When it comes to inflatable paddle board care, this blog post will show you how to get the biggest bang for your buck! Ultimately, the best way to prolong the life of your board is to properly clean and maintain it after every use. A few other things that you want to do/not do:
- Avoid dragging it. You’re not a barnyard animal 🙂
- Dry it. Make sure your inflatable paddle board is completely dry before you roll it up and store it away.
- No sunbathing. Over time, the sun’s UV rays can fade your board and can even cause damage to the PVC materials that your board is made of.
- It’s not a table. Avoid using it as such. You shouldn’t be putting anything on it that could puncture or ruin the material such as forks, knives, etc.
Now that you have down the basics, let’s get into some less obvious care items.
Is it ok to leave an inflatable paddle board inflated?
Most inflatable board brands and experts will tell you that it’s okay to leave your board inflated if you don’t feel like going through the 5 or so minutes of “take-down” each time you return from the water. That being said, it’s in your best interest to not leave your board inflated indefinitely and you’ll want to to deflate it every once in a while to avoid consistently stretching the material. Personally, I choose to deflate my board to avoid quicker wear and tear as it doesn’t really take much time to do (and that’s with me using a manual pump). Either way, make sure you always show your board some love and rinse it off and let it fully dry before you store it.
How should I clean my inflatable paddle board after each use?
Cleaning your inflatable board is pretty simple and recommendations on what to use to hose down or clean your board may vary depending on the brand. For my board, which is a BOTE HD Aero, it is recommended to only spray down with water.
Other brands may recommend cleaning your board with a simple combination of water, dish soap and a soft brush. I’d recommend checking your board’s care guidelines for specifics on how to properly clean your board after each adventure. Regardless, you’ll definitely want to make sure you rinse off all the dirt, sand and other marine things that could otherwise deteriorate your board or cause bacteria to build up.
Also as we mentioned above, make sure that your board is completely dry before rolling it up to avoid mold and mildew.
Plus, who doesn’t like turning a few extra heads with a nice, clean board?!
How should I store my inflatable paddle board?
One thing you should definitely NOT do with an inflatable paddle board is store it outside exposed to the elements. You also don’t want to leave it in a vehicle as the temperatures can get too warm or even too cold, depending on your location. On the other hand, one of the best things about having an inflatable paddle board is that it can be easily stored and kept safely tucked away from any outside heat or other harsh conditions that could basically lead to the ultimate destruction of your inflatable board.
Most inflatable paddle boards come with their own bag. This will help to keep it dry and protected from the elements once stored away.
You can store it inside or in a garage – pretty much anywhere that is covered and has some form of ventilation.
And that in a nutshell is the basics guidelines for caring for an inflatable paddle board. Now that you’ve got all of that down, all that’s left to do is enjoy your next adventure!
If you’re interested in learning more about inflatable paddle boards, check out the Paddle Boarding section of this website.