Discovering new environments often means that you will be exploring territory that is still unknown to you. These places might contain sharp objects like rocks that you don’t know of — such hazards might cause damage to your SUP. Even though most inflatable SUPs boards can take a beating, sometimes a small leak can’t be prevented. Fortunately, most brands sell their boards with a repair kit. Here, we show how to properly fix your board should it take a beating at the hands of rocks.
- The Tools
The repair kit that comes with your board should contain patches, brushes, glue, and a tool-pen. Start by taking scissors and using them to cut up the patches. Using soap and a piece of cloth, clean the surface of the board, and you are ready to begin the fixing process.
- Clean the Surface of the Leak
Find the source of the leak on your SUP and start cleaning the surface of the board. Tip: if you’re having problems finding the leak, inflate your SUP a little, then apply water to the area and see where bubbles appear. Use the soap and apply it to the cloth to clean the SUP.
- Get a Patch Ready
Depending on which area of your SUP the leak is found, take the matching color, then use the scissors to cut out a piece that’s big enough to cover the hole. Once cut, clean your SUP once more with the cloth.
- Apply the Glue
Once the patch is ready, it is time to apply the glue. Take the brush, put some glue on it, and apply it to both the patch and the surface of your SUP. Work your way from the center to the edges. Make sure to use enough glue on the patch and the surface, about the same size as the patch.
- Apply the Patch
Now that there is enough glue, you can apply the patch to the board’s surface. Make sure to press the patch firmly on the SUP to remove any unevenness. Once the piece is glued on the SUP, clean the entire area, and remove excess glue. If necessary, you can use some acetone to help you get rid of stubborn glue.
- Done!
Congratulations; you have just repaired your SUP! We know you can’t wait to get on the water again, but for the best results, it is best to wait 24 hours before using your SUP again. That is probably the hardest step in the repair process, but this is advised to make sure the glue has completely dried up. However, the rewards will be satisfying once it has thoroughly dried — in just one day, you can see your family and friends on the water again!