The hot weather is here and its time to paddle. Like you, your board is never happier than when it is in the water. But what's the best way to take care of your board when it's not in the water? Below are some simple guidelines to follow in order to keep your board and paddle in tip-top shape for years to come. Remember: heat and direct sunlight are your board's worst enemy when it is out of the water.
By the way--these rules need to be followed for ALL SUPs and surfboards.
1. Try your best to keep the board out of direct sunlight when not in use.
By the way--these rules need to be followed for ALL SUPs and surfboards.
1. Try your best to keep the board out of direct sunlight when not in use.
2. Not a good idea to leave the board in your car for long periods of time on super hot days. If you must lock it in while you run into the store, crack the windows so as to allow air flow and ventilation. Be sure that the board is shielded from direct sunlight (by a towel, etc.) when it is in your car. On a 90 degree day the air inside of a parked car can reach 140 degrees, and the dash and anything else exposed to direct sunlight can reach 200+!!! That's bad news for your board.
3. If you have the board strapped to the roof of the car....
make sure your racks have pads. These will lessen the pressure between the board and racks when they are strapped down tight.
If you leave the car parked with the board strapped on top, try to park in the shade, or cover the board with towels, etc. Again direct sunlight = bad!
4. If you are storing the board in a garage or carport:
Keep the board in an area where there is the possibility of some air flow or ventilation, or at the very least where there is no possibility of sunlight peeking through to reach your board.
Remember heat rises. If you have the board on racks or stacked on top of something just make sure it is not up directly against the roof. The board could really start baking if it gets too close to the roof. DO NOT store your board in the rafters, especially if the roof is not insulated!
5. Try to fix dings as soon as possible.
Remember to fix them with epoxy resin and before you fix dings, make sure the board has had enough time out of the water to dry out a bit.
After you paddle-
It is a good idea to rinse the board off with fresh water and the paddle too. Every now and then take the paddle apart and spray some fresh water down through the shaft. Allow it to dry and put it back together
These are just a few helpful tips on caring for your new board--any board you have for that matter. They are built to stand up to the most extreme of elements, but no board likes the sun's harsh rays unless it's in the water. Treat them with care and love and they will give you years of enjoyment in return!
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