How to Care For Your SUP
Taking care of you SUP is really very simple. If you follow this info, owning a board is very low maintenance and will last a lifetime when properly cared for.
Boardcare
-The first and most important thing to know about your SUP board is that although they love to play in the sun, they DO NOT LIKE TO BAKE in the sun.
-All Stand Up Paddle boards and even Surfboards should not be exposed to prolonged direct sun when not being used in the water.
-If a board's surface is warm or hot to the touch, then it should be moved to a shaded area. Otherwise the EPS core inside a board will break down and melt. This is especially true when sitting on the roof of your car in the hot sun. Infinity SUP (or any board manufacturer) does not warranty sun related damage. IE: delamination, melting, bubbling of the skin, or discoloration.
-Always use a UV cover or padded board bag after use. Even still covered, the sun's rays will be the most harmful element to your SUP board so try and keep your board out of the sun whenever possible.
Here is some info on your board and how to keep it in a good condition to enjoy for many years to come.
De-Lamination:
Since our boards are a molded sandwich / vacuum bagged construction this is rare, in fact typically the EPS will melt and cave in before delamination due to the increased bond we create in manufacturing Infinity SUP's. However, it's important to know this information since the core of all SUP boards are shaped from a foam called EPS. EPS foam consists of foam, gasses, and air bubbles. When your board is left in the sun these gasses and air heat up and expands the inside of your board. If they expand too much, the pressure will push on the hard shell of the board and may cause the fiberglass shell to detach from the foam core. This is called de-lamination and can result in air bubbles being trapped between the foam core and fiberglass shell.
To avoid de-lamination or melted EPS follow these simple steps to ensure a long life for your SUP board.
Your SUP board has a Gore-Tex Vent Plug: The plastic Gore-Tex vent plug is used to keep water out of the core of the board but at the same time allows hot air to vent out of the plug. Because it vents the board automatically, please do not loosen or remove the plug. It is very easy to over tighten it and snap the cap off. There is no reason for you to remove this vent. After your paddle, simply rinse it out and blow it free of debris whenever possible to ensure it works correctly. Always store your board in a covered, shaded space in a cover or board bag is also encouraged.
Fading / Discoloration:
We us UV resistance materials on all of our boards. Over time exposure to the sun can cause the colors to fade. Fading will not affect the performance of the board, but it will affect the look of the beauty of the board. To avoid fading always store your SUP in a cover or shady area out of reach of direct sunlight. This includes driving to and from the water, going in to the store, etc. NEVER leave your board uncovered for pro-longed amounts of time.
When done paddling make sure to dry your board off before you put it away in your rack or protective cover. If you leave a wet board in a bag or cover it wont have enough time to dry and this lingering water can "stain" your finish leaving a yellowish tint to the board. After you paddle rinse your board with fresh water and dry it off and store it away dry.
Dings, Cracks, Scratches:
Your SUP is made with the finest materials available. Very light and strong with a fantastic strength to weight ratio. With that said, if you whack or hit something hard enough it's going to get a ding. When a ding occurs and water is entering foam core this is a big NO NO. Leave the water immediately and do not paddle your board until it has been repaired and is fully sealed. EPS soaked up water like a sponge and it happens fast. Never use your board with even the smallest hole.
When repairing your board you will need to use EPOXY resin, surfboard fiberglass or carbon fiber. Do not fix your board before it is completely dry.
-Do not run your board on to the beach, shoreline, lake front, or rock bed. Many people paddle and ram their board into the sand then step off. Stop before the nose hits then step off the board.
-Do not stand on the board before the water is deep enough to no catch your fin. Many people jump on their board before there is enough water for the fin to clear because they don't want their feet to get wet. Do this and you will damage your fin box and fin.
-Just like anything your SUP can scratch if it comes into contact with something sharp. Paddlers with poor technique scratch boards easily. If you are prone to whacking your rails, we suggest protective rail tape or better yet investing in some solid SUP coaching to get your stroke technique dialed.
-Do not death cinch your board to your roof rack. This causes indentions, creases and in some cases crushing into the core of the board. Use roof rack pads and cushioning (pool noodles, towels, etc) in between multiple boards. Do not cinch the buckle on the corners or rails of the board. Specific roof racks like the "SUP Taxi" are excellent options.