Okay, picture this.
It’s a Sunday. I’ve got my shades on, a smoothie in hand (pineapple-ginger, don’t sleep on it), and my trusty paddle board strapped to the roof of my sun-faded Jeep. Life is good. I’m humming Bob Marley tunes like I’m the opening act at a beach festival, driving straight toward the horizon… and then I see it. A crack. Not in the sky. Not in the universe. But in my board.
My heart drops like a rock in saltwater.
Turns out, this wasn’t just any crack—it was the “you-left-me-in-the-sun-too-long-and-I-hate-you-now” kind of crack. And just like that, my mellow Sunday took a nosedive into “paddle board triage.”
That’s when I realized something painfully obvious: if you want your paddle board to love you back, you’ve gotta show it a little TLC.
The Harsh Truth I Was Avoiding
Now, I’ll be real with you—I used to treat my SUP like it was indestructible. Saltwater? Rinse it next time. Sun exposure? Eh, what’s a few rays, right? Storage? I left it leaning against the side of my garage like a forgotten surfboard tombstone.
Spoiler alert: paddle boards do not take kindly to being neglected.
The damage had been creeping in slowly. A little discoloration here, a couple of soft spots there. And then came the crack that made me Google:
“how to fix paddle board that looks like it’s mad at me”
Step One: Learn What Your Board’s Made Of
First off, every SUP has a personality—and I’m not just saying that because I talk to mine when no one’s around. Is it an epoxy board? Inflatable? A soft top? Each one has its own maintenance routine.
Mine’s an epoxy board, which means it’s basically a foam core wrapped in fiberglass and resin—lightweight, strong, and prone to dramatic breakdowns if ignored. It’s like the Ferrari of the paddle board world: sleek, fast, and high-maintenance.
Inflatables are a bit more chill, like the reggae version of epoxy—soft, flexible, easygoing. But they’ve got their own drama (more on that in a sec).
My Redemption Arc: A Maintenance Routine That Stuck
So, I made a vow. No more flaky paddle parenting. I sketched out a weekly maintenance ritual that I now treat with the reverence of Sunday football or meal prep. Here’s my (slightly obsessive) checklist:
✅ After Every Paddle Session:
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Rinse it down. I use a gentle hose spray, not a pressure washer like I used that one time (RIP the paint job).
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Dry it off. Saltwater and moisture are low-key villains, especially if you store your board damp. Mold is real, and it smells like feet.
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Check for dings. If I spot one, I slap some epoxy putty on it like I’m icing a cake. The waterproof kind, not the Betty Crocker kind.
☀️ Weekly Sunshine Detox:
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UV Protection. I started using this marine-safe UV spray that smells like coconuts and regret. Keeps the board from sunburning (yes, that’s a thing).
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Inspect the fin box. Sand loves hiding there like it pays rent. I keep a toothbrush handy (not mine—I swear).
Monthly “Paddle Spa Day”:
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Deflate if it’s inflatable. Let that baby breathe.
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Check PSI. Inflatable friends, don’t skip this. Low pressure = sad performance.
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Tighten screws. Because your fin falling off mid-paddle is a core memory I don’t want you to have.
Lessons from the Ocean (And My Own Laziness)
The ocean is humbling, man. It doesn’t care if you spent $1,200 on your board or got it used off Craigslist from a guy named Cliff who smelled suspiciously like bait. It will mess up your gear equally if you’re careless.
Paddle board maintenance taught me to slow down. Not everything has to be a rush to the next Instagram-worthy cove. Sometimes, the rhythm of washing your board, checking your gear, and soaking in that pre-sunset light is the experience.
Plus, taking care of your SUP means it’ll take care of you. Fewer surprise repairs. Better glide. Longer life. Win-win.
Bonus Tip: Name Your Board
Look, I get it. Naming your board sounds silly. But the moment I started calling mine “Big Blue” (even though it’s mostly green, but whatever), I started treating it with more respect. It wasn’t just gear—it was a sidekick.
Treat your gear like a partner in crime, and it’ll return the love. Unless it’s inflatable, then treat it like a toddler with asthma. Still love, just… carefully.
Final Thoughts: Paddle With Purpose, Store With Love ♂️
I used to think maintenance was for the Type A paddlers—the ones who catalog their GoPro footage and have matching neoprene water shoes. But honestly? It’s for everyone who wants to paddle more and repair less.
So whether you’re riding waves, floating lazily down a river, or racing your cousin to that sandbar (and winning, obviously), take care of your board like it’s part of the adventure. Because it is.
Now if you’ll excuse me, Big Blue and I have a date with the ocean—and this time, I’m bringing sunscreen for both of us
Stay salty. But keep your board clean.