I think many times in these series, I’ve said that paddle boarding is a fantastic sport! It’s the best way to spend the warm days, especially if you live near a body of water. And I know millions of people on the globe agree with me.
However, probably the most problematic thing about paddle boarding is the paddle board storage. At 10 to 12+ feet long and 20 to 35 pounds heavy, it’s no easy task to find the right place to store it – especially if you live in an apartment.
Sure, you might say inflatable boards are the solution, but we will talk about storing those later too. So, since you have invested in a good quality board, you should also invest some effort to find the best way for your paddle board storage.
And speaking of paddle board storage, I’ve comprised an article to help you with finding what works best in the place where you live.
The Best Paddle Board Storage Places
While this will largely depend on where you live, the place where you store your board is the place where:
- Your paddle board is protected from direct sunlight
- Your paddle board is away from moisture
- Your paddle board is not exposed to extremely high temperatures
There are some other things to look out for, but these three are the most important ones since the ultraviolet rays from the direct sunlight will damage the shell and the color on it over time while the moisture will cause mold and mildew to appear on the shell, damaging it further.
Also, the high temperatures in the room where you store your paddle board work on the core materials by degrading them. And, again, they can cause the shell to delaminate.
So, HOW do you store your board correctly?
Now, before we go into SUP board storage more in-depth, these are the things you must do every time you store your stand up, paddle board:
- Wash and dry your stand up paddle board first
- Remove any internal moisture (for inflatable stand up paddle boards)
- Keep the SUP away from heat
- Keep your stand up paddle board off the ground
These are the primary segments of proper paddle board storage, and now that you know them, let’s get to the best ways to store a paddle board.
Storing your board in the garage
Having a garage is the most convenient storage place for your board, whether it is inflatable or epoxy. The temperature is more stable, there is no direct sunlight, and you can keep it off the ground by installing a set of paddle board racks. Plus, you can keep all paddle board gear and accessories close in the same environment so that you don’t lose anything in the offseason.
So, how to store your paddle board in the garage? Here are the three effortless ways.
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With a Rack
As I said, paddle board racks are an extremely easy way for storage. You can mount racks on the walls or ceiling, and the best part is that you aren’t limited by the number of boards you have.
There are racks that are for one board only, but there are those sets made for storage of multiple boards too. With racks, you don’t even have to remove the fins from your board – as long as they aren’t damaging your walls of the rest of the boards.
However, there is one thing to pay attention to when placing your board on a rack. You should always evenly distribute the weight. Otherwise, your board will deform on the side that there’s too much pressure on, and then my friend, we have a problem!
So, make sure its weight is supported at multiple points along its length and you can do so with either wide nylon straps or making sure your padded rack supports it on all sides.
Also, in your paddle board storage, make sure you avoid pressure points. Whether you are strapping it or placing it on a rack, make sure your stand up paddle board doesn’t get pinched by other objects or other boards. Also, avoid strapping it down snugly like you would when transporting it with your vehicle. While that is ok for a few hours on the road, long-term tight strapping will deform your SUP.
With Rafters
Racks sound awesome, but your walls are full of tools and bikes and other stuff hanging around? Well, then, your ceiling is your next best option.
With rafters, you have a better weight distribution, and all the pressure points are virtually gone that may exist with the racks on the walls.
With this SUP storage, I would advise taking down the fins from your board just for safety.
Also, one downside to this paddle board storage method is the weight you will be carrying each time you have to put on and take down your board. Depending on how heavy it is, it might get a little tricky. But if this is not a problem and you have a way, then this is definitely something to consider!
In Upright Position
If you have floor space and you don’t want to bother with mounting racks or rafters on the walls and ceiling, then this floor rack is just the thing!
With this SUP storage method, you don’t have to remove the fins, and you don’t have that much burden to lift every time. So, I would say this is one of the most convenient ways for storage.
And while you may think, if this floor rack is holding my board upside down from the ground, then why can I just place it on the floor like that? Well, because the rack distributes the weight away from only one point and it protects it from the abrasive surface of the floor.
Your Board as Décor
If you don’t have a garage, on the other hand, then you are left with your creativity at best.
Paddle boards these days are a real piece of art. I mean, have you seen the designs they are packing? The colors, the patters and all? I’m in awe every time I go to the beach! So, why not use your board’s awesome design as a décor on your wall somewhere in your home?
Surely, if you have no other way, then you gotta make it work.
You can pick a minimalistic set of racks where only the lower part under the board is visible so that it doesn’t take away from the beauty of the board itself. For instance, if you have a wooden-color board in cream/brown, then wooden wall mounts will match your earth-toned board perfectly!
Also, you have to watch where you put it exactly as that place in your room should not be getting direct sunlight onto your board. Even when through the window, your board will get discolored with time.
What if I have to store my SUP board outside?
No room for your board? No room for despair! If home décor or garage storage aren’t an option, then maybe all you have left is the outdoor storage of your board.
And that’s ok. As long as you follow the guidelines below, you are good to go!
- Make sure your board is protected from rainfall and any type of water.
- No direct sunlight (in case I haven’t mentioned that enough times here)
- No direct heat or wind
- Your board needs to be lifted off the ground to avoid scratches and to fall over
So, if you have to store your board outdoors, below, I will give you a couple of ideas on how to do it, but in general, make sure to protect it from the elements with a cover, such as a sunshade, shed, or under a patio.
Board bags are also an excellent idea because they will protect your board from direct moisture.
Freestanding Horizontal Paddle Board Racks
If you have the floor space, then freestanding, single or multiple board storage racks are a great idea.
This way, you are protecting your board from the ground. Of course, there are always the possibilities with the racks, but if you have no space for that, then this is your safest option.
However, with the freestanding horizontal racks you have to pay attention to the weight distribution.
- If you are storing one board, then make sure it is properly centered on the rack.
- If you are storing two boards, if there are significant weight differences between the boards, then make sure they aren’t on a slant or incline. Otherwise, the rack may fall altogether and cause damages on the boards.
- If you are storing more than two boards, place the heaviest on the bottom and then the lighter ones above.
Car Rack
I wouldn’t recommend this option to people who don’t live near water and who don’t paddle throughout the year. If you use your paddle for a 2-4 weeks a year only, then clearly this isn’t the best option for you.
However, if you live in the southern hemisphere and you paddle year-round, then this might be something you’d want to do.
Namely, when leaving your board on your car rack for more than a day, you need to be careful how tightly you are wrapping it. If it’s too tight and for longer than 2-3 days, then it will result in the board warping. However, when tying it loosely, you need to think of the strength of the winds too. You don’t want your board flying around damaging itself and your car.
Also, your car needs to be parked in the shadows so that no excess heat and sunlight is coming on the board.
With this SUP board storage method, keep in mind theft too. I have a section below addressing this, but with car racks, you have to pay special attention.
Inflatable Paddle Board Storage
Can I store my paddle board inflated? Well… yes and no. Let’s review this one better.
Inflatable boards are surely more convenient for off-season storage because you can simply deflate them and store them away. Made of PVC layers with drop-stitch woven fibers connected to the top and bottom layers, these boards offer great stability and rigidity overall.
However, with the SUP storage methods, they require a little more different care.
For instance, if you have the space to leave your inflatable paddle board inflated and keep it away from sunlight, the floor, moisture, and too much heat, then sure, you can leave it inflated.
However, the reason why these boards are advised to be deflated is that if the temperature of the room rises too much, then the air inside will expand and cause problems with the vents.
So, it is good if you can deflate it completely or a little bit so that even if the air pressure inside rises, it does not damage the board in any way. Also, keep in mind that even if your board is stored in a cool place away from direct sunlight, it will still lose air pressure daily.
Namely, no matter which one of the 6 ways above you are storing your inflatable board, it is vital to deflate it at least a little bit in order to protect it.
With that said, before storing your inflatable or epoxy board, here are some things you must do.
How to take care of your board before storing it
Before being stored away, your board requires a little more than just drying it off and hanging it on the wall racks or deflating it.
Rinse it Well
Sand, salt, and dirt all accumulate over time on your board, so to protect the shell and the outer materials as well as the color, you need to rinse it thoroughly after each use.
Now, if you paddle in freshwater, then you don’t have to rinse your paddle board after each use, but you do need to when storing it for many months. However, if you paddle in the sea or ocean, this step is not to be skipped! Salt accumulated and erodes over time, weakening the material and the seams.
Clean it Off
The initial rinse will remove most of the dirt and debris, but the use of a cleaner ensures a deeper clean. Make sure you use a natural biodegradable cleaner that doesn’t contain harsh chemicals.
Be especially gentle with your rinsing when you are cleaning the traction pad.
Rinse… Again
As you did all the fine cleaning after the initial rinse, now it is time to remove all residue from the cleaning product and maybe to rinse off the final, most stubborn residue.
Dry it Out
Before you put your board into SUP storage in the offseason, it needs to be completely dry. I usually dry mine with a towel because I don’t want to leave it out in the open on sunlight and wind.
Storing your board away even slightly moist will cause the emergence of rust and bacterial growth, which poses a threat to the board’s integrity.
Deflate your Board
If you have an inflatable board, then at this point, you will want to deflate it completely. If you still want to store it on the wall as I mentioned earlier, then let some air out of it, so it does not stay inflated and prone to vent damage from the pressure rise.
Final thoughts
One idea you can incorporate into your SUP storage method is the application of UV protective spray or cream. If you leave your board on the sun and there’s no other way around it, then applying such cream will provide protection. However, this is only if you leave it on the sun for a few days. Anything beyond that, I strongly recommend covering your board or placing it in the shadow altogether.
Theft protection is another concern you should have. I mean, you have invested in a good quality SUP board, so you cannot just leave it out there unprotected.
So, if you cannot keep your board inside the house or garage, then when storing it outdoors, keep it hidden from eyesight as much as possible and place things around it, so it is difficult for someone just to grab it quickly and run.
Of course, for optimal security, it is best if you can thread a durable security cable through the leash loop on your board. There are also locks designed explicitly for paddle boards that attach to the fin box or the leash plug bar. Better safe than sorry!
And ultimately, whatever type of storage you choose, it will be equally good for your paddle board. This list is only a matter of preference and convenience. Don’t forget to leave your favorite paddle board storage method down below in the comments to help out our community protect their boards in the offseason.
Also, don’t forget to visit my Facebook and Instagram account for more cool tips and recommendations on paddle boards and accessories.
Review written by: Tom
Hi! My name is Tom. During the year I try to be on a paddle board as much as possible. By reading this blog you'll stay updated on everything I test on the water :)
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