How can you keep your beautiful Three Brothers SUP looking new? After purchasing your board, one of the first accessories to invest in is a board bag or at least a board sock. A padded board bag insulates your board from mild abrasions during transport and storage. They are also reflective to keep the sun off the surface of your board. The board is designed for outdoor use and stays cool by remaining in the water. Out of the water, your board can heat up very quickly. Too much sun and heat can cause damage to your board. A board sock is simply a cover that slides on the board to keep the top side from overexposure to the sun.
As you approach docks, keep your board from touching surfaces like pilings, which may be covered in barnacles. The safest entry and exit points are sandy shorelines when available. If approaching the shore, stop when your board reaches knee deep instead of running it up on the shore, as small rocks can damage the underside of your board.
Done paddling for the day? Resist the urge to put your wet board back in the bag and seal it up. The heat and moisture inside the sealed bag can cause resin damage. Keep a small towel in your gear bag and wipe down your board after use, or let it sit out to dry for a short time before putting it in the bag. Another option is leaving an opening in the bag so it can “breathe”.
OK, you’ve made it home, now what? One of the best ways to keep your SUP looking new is to rinse it with fresh water. Here in Florida, people frequently use boards in salt water, and salt quickly corrodes them.Rinse your board off completely, be sure to rinse the mat, handle and relief valve as well. Salt caked up in the valve can cause it to malfunction. If you have paddled in fresh water, it is still a good idea to rinse your board. This is especially true if you have been paddling near marinas where boats can leak or bilge various chemicals. If your board gets a dirt buildup on it, use a mild detergent or boat rinse. Completely rinse it to keep your mat from becoming slippery.
With these simple steps, you will keep your Three Brothers SUP looking good for years to come.
