Depending on where you live, fall usually marks the end of the SUP season. Although some dedicated paddlers enjoy this activity year-round, it is during the colder months that most paddlers stop their activity and put their boards away until spring. But just because you can't be on the water doesn't mean you have to forget about SUP. The offseason is the perfect time to plan and prepare for the next SUP season! Here are some ideas to help you get through the fall and winter.
Clean, repair and take stock of your equipment
At the end of the SUP season, the first thing to do is to clean your equipment thoroughly. Be sure to rinse everything with fresh water; you can use a non-abrasive soap and a brush, especially for carpet. Then make sure to dry everything before storing it. You can leave the board inflated to 1-3 psi over the winter or more convenient, roll it up not too tight and store it in its bag. Store it in a cool, dry place.
Take the opportunity to check for leaks or damage. Depending on the type of repair needed, contact us to have our team repair your board. Also check your screws on your paddle, the condition of the bag and leash and especially your PFD.
Once everything is clean and repaired, you can take inventory of your equipment. Determine if you need to replace anything or want to add a new board or accessory. Maybe it's time to upgrade your board or buy a lighter paddle . Or maybe you'd like to add a Touring or Racing board to your collection. Fall is the perfect time to take advantage of end-of-season sales, come browse our website to see if there are any good deals to be had. This is often the best time to buy.
Set your goals for the next SUP season
The end of the SUP season is a great time to pause, reflect and set your goals for next year. Think back to your past season: what were your strengths? What type of SUP did you enjoy the most? What would you like to do again? What did you miss?
By answering these questions and defining your SUP goals, you will have a clearer idea of what you will be doing next season. Get things straight and figure out what you need to do now to achieve those goals. Whether it's saving money for new equipment, signing up for a class, planning a trip, or working on a specific technique, thinking about it now will give you plenty of time to set your goals, develop a plan and implement it. It might be a great idea to continue working on your balance with a Balance Board
Learn more about SUP
It's always nice to stay home and curl up with a book or some screen time during the colder months. Why not add some SUP resources to your reading and viewing list? Discover the history, professionals, equipment, tips, innovations and instructions for use. There are good books on SUP. Here are a few :
Tricktionary : The bible on SUP. Our favorites!
SUPBoarder - The SUPBoarder website and YouTube channel offer a wealth of information on every SUP topic imaginable, from board reviews to technical videos. The site offers a lot of free content, but the Pro membership is worth it for the additional content.
SUP Connect - Keep up to date with the latest SUP news with SUP Connect. Subscribe to their newsletter to receive weekly updates in your inbox.
Standup Journal - The world's first SUP magazine! It is a quarterly magazine, for those who prefer paper to digital. The gorgeous photos alone are worth buying an issue at your local newsstand. Subscriptions are also available.
What if you can't wait any longer until spring?
Get yourself a drysuit !