Stand-up paddleboarding is one of the most fun activities available out there for people across all age groups and walks of life. It’s fun but it also helps to keep you active and fit. To get started paddleboarding, you will of course need to have access to aboard. Many people choose to purchase their own board outright and inflatable stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) are easily accessible thanks to their portability and durability. For this reason, they have become a staple among man paddleboarders; especially those just starting out. However, you will need to inflate your SUP. The most convenient and fastest way of doing this is with an electric pump. Here, we will walk you through how to inflate your SUP with an electric pump.
Types of SUP Pumps
There are 2 types of stand up paddle board pumps. These are:
- Manual
- Electric
Manual pumps don’t require a source of electricity to work but they require you to put in a lot of effort to get the paddle board inflated to the right pressure, which is usually around 15 PSI.
While electric pumps require a source of electricity, they require much less effort to operate. You simply have to plug them in to a power source and then set them and forget them. One of the most common power sources is your car’s electrical outlet.
SUP Electric Pump Instructions
Before getting started, make sure that you have everything that you need. You will need your pump, your gauge, and your board. Note that if you are using an inflatable pump that’s connected to your car’s 12V outlet, you will need to keep your car running while inflating to ensure that you don’t run down your car battery. After getting everything ready, follow these instructions:
- First, you will need to remove the closure cap from your board and turn the closure pin, making sure that it’s in the ‘up’ position. This means that the board is ready for inflation. The closure pin is pictured below.
- Set your pump to the final pressure that your board needs to be at. You will need to check the manual for your board to ensure that you get this right. If your board isn’t inflated to the right temperature, it won’t perform optimally while you’re on the water.
- Next, attach the hose from your pump to the board. You’ll have to twist it clockwise to do this.
- Start your pump and let it run. The first part of the inflation process will happen quickly. The second part of the inflation process will take a little bit longer but it’s necessary to get your board all the way up to the final pressure that it needs to be at. The pump will cut out once it’s done.
- After pumping is finished, twist the pump nozzle anti-clockwise quickly to disconnect it from the closure pin of the board. Doing this quickly will ensure that you don’t lose any air when you disconnect the pump nozzle.
- Replace the closure cap for your board and you’re done.
Wrapping Up
Inflatable SUPs are a great way to get into stand-up paddleboarding. They are portable and durable which makes it easy to do the activity you love. With an inflatable board, you will need a pump and electric ones are the most convenient. Just follow the instructions above and you will be able to get on the water with your SUP as quickly as possible every single time.