A fantastic outdoor activity or beach sport is stand-up paddle boarding. There is nothing better than paddling on cold water on a hot summer day. If you’re not careful, the weather outside can potentially damage your paddle.
Use these care and upkeep suggestions to extend the life of your paddle.
Look out for Sun Damage
The purpose of your paddle is obviously to paddle on a bright day, but when you’re not using your board, it should be kept out of direct sunlight. Most well-crafted paddles are built of an expanded polystyrene core that is waterproof, enclosed in layers of fiberglass, and coated with transparent epoxy.
The gas and air inside the foam may overheat and expand due to heat from the sun, putting pressure on the fiberglass and epoxy skin. In that case, the layers of the fiberglass may start to peel away from the foam core or bubble, crack, or split.
Deck pads are joined to the exterior epoxy finish using glue, which can degrade in scorching temperatures. By allowing the air to leave, paddle vent plugs, letting air through while keeping water out, will lessen this pressure, but they won’t completely stop the damage from extreme heat.
A straightforward approach to prevent this potentially significant damage is to store your paddle in a shaded area away from the sun.
Dry it out
Drying should be applied to your paddle as you make your beach wear dry. The bacteria and other microbes in the water may harm the surface of the paddle, which defies logic for a product designed to be used in the water.
If you paddle in salt water, this is very crucial. A clean, dry board will also show any dents, scratches, or cracks you may have accrued throughout your excursion, allowing you to fix it before your next watersport activity.
Look after the Fin
It is simple to become preoccupied with your paddling journey and lose sight of the fin underneath you. When paddling in shallow water, avoid rocks, submerged trees, and other objects that could damage your fin.
To avoid cracking the fin, place your paddle deck-side down on the ground or a stand when storing it. Before long-term storage, we advise removing your fin and cleaning out any dust, sand, or grime that may have amassed in the fin box.
Fix Dents, Scuffs, and Cracks Right Away
Knees, elbows, or other objects that exert a lot of pressure on a small region can cause tiny pressure dents and concave indentations.
Extreme blunt force, such as slamming into rocks, piers, or other strenuous things, causes cracks and dings. You risk getting a severe scratch if you paddle over a rock in shallow water.
Any of these circumstances could expose the foam core to the environment, and if water seeps into unfixed cracks, your paddle will become less buoyant and perform worse.
Use a do-it-yourself epoxy ding repair kit for minor damage depending on the severity and your skill level but taking it to a fiberglass epoxy specialist for significant damage is generally a wise option.
Employ a Storage Bag
Similarly, to storing your watersport apparel in a storage bag, it should also be applied to your paddle.
Put your paddle in a paddle-specific storage bag Cotswold Outdoor. You do this if you are storing it for a long time. It is stored after you have washed and dried it. Ensure the fin is not attached.
Transport using ropes and roof pads
Use cross bar roof padding and exercise caution when tightening the straps to prevent damage to your paddle during transportation to the beach. To avoid cutting into the board, ensure the straps are snug but not too tight.
Prevention of Rust
Metal accents like the fin box can be found on some paddle boards. Take time to spray all the metal components on your board with household oil to prevent rust from accumulating.
Since paddles are made of marine-grade stainless steel, rust is typically not an issue. However, it does not hurt to give them some maintenance every few years.
Conclusion
Many things can affect your paddleboards, such as rocks and poor maintenance. You have to ensure you take good care of the paddle. If it has any damage, ensure to repair it quickly and store the paddle well. This will help increase the paddle’s lifespan.