It’s F***ing Hot!

A little Q&A about Summer Heat and its affect on inflatable paddle boards (Don’t worry. We got you!)

What are we really talking about here? Well, we’re talking about those seams on your inflatable paddle board busting open and ruining your perfect summer day on the water. What could be the cause? If it’s 100˚F outside with the sun beating down, I’m guessing the air chambers of your paddle board have become over-expanded. How? Read on to find out the straight skinny.

Before we go any further, let’s define “psi”. We’re going to be referring to it throughout this article. Plus, you should know it anyway! PSI is an acronym for pounds per square inch. It’s the pressure resulting from a force of one pound applied to an area of one square inch. And, pressure is affected by lots of environmental factors, which we’ll get into in this article.

Does heat affect my inflatable paddle board?

Temperature fluctuations (along with atmospheric pressure changes) cause change in the pressure inside the air chambers of your inflatable paddle board. In normal operating/paddling conditions, 15 psi is generally the recommended air pressure for both the drop stitch main deck as well as for any supplemental pontoons. However, the high summer temperatures that we’ve been experiencing across the U.S. are anything but normal (although, they might be the new norm). An air pressure of 15 psi might be way too high when the temps rise into the 90s and 100s F.

So, what if I leave my inflatable board under the sun on a hot sunny day, regardless of whether it was deflated or inflated?

Heat increases the air pressure inside an inflatable paddle board if it’s left under the sun on a hot, summer day. So, if the pressure inside was already super high (ie. 15+ psi), the pressure might become a bit too high and have some negative affects (ie. busted seams). So if the “max air pressure” for an inflatable paddle board shows “15 psi” on your air valve, lowering that pressure to 10 psi gives those air chambers a little room for expansion as temps rise without damaging the seams.

The moral to this story: 10 psi is the magic number! If you want to maximize the life of your inflatable paddle board, don’t stress it out by allowing extreme pressures and over-inflation! 10 psi will keep your board in good shape during this scorching summer heat.

Why is the color of my inflatable paddle board fading?

Who doesn’t like a nice, sunny day for a little paddle sesh. If you paddle in the sun regularly, an issue you’ll have to deal with is UV radiation. UV rays can absolutely be detrimental to PVC (which most inflatable paddle boards are made of). Just about all inflatable paddle boards have UV blocking additives in the PVC fabric, but those additives don’t block all the UV rays. It’s only a matter of time before the UV radiation starts to break down the PVC material. Keeping the board under shade when you’re not using it can greatly prolong the life of that PVC. You can also apply UV blocking screen onto the PVC from time to time for added protection from the sunlight. Excessive sun will also cause the colors to fade. What a drag!

I usually start my paddle in the morning. Do I need to worry about heat?

If you start your paddle in the morning, keep in mind that the temperatures will rise while you’re out there. Inflate your paddle board to 10 psi. As the temps increase, the air pressure inside your board will increase too. Starting at 10 psi will give your board room for air expansion in the higher temps. Depending on where you are in the world, temps in the evening will vary. Here in Texas, it’s still pretty hot as the sun goes down. Generally 12-13 psi will be appropriate as those temps cool. Bottom line: be mindful of the heat!

How should I care for my board on a long, hot day on the water?

If you plan to spend the day on the water on a long, sunny day, try to find a shady spot for your board between paddle sessions. At home, store your board someplace where it won’t be in direct sunlight.

How should I transport my inflatable paddle board during summer months?

Avoid transporting your board on top of your vehicle for long distances during the summer heat. If you do, make sure to deflate some of the air from each chamber prior to transport.

How should I roll up my deflated paddle board?

Rinse and dry your board thoroughly before deflating and rolling. (A. Mold and bacteria thrive in damp, poorly ventilated environments, and B. It’ll stink the next time you go paddling.) Don’t roll it up too tightly. The tighter you roll, the more stress you put on the seams. After rolling it up, place it in a carry bag for transport and storage to protect the board.

How should I store my board when I’m not using it?

Store your board out of direct sunlight when it’s not in use… and away from the elements. A dry, cool storage spot is ideal. Excessive exposure to sun and heat can cause the glued seams to fail and compromise your board. At the next inflation those weakened spots could become vulnerable to delamination, ripping or bulging.

Stay cool out there! Happy paddling.

Brock Munson | Contributor
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