How to keep your SUP from feeling the heat

Long days on the water and in the sun are what summer is all about. But with warm weather conditions come precautions that must be taken to ensure your safety and the safety of your inflatable paddle board. iROCKER boards are built to last, but it’s important to maintain your board and minimize any unnecessary risks. Follow these guidelines to ensure your inflatable SUP is in tip top shape for a season of sun-filled adventures.

Never Overinflate an Inflatable SUP

The most important rule when it comes to inflatable SUPs is applicable no matter the temperature. All iROCKER SUPs are designed to hold a maximum of 23 PSI. However, we recommend you inflate your board to no more than 15 PSI. There is no added benefit of inflating past 15 PSI and the remaining room at 15 PSI allows the air inside the board to expand should it become heated. If you overinflate your board and then the air heats and expands, it has nowhere to go, which can put excess pressure on the board’s seams and even cause them to fail.

 

Never Leave an Inflated SUP Out in the Sun

While there is room left in your board at 15 PSI for air to warm and expand, it’s never a good idea to leave your inflated board out in the sun, whether that’s on hot sand at the beach while you take a paddle break or on grass or a dock. If you need to take a break but don’t have access to any shade, let a bit of air out of your board so that the air inside has even more room to expand in the sun. The best practice though is to avoid leaving your inflated board in the sun.

An inflated board that is in direct sunlight but being used on the water should be inflated to 15 PSI as the water will act to cool the air inside the board. No need to let any air out!

 

Never Leave an Inflated SUP in Your Car

A car's interior can heat up by an average of 40 degrees F within an hour, regardless of ambient temperature. Even a car parked in the shade can become very hot, very fast. The quick expansion of air inside your board can put excess pressure on the board’s seams, causing leaks or, in worst case scenarios, a blown-up board. If you have to leave your board in your car, deflate it entirely to ensure there is no damage done to either the board or your car.

Inflatable paddle boards are incredibly convenient, portable, and fun! But like any outdoor gear, they can take a beating from the elements. If you’re ever in doubt, the best course of action is to deflate. It only takes 12 minutes to reinflate your board with an electric pump. Save yourself the worry and aggravation of replacing a board by taking the proper precautions and make years of memories on the water!

For warranty questions regarding heat-related failures and other issues, please visit our Warranty Page.

The beach calls. The ocean beckons. Will you answer? Paddle boarding on the ocean makes for a unique adventure. It’s just you and the tide. Sometimes, the waves are relaxing. Sometimes, they’re challenging. Either way, ocean paddle boarding offers a distinct experience that can’t be matched when paddle boarding on a lake, pond, or river. If you’re new to paddle boarding on the ocean, there are plenty of variables that can take you by surprise. But that shouldn’t discourage you from heading out and experiencing the ocean for yourself! Check out these tips, grab your inflatable paddle board, and get ready for a memorable session on the water!

Never Paddle on the Ocean Alone

It’s a good rule of thumb to use the buddy system any time you’re on the water. From swimming to paddle boarding to jet skiing, partnering with someone who can have your back in an emergency is a must. When you’re paddle boarding at sea, stay where you can see others. It could be other people you’re out on the water with or some friends on shore. This is especially important when you are paddle boarding in areas where a lifeguard might not be present. When you rely on the buddy system, you always have someone who you can call out to for help or who can offer assistance if you need it.

Watch for Rip Currents

One of the biggest challenges of paddle boarding at the beach is rip currents. These potentially dangerous currents are hard to see. If you get stuck in one, it can be hard to get out. Rip currents can look like darker spots in the water. There’s usually a lack of waves in the surrounding water, as well. If you see a spot on the water that looks suspiciously dark and calm, stay away. If you unexpectedly find yourself caught in a rip current, the most important thing to do is stay calm. Try to relax and focus on paddling (or swimming, if you’ve fallen into the water), parallel to the shore. Your goal is to get back into choppier water. If you paddle directly toward the beach, you risk the chance of getting swept in the opposite direction, away from shore—and you’ll end up expending a lot of energy. Keep calm and paddle parallel!

Always Use Your Leash

Most inflatable paddle boards come with an ankle leash. And if you don’t have one, you can—and should—easily get one. One end of the leash attaches to your ankle and the other stays connected to your SUP. Whether you’re cruising in calm waters or surfing with your board, the leash keeps you attached to your board should you fall into the water. Because the ocean is huge and currents can be unpredictable and dangerous, staying connected to your SUP is essential. You don’t want it being taken away by a wave. An paddle board leash ensures you always have a way to get back to your board and back to safety. And that’s really what safe ocean paddle boarding is all about: expecting the unexpected and being prepared, just in case.

About iROCKER

Paddle boarding season starts right now, and iROCKER is your partner on the water! They’re your number one source for all the paddle boarding gear you could possibly want. From inflatable paddle boards to hard boards and inflatable docks, iROCKER has something for everyone. Already have a SUP? Don’t worry! They also have plenty of gear and accessories to take your adventures to the next level. Get a cooler to strap to the back of your board and bring the party onto the lake! Want to turn your inflatable SUP into a kayak? iROCKER has the SUP to Kayak Conversion Kit for you. And don’t forget a waterproof Bluetooth speaker! It doesn’t matter if you’re a paddle boarding newbie or you’ve been getting out on the water for years, iROCKER helps keep you inspired for your next excursion.

Find all the gear you need to paddle board on the ocean at iROCKER.

Here in the Canadian Rockies, many of the most scenic and rewarding waters to paddle are concealed by soaring peaks and passes in the backcountry. Vivid blue tarns dot fortress-like mountain bowls, and emerald-green lakes collect in pine-forested valleys below tree line. Although there’s no shortage of beautiful water accessible by vehicle, there is a seemingly endless supply of backcountry adventure available to those willing to travel beyond the end of the pavement.

Thankfully, modern SUPs—and high-quality carrying bags—offer the lightweight portability required to access off-the-beaten-path locations in relative comfort. With total paddleboard setups weighing less than the average overnight backpack, new and experienced hikers alike can enjoy these mountain gems in a completely new and exciting way!

My journey with iROCKER began with a search for the perfect hike-and-paddle setup. After much consideration, I purchased all-around for its functionality, and the BLACKFIN X for its enhanced stability and gear-hauling capacity.

Depending on the outing, I mix and match pieces between the two setups. If I’m not walking far, or plan on transporting gear across the water. I’ve carried both setups to backcountry locations without much trouble, in some cases many miles and thousands of feet up in the alpine. Here, I’ll touch on a few of the important considerations for those wanting to reap the breathtaking (no pun intended!) rewards of hike-in SUPs.