Introduction:
Eastman Trading, a Dubai based company, is specialized in manufacturing variety of water sports equipment. Our main products are diving equipment, inflatable and solid stand up paddle board (SUP), inflatable boats, banana boat and kayaks.
The following article provides some basic information related to paddle board safety, types, ancillary devices, operation and maintenance. The information may be subject to changes or updates from time to time.
Standup paddle boarding, or paddling, is a water sport enjoyed by young and old alike. Young enthusiasts may take up the activity as endurance sport, while older individuals may elect paddling to enjoy the tranquilizing quality of calm and quiet flat waters. Learning to paddle is fairly easy by following steps detailed below. You can also learn paddling by watching video clips available in many streaming media.
For benefits of our clients, we have endevoured to cover minimum basic information about paddle board in following topics:
A- SUP Safety and Health Tips:
B- SUP types and Classifications.
C- Ancillary Devices
D-Operation
E-Care and Maintenance
A- SUP Safety and Health Tips:
WARNING
There is a risk of injury (from falling on hard objects on sea floor or bumping into bathers) or even death from downing. Paddling can become dangerous if basic safety rules anre not followed. Paddling can, at times, be physically demanding sport, especially paddling against strong winds and on high waves. Paddler acknowledges, understands, and assumes the risks involved in this sport; especially if efforts are pushed beyond physical aptitude and skills. Paddler must observe the following safety standards and safe operating practices:
1- Whether you are an experienced or average paddler do not attempt to cross the permitted safe paddling limits demarcated by local authorities, especially if you are paddling alone.
2- Never leave children unattended on SUP, even if they are good swimmers and experienced paddlers.
3- Always leash your SUP to your ankle while paddling.
4- Always wear an approved personal floatation device (PFD), especially if you intend to paddle in open waters and away from shore.
5- Learn and practice to board SUP in shoulder deep shallow water first and without using the sea floor as support, before attempting to paddle in deeper waters. This will ensure that if you fall from the SUP in deep water, you will be able to climb back.
6- For safety reasons, it is recommended to paddle with a buddy or in groups if you are paddling away from shore and especially if you are using inflatable SUP (ISUP).
7- If you are a beginner, it is better to paddle in areas clear of bathers. This is especially advised if you are paddling with a hard SUPs.
8- Stretch your arm muscles before start of paddling activity.
9- Try to rest your arms every 30 or so minutes. This is especially recommended for aged individuals. This is to avoid muscle injuries.
10- If you start feeling chronic muscle pain in your arms, shoulders, etc, during or after paddling, please stop and consult a physician.
11- Should you loose your balance and fall from SUP, try to fall on your sides instead of our feet. This is especially important in shallow water as you may land on hard and sharp objects and hurt yourself.
12- Carry a bottle of drinking water with you.
13- Paddle within the limit of your skill and competency.
14- Avoid paddling in strong wind. Should you wish to paddle in light wind, start paddling upwind (against the wind) first and let the downwind assist you in your return journey.
15- Check weather forecast for wind and sea conditions before start of your paddling activity. As a general rule, wind speed of 3-5 knots (light breeze) is considered suitable for paddling. Wind speed from 5-10 knots will be difficult for upwind paddling.
16- Do not exceed SUP maximum loading weight capacity.
17- Do not exceed SUP's maximum operating pressure. Always inflate and operate the SUP to the minimum pressure first. Most inflatable SUP's with double walled construction have minimum (ideal) operating pressure of 10 to 12 PSI.
18- Do not operate the board under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
19- Dress appropriately for weather and marine conditions; cold water and cold weather can result in hypothermia.
20- Beware of offshore winds and currents as they can drag you away from shore.
21- Check weather forecasts and obtain local knowledge of the marine environment and weather conditions prior to your voyage.
22- Be aware of safe river water levels, tidal changes, currents, and obstacles in and above the water.
23- Check your equipment prior to each use for signs of wear, leaks or failure.
24- Always inform someone of your paddling route, the time and place of your departure and your intended time and place of arrival.
B-Types of SUP
In general SUPs are classified into two types.
1) Rigid Standup Paddle Board (Rigid SUP)
and
2) Inflatable Standup Paddle Board (ISUP).
Both rigid and inflatable SUP's have advantage and disadvantage over one another.
Both types are manufactured in various shapes and sized for various skill levels such as recreational (basic), racing and touring. These are further designed differently for agility, stability and ruggedness etc.
In the operation section of this text, however, we only provide basic orientation for flat water paddling. Additional professional instructions may be obtained for racing, touring and wave surfing activities from a competent source.
1) Rigid Board (solid) SUP.
a- Construction:
In general, rigid SUP's are manufactured using high density EPS foam core enveloped into combination of multi layers of epoxy and fiber glass fabric. Some companies may increase or decrease the composition layers for price advantage or SUP weight considerations.
The board should either be fitted with automatic pressure equalizing membrane or manual valve to prevent damage to board due internal air volume expansion caused by ambient temperature and pressure changes ( like carrying your rigid board in a plane). If fitted with manual valve the valve should be shut during paddling and opened when out or water or opened when carrying in airplane.
b- Characteristics:
Advantages:-
i- more agile, easier to maneuver in high waves,
ii- can be used for surfing high waves,
iii- better for long time and distance paddling activity.
iv- more durable than inflatable paddle boards provided well cared for and epoxy coating not damaged.
Disadvantages:-
i- the epoxy coating may break if dropped and hit hard objects,
ii- difficult and expensive to repair damaged epoxy.
iii- may deform if manual breather plug is not opened/closed timely.
iv- lesser payload than inflated SUP
v- need larger storage space,
vi- difficult or impossible to carry in elevator due to its length,
vii- requires vehicle with roof carrier for transportation
viii- can cause injury if struck bathers or fell on.
2) Inflatable SUP
Advantages
i- very buoyant
ii- very stable,
iii- high payload,
iv- almost maintenance free
v- safe if bumped into bathers
vi- easy to transport and store
vii- very durable if used and maintained properly
viii- excellent for normal occasional paddling
ix- easy to learn on
x- cushions impact if fell on (especially for beginners and children).
xi) - Lighter than hard board
The ideal inflatable paddle board for recreational purpose should be between 10 to 12 feet (300 cm to 360cm) long X 30 to 32 inches (75cm to 80 cm) wide X 6 inch (15 cm) thick.
Disadvantage
i- About 5 -10% less efficient (due to drag) than hard SUP
i- manual pumping is a bit strenuous
iii - not very suitable for surfing or high waves.
iv- There is no guarantee it may not leak from glued seams.
C- SUP ancillary devices
The following ancillary equipment is needed for paddling:
i- paddle
ii-leash
iii- personal floatation device (PFD or life jacket.
i- Paddle and Specifications:
For occasional recreational activity adjustable aluminum with thermoplastic/glass fiber blade should be sufficient. For ease of transport and saving space, most paddles are manufactured in two or three sections and assembled by paddler onsite. Before paddling, ensure that assembled sections are tightly fitted and will not break loose. Paddles should be buoyant.
ii-Leash Details:
Leash is a , normally coiled, string which anchors paddler's ankle to SUP. Purpose of leash is to prevent SUP from drifting away from paddler should the paddler fall in watert. This device is a mandatory safety requirement for paddling. Leashes are normally manufactured in spiral form with retracted length of about 3 feet long. A fully stretched leash is about 10 feet long. Some leashes have swivel connections at ankle point to prevent entanglement in case the SUP rotates.
iii- Personal Floatation Device (PFD)Standard:
PFD should be of correct size and fit. To ensure PFD's safe functionality, use equipment manufactured to SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea), CE or any other national or international certified standards.
D- SUP Operation:
WARNING
Please note that this is only a basic instruction for beginners. For advance wave surfing, touring and racing activities please consult expert in the field.
Topics:
i- SUP Parts Nomenclature.
ii- Paddle Adjustment
iii- Inflating SUP
iv- Fitting Fins
v- Leashing
vi- Boarding
vii- Standing up and Feet Position, body posture and balancing
viii- Paddling
ix- maneuvering
WARNING
You must be swimmer before learning to paddle. You must wear personal floatation device at all times when paddling. .
i- SUP Parts Nomenclature.
a-Front part of SUP: Nose
b-Sides: Rail,
c-Rear: Stern
d-Handle: A loop or receptacle installed in the center top surface SUP. This is used for carrying the board.
e-Fins: Installed at rear bottom of SUP
f- starboard: right side of SUP
g: port: left side of SUP
ii- Adjusting the Paddle for paddling preparation.
Stand and hold paddle upright with paddle blade tipped to ground close to your toe. Adjust the paddle handle height so that the uppermost T grip levels your wrist. This is for normal flat water paddling
iii- Connecting Hand Pump and Inflating/deflating the ISUP.
Inflatable SUPs (ISUP) are supplied with high volume hand pump. Normally all ISUP pumps deliver air at both upward and downward strokes. The upward stroke should be disabled as air fills up to about 6 PSI or if upward stroke pumping becomes labourious.
DO NOT ALLOW SAND PARTICLE TO ENTER VALVE OR PUMP AS THIS CAN PERMANENTLY DAMAGE THE PUMP INTERNAL AND CAUSE ISUP VALVE LEAK. AS FAR AS POSSIBLE TRY NOT TO INFLATE ISUP ON SAND.
Each pump is supplied with a corrugated flexible air filling hose. The hose has a threaded female coupler that screws to the pump outlet and a quick connect half twist adaptor for connecting to the ISUP air inlet valve. Screw on the female coupler end of hose to the pump outlet by twisting clockwise.
Unscrew and open the ISUP air inlet/discharge valve cover. Carefully position the pump hose quick connect adaptor over the air valve located in the SUP air inlet/discharge receptacle. Lightly press and twist the adaptor clockwise until it is locked in position in the SUP air valve. You may wish to wet the adaptor gasket with potable water to facilitate ease of engagement.
Once the pump is connected to the SUP start upward and downward stokes of shaft. Control your stoke length to avoid hitting the pump piston to the pump cylinder top and bottom.
WARNING
Do not exceed ISUP's maximum operating pressure. The maximum operating pressure is normally embossed on a dial around the inflating valve receptacle. Always inflate and operate the ISUP to the minimum pressure first. Most inflatable SUP's with double walled construction have minimum operating pressure of 10 to 12 PSI. Higher payload may require higher pressure. If ambient temperature is high and the ISUP is exposed to prolonged sun light on dry shore, reduce pressure by aout 1 or 2 PSI to compensate for thermal expansion.
When ISUP is inflated to desired pressure, twist the adaptor counterclockwise to unlock adaptor from valve receptacle. Sometimes, when the adaptor is removed, the deflate button accidently stays in pushed down position which releases the pumped air. If this happens, immediately twist the button counterclockwise to close the valve. You may need to pump up the ISUP again to the desired pressure. Close the valve receptacle cover after inflation is completed.
To deflate the ISUP, open the air valve receptacle, press and twist the valve air release center button clockwise. The button remains depressed as ISUP deflates. Replace the vavle receptacle cover after defltation.
WARNING
DO NOT USE AN AIR COMPRESSOR. It will result in damage to the board, and will void all warranties. Maximum air pressure for any SUP is indicated on a dial which can be found around SUP inflation valve. DO NOT INFLATE BEYOND THE INDICATED PRESSURE RATING. Inflatable SUP boards are not warranted against over inflation
iv- Fitting fins
All paddle boards are provided with a fin or group of fins at the rear bottom side. The function of fin is to guide SUP in straight path with each paddle stroke. Fins also help reduce wind dragging SUP sidewise.
Without fins, SUP would not propel in straight path. It would swing sideways opposite to the paddle stroke. More fins produce more drag. More drag means more resistance to paddling and hence difficult to manoeuvre.
Normally SUP's are equipped with one of the below fin configurations:
a) 1 certre rear fin ( optimum speed and best manoeuvre)
b) 1 cerntre rear fin + 2 smaller lateral parallel fins near the rail ( for 10' 6' inch long board (maximum drag during paddling, harder to manoeuvre)
c) 2 small lateral parallel fins at the rear next to rail (for 8 foot long boards), least drag, good manoeuvrability.
d) 2 pairs of small parallel fins in lateral position next to rail.
e) most touring and racing SUP's have single middle fin.
Fins are either removable or permanently fixed. Some ISUPs have two lateral fixed fins and one central removable fin. Removable fins are fitted to the board by sliding into a fixed channel or fitted to board by screw arrangement.
v- Leashing
Leash the board to your ankle. This is very important especially if you are paddling in waves, wind, against currents and away from shore.
vi- Boarding SUP
Practice and learn boarding SUP in shallow water first prior to venturing deeper. You should practice boarding the SUP without feet touching sea floor. The easiest way to climb SUP is from the narrowest part of SUP near the stern (rear) side.
Hold the SUP upper rail edge on your side and paddle your feet in water such that your body floats horizontally on water surface. You should now be facing perpendicular to SUP rail (edge) at the rear. Now, with a sudden hard paddling of your feet crawl over the SUP. Once your chest is firmly positioned on SUP, place one of your legs on the board and crawl forward.If you are wearing a life jacket, you may find difficult to board this way. In this case you may temporarily remove and secure your life jacket on the SUP bungee and then attempt to board the SUP without life jacket.
vii- Standing up, Balancing and Body Posture.
[Important: Learning to stand up and balancing on SUP is better achieved if performed in calm and flat water. Avoid practicing in very shallow (knee deep) water as you may fall on hard object on sea floor and injure yourslef. Try to practice in chest deap water)
Kneel down on SUP such that the SUP carrying handle is positioned between your feet. Now with eyes gazed at horizon gradually rise to your feet, keeping your feet as wide as possible on the two sided of paddle board carrying handle. Keep gazing at horizon to maintain your balance. You may bend your knees for slightly to maintain your balance. Practice this many times to gain confidence. Place your feet wide apart to enhance your balancing ability. Now in this position, you may hold the paddle horizonally to your hip level to enhance your balance.
viii- Paddling
Please note that during paddling, the paddle shaft and hand act as lever to transmit your core muscle power (legs, abdomen and shoulder) to paddle blade. Hand muscles should not be used for strokes. Excessive and continuous use of hand muscles for paddling may result in muscle injury.
Stroke action:
During each paddle stroke, always hold paddle in vertical position. Lightly grip the top T part of paddle handle with your right palm, back hand facing upwards.
Grip the paddle shaft with left hand at approximately waist level. Now in this position extend the paddle with your hands fully stretched out horizontally and hold the paddle in vertical position.
Now shift the paddle to port (left side of paddle board), slightly bend your left knee, twist your body to left and immerse the paddle blade fully in water. Now further exert your core muscles to sweep the paddle in water from front to rear. During this action, keep your back upright.
This action will propel the SUP forward. Continue sweeping the paddle in water until it emerges near the SUP stern behind your feet. During strokes maintain the paddle blade as close to paddle board but avoid contact with rail (sides)
Continue striking on left and then switch the paddle to right side alternating your hand positions.
Stepping further behind the mid board during paddling increases speed, improves maneuverability but reduces stability.
ix- maneuvering
To turn left, position paddle blade in water to port side (left side) behind feet and sweep the blade in water from rear to front. This will turn SUP to left.
For faster and more efficient maneuvering, paddle shaft may be extended further away from the SUP while performing turn stroke. To achieve this, lower your body by bending your knees.
.
For right turn maneuver sweep the paddle blade on right side of board.
Note: Standing further behind the mid board during paddling increases speed and enhances maneuverability (easy to turn) but reduces instability.
E- Care and Maintenance
For prolonging SUP life, following is recommended
1- As far as possible store in shade away from direct sunshine.
2- Avoid storing ISUP in very high temperature rooms such as in your car with windows and A/C closed. Continuous higt temperatre in your car my shorten SUP life.
3- Avoid ISUP toching hot metal object such as trailers etc. This will damage the glued seams.
4-Avoid keeping rigid and inflated sups in their cover and storing in sun. The internal temperature build up within the cover ( or bag) can shorten SUP life.
THE END
Last update 2nd January 2018-------------------
