The right pressure and mistakes worth avoiding

Have you bought your first SUP and already imagined the perfect summer day by the water? Great! To avoid spending half the day on the beach with the instructions in your hand, test your equipment at home or in the garden first. Follow our simple guide to prepare your board for launching efficiently!

Although rigid models have their loyal fans, inflatable versions have revolutionised the sport and won the hearts of summer leisure enthusiasts. Here are a few reasons:

• It fits even in a city car: forget expensive roof racks. Once deflated, an inflatable SUP fits easily in its dedicated backpack.
• Hassle-free storage: you do not need a garage or a large basement. Your SUP can wait safely for the next weekend in a wardrobe, under a bed or even in the corner of a room in a flat.
• Ready for any journey: its low weight and compact size mean you can take it on a hike to a remote lake, put it on a train or even check it in as baggage on a flight.

You already know that an inflatable SUP board has its advantages. But remember that it will not inflate itself. It is worth doing your first inflation as a dry run in the living room, on the balcony or in the garden: calmly, without stress or rushing. How do you get started? Here are the step-by-step instructions!

How do you inflate a SUP?

Step 1: prepare a safe surface

Before unrolling the board, make sure there are no sharp stones, sticks or pieces of glass on the ground. If you are inflating it in the garden, grass is the best surface. Indoors, a carpet or floor will do.

Step 2: check the valve — this is crucial!

Unscrew the protective valve cap. Inside, you will see a small plastic pin.

The pin must be in the raised position.If it is pressed down and locked at the bottom, the valve is open. If you inflate the board with the pin in this position, all the air will hiss out in a second when you disconnect the hose! Press and turn the pin so that it springs upwards.

Step 3: connect the pump

Insert the pump hose connector into the board's valve and turn it firmly to the right, clockwise, until you feel it lock into place.

Step 4: pump sensibly, using your whole body

Start pumping with long, full strokes.

• Tip: for the first few minutes, the needle on the pump's pressure gauge will not move at all. Do not panic: the pump is not broken! The gauge only starts working once the board has taken shape and sufficient pressure has built up inside.
• When pumping becomes hard, start using your body weight by bending your knees rather than relying only on your arm muscles.

Step 5: monitor the pressure in PSI

What is the correct pressure? SUP boards of the all-round type usually need a pressure of 13–15 PSI with the exact value stated in the instructions or around the valve. Do not be afraid of resistance: the board needs to be very firm to support you steadily on the water without bending under your weight.

IMPORTANT – if the pressure is below 12 PSI, the board will be too soft and its centre will start to sag. This will drastically reduce stability, make balancing harder and mean that paddling takes twice as much effort.

Step 6: disconnect the hose and secure the valve

Once you reach the desired PSI, quickly and firmly turn the hose connector to the left and remove it. A brief hiss is normal. Finally, screw the plastic protective cap on tightly. You are ready! At Movino, you receive not only a board but also SUP accessories and parts including a convenient backpack for carrying the board.

The most common inflation mistakes

To make your first SUP season pure enjoyment, remember these three important safety rules:

1. Inflating by feel: trying to judge the board's firmness by pressing it with your thumb or knee is the most common beginner's mistake. A SUP can feel rock-solid at just 7 PSI, yet still bend under a person's weight on the water. Always rely on the pressure gauge reading.
2. Leaving an inflated board in full sunlight: remember basic physics: air expands as it warms. If you inflate a board to the maximum 15 PSI on grass and then leave it in the sun for several hours, away from cool water, the internal pressure will rise dangerously. This can cause seams to leak and, in extreme cases, damage the board. When taking a longer break from the water, put your SUP in the shade or release a little air.
3. Ignoring the pin position: we mentioned this in step 2, but it is worth repeating. Inflating the board with the valve pressed down wastes your time and energy, because all the air will escape when you disconnect the pump.