For many members of the stand-up paddle board (SUP) community, summer is the best season for traveling, exploring, and living an active lifestyle. Whether they’re SUP-ing in a familiar setting or flying around the world—probably in hopes of finding a picture-perfect paddle—wherever they are, you can bet their SUP is right there with them. Unfortunately, there are some places where your SUP can get a little too much heat, sunlight, etc. And, as we recently discussed in a related blog, leaving your board in the elements for too long can do some serious, and, in some cases, irreparable damage. Of course, it can be hard to keep track of which environments are fine for SUPs and which ones aren’t. That’s precisely why we’re here today, to answer a common question that’s closely related to this train of thought, “Can I leave my SUP in a hot car?” As always, we have everything you need to know, so keep on reading below!
Read more: Tips and Tricks for Safely SUP-ing in Summer
Try Not to Keep Your SUP in Your Car
As a general rule of thumb, you should try not to keep your SUP in your car, especially during the summer months. For example, if you leave a hard board in a hot car for hours on end, then don’t be surprised if you encounter problems like delamination. When this happens, the board’s shell detaches from its foam core, thereby resulting in air bubbles being trapped between the core and fiberglass shell. Sadly, if the delamination is more than minimal, this can spell the end of a fiberglass or epoxy board. In short, it is best to avoid such circumstances altogether.
The Difference Between Hard Boards and iSUPs
Similarly, if you’re the proud owner of an Atoll Boards inflatable SUP (iSUP)—or any other iSUP—then you will want to do the same and avoid any forms of overheating. In regards to SUPs getting too much sunlight, heat, etc, the only significant difference between hard boards and iSUPs is the manifestation of the damage. Instead of delamination, if you leave an inflated iSUP in a hot car for too long, you risk busted seams along your board; and, just like delamination, severe cases of busted seams may be beyond repair.
The Same Way You Would Treat Your Body
Finally, depending on all the circumstances involved, it is technically possible for an inflated iSUP to explode in your car. While it is much more likely that your board will simply suffer from busted seams, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight as well as excessive heat can have some serious effects on your board, just as it would your body. In short, treat your board the same way you would treat your body – don’t leave it baking in the sun for hours on end, avoid overheating as much as possible, and do your best not to damage it. To learn more about how to safely store your SUP, click here.
Read more: How to Stay Hydrated While Stand-up Paddle Boarding
Contact Our Team at Atoll Boards
We hope this helped to answer your question, “Can I leave my SUP in a hot car?” For more tips and tricks on how to safely SUP all summer long, be sure to check out our blog. Once there, you will find dozens of in-depth articles with tons of information, expert insights, and so much more. Or, if you have a more specific question, please feel free to contact our team at Atoll Boards. To get in touch, simply click here, give us a call at 877-698-8581, or send an email to customerservice@atollboards.com. Whatever the nature of your inquiry may be, we would be more than happy to help you in any way we can. Until then!
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