Ditch the Hand Pump: Inflating Your Paddleboard with Ease Using an Electric Pump
Anyone who owns an inflatable paddleboard knows the struggle of using a single-cylinder hand pump. It’s tiring, time-consuming, and can definitely take the wind out of your sails (pun intended) before you even hit the water.
Electric pumps offer a much more relaxed and efficient solution. Here’s how to use one to inflate your paddleboard in no time.
Power Up Your SUP Pump
Most electric pumps come with two power options:
- Accessory (Cigarette Lighter) Plug: This allows you to connect the pump to your car’s DC outlet.
- Battery Clips: You can also use the included battery clips to connect the pump to a portable battery pack or directly to your car battery.
Inflating Your Paddleboard
- Locate the Valve: Find the inflation valve on the back of your paddleboard. It will have two positions, similar to a soap dispenser.
- Up Position: This is for inflation.
- Down Position: This is for deflation. (Double-check your board’s manual if the positions differ)
- Attach the Hose: Make sure the hose attachment on the pump matches the valve on your board. If you are having any issues with getting a secure seal when you attach the hose, check out this video.
- Set the PSI: Most paddleboards have a recommended PSI (pounds per square inch) inflation level, typically around 15 PSI. Locate the dial on the pump and set it to your board’s recommended PSI.
*Make sure you are reading PSI and not BAR or another measurement. - Power On and Inflate! Turn on the pump. Many electric pumps are dual-stage. The first stage is a low hum and then it switches to a higher-pressure mode when the pressure starts to increase. Don’t worry, your pump isn’t broken, it’s supposed to get louder in the second stage! This helps inflate the board efficiently.
Pro Tip: Don’t underinflate your board! An underinflated board will be wobbly, slow you down, and make paddling more difficult. An electric pump ensures you reach the optimal PSI for a stable and enjoyable ride.
Deflating Your Paddleboard (Optional)
There is also a deflate option on the pump so you can plug it into there and then suck the air back out. I like to just lay on it and take a nap and that’ll let the air out of it too. Whatever floats your boat.
