My inflatable stand-up paddleboard (SUP) is deflating / has a leak

Is your SUP deflating?
If you're on this page, it's because you're experiencing a problem with your inflatable stand-up paddleboard . You've come to the right place to resolve this issue and get back to enjoying your paddles with peace of mind. Before you start looking for potential leaks on your paddleboard, keep in mind that the air temperature (inside/outside the board) can affect the pressure inside your board.

Is your SUP deflating?

If you're on this page, it's because you're experiencing a problem with your inflatable stand-up paddleboard . You've come to the right place to resolve this issue and get back to enjoying your paddles with peace of mind. Before you start looking for potential leaks on your paddleboard, keep in mind that the air temperature (inside/outside the board) can affect the pressure inside your board.

Before addressing a leak, you first need to understand why your paddleboard is deflating. This could be due to misuse (friction against the ground, impact with rocks, etc.), normal wear and tear (loose valve), or poor manufacturing quality. The manufacturing quality of "low-cost" paddleboards is often the primary cause of leaks. Indeed, to reduce the retail price, the paddleboard must be cheaper to manufacture.

Factories use tarpaulin, the same material used for waterproof bags, while we use rigid inflatable boat PVC. To reduce the amount of raw materials, low-priced paddleboards are made of only a single layer of PVC; they are "single-layer." In contrast, we sell "double-layer" paddleboards. This single layer is much more fragile and delicate than a double layer, which will last twice as long.

The rails of the board are also single-layered on low-end paddleboards, whereas they should have at least two layers to resist and stiffen the SUP.

FIND THE LEAK

To find a leak in a SUP that's deflating, you first need to inflate it (13 psi is sufficient for this). As with a bicycle inner tube, the easiest way to find the leak is to use soapy water. The best method is to spray the water onto the board and note with a pen where small bubbles form. The larger the bubbles, the bigger the leak.

Leaks are usually located along the paddle rails or at the valve.

THE VALVE

The most common leak problem on a paddleboard occurs at the inflation valve. This is a recurring issue because the valve is used every time the board is inflated and deflated.

It's very easy to adjust thanks to the valve wrench included in your repair kit. The valve consists of two parts screwed together. The first is inside the paddleboard, between the dropstitch fabric, and the second is on the outside, the part you use to inflate your board. After repeated use of your stand-up paddleboard, these two parts can become loose, allowing air to escape. Simply insert the wrench into the valve and tighten the upper part into the lower part. It's best to do this when your paddleboard is deflated.

At this stage you have solved the most common leak problem.

THE RAILS: A RECURRING PLACE FOR DEFLATED PADDLEBOARDS

The rails are particularly prone to leaks because they are the junction between the top and bottom layers of PVC. The risk of leaks is even greater if you own a low-end, single-layer paddleboard. These budget models are not built to last; for example, only one layer of PVC is applied to the rails, even though this is the area most subject to impact. Furthermore, the rails must provide a watertight seal between the top and bottom of the board. This single layer on the rails is insufficient, making them fragile and significantly less rigid.

To repair a leak in a rail, you must first pinpoint the exact location of the leak and mark it with a pen so you don't lose it. Next, get some fast-drying glue, like super glue, and a vacuum cleaner. Start by deflating the board and creating a vacuum by connecting the vacuum cleaner to the valve. Once that's done, inject the glue into the hole. It will be drawn in and seal the leak. Finally, press down on the glued area with a thin, sturdy (but not sharp) object for about 5 minutes. Then let your paddleboard dry for a few hours before reinflating it and spraying it with soapy water to ensure there are no remaining leaks.