Should I leave my board out in the sun without a protective bag?

The short answer is NO.  The sun and the heat can damage boards if they are left to bake in the sun for long periods of time.   This has always been true for surf boards and SUPs can have the same problems.  Using a board bag will help protect your investment and keep the board in great condition for a long time to come.  

 

I have noticed bubbles under the deck pad. What’s going on?

After extended periods of sunlight and at high elevations bubbles may appear under the deck pad. If this occurs, slice through the bubble with a sharp razor blade along the grain of the pad. Squeeze out the air and press the pad back down on to the deck. You should not get a reoccurrence of this problem.

 

Why have your boards got vent plugs?

All SUP boards, whether made of epoxy or Carbonlite 2000® (the Rubicon), have an expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam core. The air inside the foam cells expands with exposure to the sun and at high altitudes. The purpose of the vent plugs is to allow the air to escape (degas) and prevent the separation of the skin from the foam core.

 

How do I use the vent plugs?

Before Use - Tahoe Board Works SUP boards are shipped with the vent plug tops in a separate plastic bag. Before you use the boards for the first time you should install the vent plug top into the housing and screw down tightly (a quarter works well!).

After use – Rinse the vent plug area with fresh water, taking care NOT to touch the membrane at the top. This will remove salt and debris that could cause the semi permeable membrane to tear.

When traveling – remove the vent plug top and  place in a clean poly bag when traveling with the boards by air or when moving to and from sea level and higher altitudes.

Long term storage – Remove the plug, clean with fresh water, dry and store in a clean poly bag, taking care NOT to touch the delicate semi permeable membrane.

We recommend that you use a new vent plug every year – these can be purchased from our web site or directly from your dealer.

 

 

I’ve dinged my board. What repair kits do you recommend?

Rubicon - For the occasional ding and dent on the Rubicon, we recommend Devcon Plastic Welder. This glue is methylmethacrylate, and is available in hardware stores. The glue has a 6-month shelf life if stored in a cool place.  It bonds exceptionally well to Carbonlite 2000®. You will also have to buy some fiberglass cloth and sandpaper for a smooth finish. Don’t forget some disposable gloves and a stick to stir the two-component glue. Should the board have taken on water through the damaged area, make sure that you open the vent plug and allow all the water to leave. Don’t forget to replace the plug next time you paddle!

Zephyr and Woody – These boards are finished with epoxy resin so you need an epoxy repair kit. Ensure that you do not buy a polyester resin repair kit. These kits include the epoxy resin, a hardener, fiberglass cloth, 2 grade sanding sponge or 100-, 220-, 400- and 600-grit sandpaper, mixing sticks & cup, cover sheets and instructions. Note that the ratio of resin to hardener changes with the ambient temperature. In colder regions more hardener is required. Don’t forget to let any absorbed water leave the board. Then cut away any loose bits of fiberglass with a sharp knife. If the fiberglass is cracked but in place, do not remove it.

Most dings occur as you move the board to and from the water or lift it onto the roof rack. We recommend a board bag or sock to prevent these.

 

 

I have just bought one of your SUP boards. How do I take care of it?

SUPWINNIPEG has the following general recommendations to ensure a long and carefree life of your SUP board

Always store your board out of direct sunlight

We recommend that you invest in a reflective board bag or sock for general board protection.

Rinse all our boards with fresh water after use

Place your Tahoe SUP board deck side down on the roof rack for   transportation

NOTE – if you own a blue-bottomed Rubicon board or a dark coloured Woody, you should always store and transport them in a reflective board bag or sock since dark colours absorb radiant heat. If a bag is not available, place the Rubicon white (hull) side up for transport and remove the vent plug.

 

We recommend an occasional polish to keep the boards looking good

Rubicon – remove grime and debris with “Quickclean Marine” (a spray and wipe formula) and then polish board with any Marine detail polish  such as Yacht Brite “Serious Shine”. “Serious Shine” contains UV inhibitors and has anti-static properties to further protect your board. These are available in specialist marine stores and online.

Zephyr – Simply rinse with fresh water, use a cleaner such as “Quickclean Marine” if necessary and dry to maintain the sanded sport  finish. 

Woody - We recommend any of the epoxy polishes such as “Serious Shine” or “Nauti Detail”.

 

 

I ordered online – when can I expect my Board and accessories?

Current Policy

The demand for our SUP boards has been overwhelming.    Currently, we are allocating boards based on our waiting list.  We are receiving boards every couple of weeks and we will contact you when boards are available based on your request or order status.  

 

Normal Policy

Your Stand Up Paddle Board should arrive within 7-12 business days. If you ordered accessories, they are shipped from the same facility in Winnipeg where we ship our boards from. The accessories should arrive within 3-5 business days of your order, assuming you did not specify expedited delivery on the order form.

 

 

 

What safety issues have you considered in your board designs?

All SUP boards are virtually unsinkable so hang onto them if you happen to fall off. Their unique width also makes them some of the most stable boards available, both for beginners as well as seasoned paddlers. There are rounded edges at the front end and along the rail of the boards, a mandatory leash for keeping contact with the board should you take a dive also helps! Most importantly, there are packs and bungee cords to hold a Personal flotation Device.

 

Paul Newman, the Recreational Boating Safety Program Manager for the 11th Coast Guard District (which encompasses California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah) explains: “If you operate on flat water, outside a swimming or bathing area you become just like a kayak. That means the operator has to carry a Coast Guard approved lifejacket and a whistle or other sound-producing device to warn other boaters of his or her presence. You’re also required to follow the navigation rules. If you’re on a SUP after sunset you also need a flashlight to warn other boaters.”