SUP pumps: Electric pump or hand pump?

SUP Pumpen: Elektrische Pumpe oder Handpumpe?

The gentle waves make the sailboat rock back and forth very lightly. How lucky that we brought our boards along to spend this wonderful day on and in the water. We pump up our SUP boards to be the first ones on the water on this early summer day and enjoy the tranquility of the lake.

Inflatable SUP boards have only one small disadvantage compared to hardboards: they have to be pumped up. Some see pumping with a hand pump as a warm-up exercise before paddling, for others it is a nuisance, and small, petite people really struggle during the last few strokes. A SUP board that has not been properly inflated is much less fun than a properly stiff and correctly inflated board. Therefore, always follow the manufacturer's instructions on how hard the SUP must be inflated.

In this post, you will find an overview of the different SUP pump models.

The SUP Hand Pump: Pros and Cons

Inflatable SUP boards have evolved significantly in recent years, and the included hand pumps are getting better and better. The first hand pumps were purely double-action pumps that could not be switched to single-action. Pumping with purely double-action pumps was very strenuous.
Modern SUP pumps feature not only a pressure gauge that displays the PSI count but also a switchable single- and double-action function. Double-action means that you pump air into the board both when pushing down and when pulling up. This becomes very tiring over time, so you can switch to single-action, where air is only pumped into the board when pushing down.
Depending on how experienced you are, it will take between ten and fifteen minutes to pump your SUP board up to the correct PSI level. After that, you'll be properly warmed up for your tour!
SUP hand pumps have the advantage that they are lightweight, you can take them anywhere, and they don't require electricity.
Tip: Adopt the right pumping technique so you don't strain your back while pumping!

SUP Electric Pump for Cars

In addition to hand pumps, there are now electric SUP pumps. One variant is the electric pump for the car, which is connected to the car battery or cigarette lighter using two alligator clips and inflates your board in a record time of just five minutes. You select the required PSI number on the gauge, and the pump stops automatically once this value has been reached. During the inflation process, you can change your clothes or warm up a bit for the SUP tour. These electric SUP pumps can also be used for other inflatable items such as air awnings for campers, inflatable boats, or air mattresses.
Electric SUP pumps for cars have the disadvantage that they weigh a bit more (in this case approx. 3 kilograms) and produce noise while pumping, which can be more or less loud. Furthermore, you have to pump up the SUP directly next to the car and carry it to the water once inflated. If, for example, you are planning a tour that starts far away from the nearest parking lot, you won't be able to avoid a hand pump!

SUP Electric Pump with Battery

Electric SUP pumps are also available with a battery that lasts for approx. 5 inflation cycles. Additionally, you can use this pump to charge your mobile phone via USB cable at the same time.
We recommend this SUP pump for all paddlers who enjoy camping or traveling by sailboat. You are independent of the vehicle and still don't have to rely on the hand pump! The only disadvantage: The electric SUP pump with battery weighs 3 kilograms. You should consider this if you have to carry the pump over longer distances. If the battery is empty, this pump can also be operated directly using power from the car.

Our Conclusion on SUP Pumps

You will need a SUP hand pump on many occasions. The electric SUP pumps for cars are a fantastic alternative if you drive to the SUP spot by car and want to have your board inflated in record time. The SUP pumps with a battery are great if, for example, you are often traveling with a sailboat and want to inflate your SUP board there.
Do you still need support in choosing the right SUP pump? Send us a message, we are happy to advise you!

Gloryboards Blog

View all