Jun 30, 2022

How do I transport an inflatable SUP board?

Wie transportiere ich ein aufblasbares SUP Board?

It is still dark when we shoulder our backpacks with the SUP boards and hike the first few meters toward the mountain lake. We had been planning our first “Hike & SUP” tour for a long time, and finally, the weather is perfect to begin this adventure. After arriving at the mountain lake, quite out of breath, the sun peeks out from behind the mountain peak and is reflected in the water of the lake. What a magnificent moment!

If you want to experience such SUP adventures, you sometimes have to carry your board quite a long way. In this article, we will introduce you to various transport options for SUP boards!

The biggest advantage of inflatable SUP boards compared to hardboards is their easy transport. Hardboards with a length of over three meters cannot be transported so easily, and the length usually proves to be an insurmountable hurdle when traveling by plane.

In contrast, inflatable SUP boards can be transported easily and safely in a bag inside a car, on flights, or even on public transport.

But we will be completely honest: sometimes we are too lazy to inflate our SUP board every day, so we transport it in an inflated state by car to the nearest lake. And then there are situations where the way from the car to the water is very long, and you need a tool for that too, to transport your SUP board.

Transporting rolled-up SUP boards

When you buy an inflatable SUP board, you receive it rolled up in a bag. This SUP bag serves for storing and transporting your SUP board. When rolling it up, make sure to free the board from small stones, sand, and other debris. This works best if you brush off the SUP board with a small hand broom before rolling it up. This is how you protect your board from damage in the long term!

Note: If you are not using your SUP board for a longer period – for example, in winter – you should not store it in the bag, but rather keep it slightly inflated in a dry place. You can find all the information in the “Storing your SUP board correctly” article!.

SUP transport tip: Roller bag

If you have to cover a very long distance on foot to get to the spot, our SUP backpack with wheels is best suited for transporting your folded board. This backpack is also perfect for air travel!

Transporting the SUP board on the car roof

Especially in the summer months, there is nothing better than waking up with the first rays of the sun and driving to the nearest body of water for an early morning paddling session. At 5:30 in the morning, however, you might not feel like pumping up your board by hand. One option would be an electric pump, or you can transport your SUP board already inflated on the car roof. The best way to transport an SUP board is on a fixed roof rack, which are now quite inexpensive to purchase. Another option, which is also well-suited if you are renting a car while traveling, are inflatable roof racks. You can take them anywhere with you, as car rental companies like to charge a hefty premium for additional services like roof racks.

When using roof racks, make sure that you fasten your SUP board properly and comply with traffic regulations for transporting objects on the car roof.

SUP transport tip: Car roof

Do you know the inflatable roof racks from ShredRack? This innovative product is particularly suitable if you don't want to rent an expensive roof rack for a rental car. Simply pack the small bags in your suitcase, inflate them on-site, and you can transport your SUP on the roof of the car. The inflatable roof racks are suitable for almost every car and you don't need any tools for assembly.

Transporting SUP boards with board bags and carry straps

Large board bags originate from the surfing segment, but nowadays there are also suitable bags for SUP boards in which hardboards or inflated SUP boards can be transported. Especially when transporting them on a car roof, you can protect your SUP board even better, and with the integrated shoulder strap, you can easily carry the board to the water's edge. The large board bags are also suitable as protection for winter storage, where it can be stored slightly inflated until spring, kept dry and protected from dirt.

The shoulder straps are also available separately, cost only a few euros, and take up no space.

When producing our Glory Boards, we ensure that the SUP board's carrying handles are as comfortable as possible for your hands, so that you can carry your board to the water without any problems.

SUP transport tip: trolleys

There are transport trolleys for canoes and kayaks that are also suitable for SUP boards. These allow you to transport the board comfortably to the water.

Do you still have questions about transporting your inflatable SUP board? Feel free to send us a message!