When winter is coming and the temperatures start to get cold, you may be wondering about the best way to store an inflatable SUP. The options for off-season storage are pretty straightforward but there are some best practices. An inflatable SUP is much easier to store than a traditional one since it comes with its own carrying case and can be deflated to fit in smaller storage spaces.
Cleaning Your Inflatable SUP for Winter Storage
You want to make sure that you rinse it with freshwater to remove any dirt, sand, grime, or salt. Be sure to avoid any strong chemicals and solvents. You will also want to have the board dry before you fully put it away.
Where to Store the Inflatable SUP
As you consider your options for storage, there are a few things you want to keep in mind when storing your stand up paddleboard for winter.
Sunlight: The ultraviolet rays that come with sunlight can be damaging to the stand up paddleboard and can cause discoloration.
Moisture: An environment that is wet can encourage mildew and mold growth and even damage part of the material on the iSUP.
Extreme Heat: Extreme temperatures caused by a heat source or the sun can do damage to the materials of the stand up paddleboard.
There are generally two options for storing your stand up paddleboard: you can do it indoors or outdoors. The easiest storage solution is to keep it indoors. If you have an iSUP then indoors can be much easier since you can deflate it and keep it away in a smaller space. If you are keeping it outside then you need to take some extra precautions to protect your stand up paddleboard from the elements. Be sure it's in a shady spot away from the heat and UV rays and protect it from any rain or snow.
Different Ways to Store an Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard
There are three basic ways to store your iSUP and each have its own advantages.
- Like a Burrito: This method involves rolling the deflated board up just like a burrito. In order to do this, you need to make sure that all the air has been squeezed out. You can use the same technique you would use when trying to store an air mattress: roll and smooth it section by section. Once the board is in a tight roll then you can store it.
- Bag It: Your Supzoom stand up paddleboard comes with a carrying case. You can use the same roll and smooth technique in order to ensure the board is deflated. You want to be as thorough as you can since the smaller you make the board, the easier it is to zip it in the bag. Your bag should be able to fit your iSUP, as well as all the accessories.
- Store your iSUP Semi-Inflated: If you have the space then you can store your stand up paddleboard inflated. However, it's recommended that you do let out some air to lower the PSI slightly. There isn't a gain from leaving the SUP inflated with full pressure when you aren't using it. Giving the seams a break from full inflation from time to time will keep your inflatable SUP in better shape. When you store your SUP this way, as you go to use it the next time you will only need to top off the air instead of inflate it from scratch.
Can You Leave the Stand Up Paddleboard Inflated?
If you are storing your inflatable stand up paddleboard inside, out of direct sunlight, and away from any extreme temperature changes then you can leave the iSUP inflated. You can do this indefinitely but if you want to preserve the lifespan of your board then deflating it periodically is your best bet.
Other Tips for iSUP Storage
You want to make sure that you store your iSUP where there is ease of access. You don't want it to be so difficult to get that you aren't able to use it come springtime. A quality stand up paddleboard is an investment so you also want to take steps to protect the paddleboard from being stolen. Keep it hidden from view as much as possible. When you take great care of your iSUP, you can increase its longevity.