STORING YOUR BOARD

HOW TO STORE YOUR SUP FOR WINTER

As summer slowly comes to an end, some of you will be thinking about putting your SUP away until spring.

Not everyone fancies wrapping up warm, putting on cold-weather gear and braving freezing fingers and noses for a winter paddle. If you’re a fair-weather paddler who loves the sunshine and would rather tuck your board away until the warmer months, this one is for you 🫵

HARDBOARDS

If you’re storing your hardboard indoors, there isn’t too much to worry about. Give it a good clean, make sure it’s completely dry and keep it protected from bumps and scrapes with a board bag or SUP Sock.

Storing your hardboard outside needs a little more thought.

Hardboards have a vent plug which allows the board to breathe as it expands and contracts with changes in temperature. Extreme heat and cold can have an impact on your board.

Start by giving it a really good rinse and dry, then remove the vent plug and store it somewhere safe.

An insulated board bag is a good idea if your board is going to be outside. It gives the board some extra protection from the elements and temperature changes.

You can then add another layer with a blanket, cover or, of course, our SUP Sock. Think of it as the board’s winter thermals 😉

If your board is staying outside, keeping it dry is really important too. A cheap tarpaulin wrapped around the top and bottom of the board bag will give you some extra protection from rain and moisture.

Most board bags will absorb water, and leaving your board exposed to moisture for long periods can eventually allow water to penetrate the epoxy through osmosis.

INFLATABLES

Storing an iSUP is a little easier, but there are still a few things worth doing before you pack it away.

Give your board, paddle and accessories a thorough rinse to remove salt, dirt and anything else that could cause corrosion. Even stainless steel components such as paddle pins and D-rings can rust if they aren't looked after.

Then, and this is important, make sure everything is completely dry before storing it.

If you’re rolling your board up for the winter, we recommend putting a towel at the bottom of the bag.

A rolled-up board can get pushed and moved around in storage, which can put pressure on the rails and potentially cause damage. A towel provides a little extra cushioning and protection.

Planning to leave your iSUP inflated over winter? That’s absolutely fine too.

Just remember that air pressure changes with temperature. As the temperature drops, so does the pressure inside your board. Always check the pressure before heading back out for your first paddle.

GIVE IT A CHECK

Once your board is tucked away, don’t completely forget about it!

It’s worth checking in every now and then to make sure everything is still dry, protected and looking good.

If you spot anything that needs attention, you’ve got plenty of time to sort it before the warmer weather returns.

A little bit of preparation now means your board will be ready and waiting when the sunshine comes back.

Until then, stay warm, stay safe and we’ll see you on the water!