Like many other ocean and fresh water watercraft stand up paddle boards can be very susceptible to damage from any number of sources- seawater, the sun, general wear and tear and issues that may come with transportation or age. However if you are able to follow some rules you can greatly diminish the possible damage that may come with stand up paddle board related issues. In the following quick guide, I will outline some of the major risks that stand up paddle boards face and some great tips on caring for your stand up paddle board.
Buy a Protective Carrier or Bag For Your Stand Up Paddle Board
Much like surfboards, kayaks and other large watercraft stand up paddle boards often suffer destruction when going from place to place. You can help to avoid damage from dropping or banging your stand up paddle board during transport by purchasing a quality protective case. A properly made bag or case will also help to fit your board in whatever transportation you use to get to and from the water in a safe manner. This goes especially for those people who are storing racks on the top of their cars or trucks. Also when booking a flight or boat ride it helps whoever is handling your luggage to easily avoid damaging your board.
Make Sure To Properly Store Your Board When Not in Use
When you are not using or transporting your board you want to make sure you are storing it in optimal conditions. This means that you put the board out of the sun when being stored since the sun can greatly damage a board with overexposure. While most stand up paddle boards are built to stand up to the sun nothing can do so forever. Basically keep your board in a cool dry place and it will last much longer and look much nicer over the long term.
Use Your Board in Proper Areas
There are many hazards in the ocean or whatever water you use your board in. This includes rocks and shallow areas that can do tremendous damage to even the sturdiest of boards. If you use your board in areas like this make sure to mind your surroundings and avoid any hazards. This is also a fantastic safety tip to make sure that your operation of your board is as safe and fun as possible. Most hazards come when you start paddling out- once you get on the open water there are usually not any hazards other than people also swimming or using watercraft so stay aware and it will go a long way.
Look For Any Body Damage and Repair Immediately
One of the biggest causes for stand up paddle board issues are small cuts and breaks in the board. These will happen as a result of wear and tear and natural hazards but can become very problematic very quickly if not dealt with immediately. If this happens to you go out of your way to make sure that any scratches, bumps or dents etc are repaired immediately in the correct way. Repairing the board incorrectly can actually make things worse so if you are not sure take it to someone who knows what they are doing. Typically surf and beach shops have helpful and knowledgeable staff on hand so check there first.
Taking care of your stand up paddle board is mostly common sense. If you follow the tips and rules that we went over you should not have any issues aside from freak accidents that can always happen in life- so take care of your board so it can take care of you.