How to Store Your Hard Paddle Board

You'd rather not, but unfortunately, it’s now time for you to put away your board. Below are our recommendations for proper storage of hard paddle boards. 

What you will need :

  • Board 
  • Rag
  • Boardbag

Step 1 : Clean your paddle board

Wash your board to remove all dirt, salt, sand, and residue. Soak your rag in a mix of water and a gentle,  biodegradable soap (half/half) and wash the surface of the board thoroughly. Then, with a hose or a bucket of fresh water, rinse it well. Don't forget to clean your paddle and accessories.  

 *IMPORTANT: avoid strong products, chemicals, or solvents. 

 

Step 2 : Let your paddle board dry

Ton paddle board doit être entièrement sec avant de l'entreposer. Si la planche est légèrement humide, avec les écarts de température, c'est pas bon! Tu ne veux pas avoir des odeurs spéciales! 

 

Step 3 : Where to store it?

You've done steps 1 to 3, now you need to find the best place to store it. Here are a few things you should know: 

Do I need to store my SUP in a board bag ?

It is always recommended to store your board in a bag. A board bag will protect your board during transportation, but also from extreme weather conditions and humidity. Note that the bag must be COMPLETELY dry and clean before inserting your paddle board. 

TIP

The best places to store your paddle board are in dry, insulated and, ideally, heated areas! Whether you store it in a house, a basement or in a garage, the important thing to remember is not to store your board in a spot that’s either very cold or very hot. If you can store your board indoors: wonderful! You can even make Pinterest-worthy home deco with it! 

 

STORING YOUR BOARD IN YOUR GARAGE, GOOD OR BAD IDEA ?

It depends on the temperature! If we don't recommend leaving boards in places well below freezing, storing them in a garage where it's 0°C is not so dramatic. Ideally, you want to avoid extreme temperature fluctuations. Canadian winters, which are rather cold, may affect the temperature in your garage if it isn’t heated, making it not an ideal location for storage. Keep in mind that your board is made of foam: a material filled with air, and extremely sensitive to thermal expansion. Like any object that gets very cold, it can become brittle. To avoid this, try to find a warm place for It. 

SHOULD I REMOVE ALL FINS AND ACCESSORIES FROM MY SUP ?

Yes, it’s preferable to remove any accessories from your SUP such as the fins and leash, to avoid scuffing or damaging during storage. Ideally, keep everything in the same place or jot down where all your equipment is stored. It will be useful the following summer. 

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

At all times, avoid :

  • Sun exposure: Ultraviolet rays can discolour and damage your board. 
  •  Humidity: A damp environment can lead to mold and weaken the seams. 
  •  Extreme temperatures: Exposure to hot temperatures (sun or other can cause discolouration or premature wear on your board. 

Distribute weight evenly: A SUP can deform due to uneven weight distribution. When storing your board, make sure that it is stable and that its weight is supported at several points along its length. padded supports or large nylon straps, for example 

Avoid pressure points: whether you hang your SUP, place it on a support or rest it against a wall, always avoid pressure points - your SUP is not a shelf! Also, make sure your board doesn’t get stuck by storing it in a confined area. Long-term pressure can distort your SUP. 

Consider ease of access: you want your SUP to be handy so that you can get it out as soon as spring comes 

    All that said, know that you can still get out on the water in the winter. To prepare yourself, check out our blog on Making the most of winter.

     

    Happy winter !