We often get asked for advice on how to inflate our inflatable Stand Up Paddleboards (SUPs). To be sure your first time out on the water is as fun as possible, you’ll want to review the following videos and instructions.
Quick Tips:
One of the most common mistakes tends to be under inflation of the board, so be sure you use an inflatable paddleboard pump that has an accurate pressure gauge, and be sure to inflate it to 15 psi. Properly inflated boards will feel solid under your feet. If the board is bending or feels soft when you stand on it, you’ll need to inflate it more.It’s common for any inflatable to lose air if it’s been sitting in the warm sun, and then makes contact with cold water. Be sure to have a hand operated sup board pump with you on the beach in case you need to re-inflate once your board has hit the water.
Inflating Your SUP With an Electric Power Pump
It should take about 10 minutes to fill your Airhead SUP using the Airhead Super High Pressure Air Pump.
IMPORTANT: If you are using your car battery to run the inflatable paddleboard pump, you should keep the car running while inflating to avoid draining the battery.
- Start by getting your pump, gauge, and board ready to go: Unroll your SUP and locate the pressure gauge at the bow or Stern of your board.
- Remove the cap and twist your closure pin to ensure it is in the "up" position, which means it’s ready for inflation.
- Grab your pump, attach the hose to the side marked “inflation” and set it to 15 psi.
- Attach the other end of the hose to your valve by twisting it to the right to lock.
- Now start the inflation process. You’ll notice that the first bit goes quickly and the pump starts to work harder as it nears the recommended 15 psi. You even hear a change in the sound of the motor as it works harder to inflate towards the end.
- Once you've reached 15 psi, the sup board pump will turn off automatically.
- Remove the pump by twisting the hose quickly to the left and pulling up.
- Replace the valve cap, and it’s time to hit the water!
Inflating Your SUP With a Hand Pump
It should take about five to ten minutes to fill your Airhead SUP using the Airhead Super High Pressure Hand Pump. Get ready for a mini workout!
- Start by getting your pump page and board ready to go.
- Unroll your SUP and locate the pressure gauge at the bow or Stern of your board. Grab your pump, install your inflation gauge, and then attach the hose.
- Twist to the right to lock the other end of the hose to your valve.
- Now start pumping. You'll notice that the first bit goes quickly, and it starts to get harder to pump as you near the recommended 15 psi.
- Once you've reached 15 psi, remove the pump by twisting the hose quickly to the left and pulling up.
- Replace the valve cap, and it's time to hit the water!