardboards
There are often not many alternatives for hardboards due to their dimensions of over four metres in length. The following rules apply to storage.
"Incorrect storage in a board bag can result in total damage!"
Stephan Gölnitz, SUP magazine tester
- Store in a dry place! Hardboards should be stored as airily as possible, with the opportunity to "air dry". Under no circumstances should they be stored in a completely closed board bag! In a bag, there is a risk of a board becoming warped, especially with very light boards with a thin layer of varnish. "Osmosis" (all information and tips here)damage to the paint layer in the form of bubbles. These form in an enclosed, warm and humid environment. For example, in a board bag on the car roof after summer rain - and within a short time!
- Support well! Ideally, a hardboard should rest on the gliding surface or upright on two supports. These should be well padded, at least 5 centimetres wide and softly padded. Pipe insulation from the DIY store, for example, is quite suitable. A good distance between the supports is about 1.5 to two metres.
- Finn out. To prevent residual water from building up in the fin box, remove the fin and also check that there is no more water "standing" in the fin box or in the recessed grip.
