Part 3: Fixing the Problem - Repairing An Inflatable SUP Board.
Aug 04, 2018
Welcome to Part 3 of our blog series on "It's all about Inflatables!". In case you missed it, you can click here to read Part 2 – Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board Technology: The Lowdown. Right! So now onto it....
"What would be easier: Taking your 10ft hard board to a repair shop, or being able to repair your inflatable without leaving the house?"
FACT: There’s a greater risk of you putting a large crack or ding in your standard hard SUP Board than there is with an inflatable. may find this hard to believe but, the chances are that an inflatable SUP is more likely to bounce back from hitting a hard edge than actually causing any damage to the board. But, just in case you do suffer something like this and need to repair your board, then have a quick read of this article as we will give you as little guide as what to do.
Yup. It happens. And when it does it can be costly to repair a hard board.
So how do I repair my inflatable SUP board?
Now whilst every inflatable Stand UP Paddle Board comes with a standard repair kit just in case, the need to ever actually use it will be rare. But, should you find yourself in a rare situation with a hole, don’t panic as it’s quick & relatively easy to fix. In most cases repairs can be done at home and it’s worth remembering that whilst Inflatable SUP Boards are durable and robust, if you don’t look after them, you could end up with some damage.
"If you have ever used a puncture repair kit on a bike before then fixing a hole on an Inflatable SUP Board will be easy."
The most common problems with inflatable SUP boards are usually caused from the outer skin being pierced by something sharp like an oyster or broken glass, so just keep an eye out every time you set your board down out of the water and its best to carry, not drag it.
If you have ever used a puncture repair kit on a bike before then fixing a hole on an Inflatable SUP Board will be easy. It is simply a glue & patch job, and there are loads of instructional inflatable SUP repair YouTube videos out there to help you. Or if you want a step by step method with accompanying photos, you can see how to patch a paddle board here. Just remember to let it dry before taking it back out on the water.
The way inflatable SUP boards have been designed and constructed, should you hit rocks on a low tide, drop it on the concrete road, forget to strap it to the roof of your car......etc... you'll most likely notice the board will just bounce off and no damage done. Now, run into that same rock with a hard SUP Board and it’ll definitely be a trip to the local repair shop, not to mention all the water that board will now take on. Where hard boards are prone to dings, chips and cracks, an inflatable will not suffer any of these.
So that’s one less thing to worry about…
Aish! A Heavy SUP may slip from your grip & crack upon hitting the ground.
What about more serious damage?
Should the problem be worse such leaking from the seams, then this is will either be a professional repair job or should be taken up with the manufacturer as a lot of board these days offer a good warranty service. And, unlike standard hard boards, Inflatables do not suffer nearly as bad wear from paddle strokes on the rails.
"Inflatable SUPs are very durable and sturdy, so much so that you wouldn’t worry about lending it to a friend… it’s going to come back in one piece."
You may have noticed that on a traditional hard SUP Board, after a while the rail starts to scratch and show damage but due to the reinforced PVC rails (aka really tough plastic) on inflatable boards, it would have to be a much forceful and sharper impact to cause any significant damage.
Can I leave my inflatable SUP board inflated?
Yes you can indeed. It will hold its air pressure for many months without losing pressure. There is no harm or issues to the boards materials or longevity if you leave it inflated opposed to deflated in it's bag. So there's that answered for you!
And finally, make sure you read PART 4: SUP BOARD STORAGE – GOT ENOUGH SPACE?
If you're interested in not just reading about SUP boards, but seeing them, check out our range, just click here.