Introduction
Do you want to keep your Stand Up Paddle (SUP) boards working well for a long time?
Arguably the fastest growing water sport, Stand Up Paddleboarding combines the motions of kayaking and surfing, making it a very attractive water sport for many people.
Some tools and accessories are standard to this fun water sport, and knowing the maintenance practices for each device will help you enjoy your paddleboarding for many years.
The first accessory you’ll need is the SUP board itself. This board is unique and different from other water boards in that it is longer and, most of all, inflatable.
The ability to deflate it and roll it up into a backpack gives it easy portability. This portability is a clear advantage over other types of boards where you might need to strap a board to the top of your van.
Another essential accessory is the SUP paddle that you use to propel your board forward on the water while you stand on it.
The SUP electric pump is another essential accessory, and perhaps the most important one as you really cannot do anything without it. The reason is that your board is inflatable and requires a pump to inflate it before you can launch it into the water.
However, the boards themselves usually come with a manual pump upon purchase of the SUP boards.
But here is the thing!
The manual boards will take quite some time and require some energy which might be counterproductive since you need the energy to paddle yourself.
What’s more? Old folks and younger ones might also not be able to muster the kind of energy required to pump the board manually in good time to start enjoying the fun water experience they desire.
The manual pump’s stress and headaches are why the electric SUP pump is preferred and popular for inflation of the SUP boards.
Making your choice of SUP pump
It can be somewhat daunting making the right choice for a SUP pump giving the many varieties of SUP pump out there.
However, we can recommend Airephant brand which is a very good SUP pump. This pump has some of the best features that you might want to have in an effective SUP pump. These features include:
1. Reduced noise level.
This is a major concern for most SUP pumps. The rotating component of most SUP pumps turns with so much force that it causes noise pollution for people around which makes it so annoying. However, Airephant has developed one of the most silent SUP pumps in the industry making pumping your paddleboard in public such a peaceful thing to do.
2. Rate of pumping
The Airephant SUP pump has one of the fastest pumping rates in the industry. It has the capacity to fully pump a paddleboard in just 8 minutes which can be as much as 7 minutes faster than some other brands.
3. Durability
This property ensures that the SUP pump lasts for a very long time. The damaging effect of a simple drop to the ground for other pumps can be high. Whereas Airephant is built to be sturdy and to withstand some levels of roughness within reasonable limits.
4. Auto-stop
Though not present in many SUP pumps, the Airephant has an auto-stop function that ensures that paddleboards are not under-inflated or over-inflated. The auto-stop button also ensures that the right air pressure is pumped into the paddleboard to give an amazing SUP experience.
5. Versatile.
The use of SUP pumps for pumping any other thing apart from a paddleboard is usually uncommon seeing that the SUP pump is specially designed for certain pressure ranges. Nonetheless, the Airephant SUP pump is versatile and can pump other things like balls, inflatable mattresses, and even tires. But what’s more, is that Airephant can be used to pump two paddle boards simultaneously.
One more thing to note is that the Airephant has the option to connect to a 220V power source provided that a 220V to 12V inverter is used together with it.
Daily maintenance of the SUP electric pump
Electric SUP pump saves you a great deal of time when compared to the manual pumping method. However, good maintenance practice is what will ensure that your electric SUP pump does not suddenly pack up in the middle of pumping your SUP board.
Here is what you can do to avoid this kind of situation.
Firstly, you need to know the capacity of the electric SUP pump. Most of these pumps come as a 12V appliance since most are connected to the battery power of cars. Plugging it into a power source higher than 12V can become its undoing.
Secondly, avoid storing in places with excessive heat or in places that are open to the sun’s direct heat. The reason is that heat can damage vital internal components of the device and can become useless in a little while. So, store your pumps in a cool, dry place.
Likewise, please don’t use it continuously for more than 20 minutes as it can get scorching during use. In a case where you want to pump more than one SUP board, always shut it down to cool off for some time each use before using it to pump another board. You can as well find a shaded place to put it while in use.
Be mindful of the power cords as rough handling and tight winding for some power cables can cause an internal breakage. This internal disconnection, if it happens, can lead to ineffective workings of the pump, and you might need to replace the cables or even the entire electric SUP pump.
Lastly, always find a flat place on the ground to put the pump while in use. The vibration of some brands is high, and they can fall off a high platform and break if they fall on the ground.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. The essential things you need to consider if you must keep using your SUP board for ages to come.
Knowing the basic accessories accompanying your board and the best maintenance culture is key to your SUP board’s longevity.
The electric SUP pump has been highlighted as a very important accessory to your SUP board, and following the maintenance processes underlined in this article is vital.
There are yet other additional accessories that can come in handy like the dry bags for keeping your personal effects dry while in the water, paddleboard bungees, snorkel and fins, life jacket, go pro camera, floating sunglasses, and kayak seat.
All these accessories are not standard but will make your SUP boarding more enjoyable and fulfilling. It is also essential that you keep them well to continue enjoying your time out in the water.
You don’t want to be left hanging on the day you have anticipated to be fun-filled. Get these suggestions into practice before your next day out surfing in the waters.