When the temperature drops and your paddleboarding season winds down, your gear needs a bit of extra attention. Inflatable SUPs (iSUPs) are durable, but winter storage mistakes can create long-term damage — mold, warped materials, battery problems, and weakened seams.
The good news? Proper storage is simple once you know what to do.
Here’s a complete guide to storing your inflatable SUP, Boost Fin, and all your paddle board accessories safely during the off-season.
Why Proper Inflatable SUP Storage Matters
Unlike hard boards, inflatable SUPs use drop-stitch construction and air-tight PVC layers that can degrade if exposed to humidity, mold, freezing temperatures, or UV light.
Storing your board wrong can lead to:
• weakened seams
• sticky mildew or dark mold spots
• unpleasant odors
• discoloration
• PVC hardening or cracking
• valve leaks
Your board works hardest during the summer — so winter is when you protect your investment.
Step-by-Step: How to Store Your Inflatable SUP for Winter
1. Clean your board before storing
Salt, sand, sunscreen, and lake bacteria can cause mold or PVC degradation.
Use mild soap + warm water, rinse thoroughly, and let it fully dry.
2. Make sure the board is 100% dry
The biggest storage mistake is packing a damp iSUP.
Even a tiny bit of moisture trapped inside a rolled board can create mold within weeks.
✔ Dry outdoors in shade
✔ Leave valves open for airflow
✔ Wipe seams and fin boxes with microfiber
3. Deflate halfway — not all the way
For long-term storage:
• Release air until the board is 50% deflated
• Avoid tight rolls
• Fold loosely so the PVC isn’t under constant pressure
• Store horizontally if possible
This prevents creases and sharp fold lines that weaken the structure.
4. Avoid heat, freezing temperatures & UV
Never leave your iSUP:
• near heaters
• in freezing garages
• in attics
• in direct sunlight
Ideal storage temperature: 5–25°C (40–77°F). Sun and freezing conditions are the biggest killers of PVC durability.
5. Use a breathable storage bag
Do not use sealed plastic — it traps humidity. The best option: a ventilated SUP backpack or mesh bag.
How to Store Your Boost Fin (Battery Safety Tips Included)
Electric fins need different care than inflatable boards.
1. Fully clean the Boost Fin
Remove saltwater residue:
• Rinse with fresh water
• Let it dry naturally
• Do NOT store with sand or moisture trapped in the propeller area
2. Charge the battery before off-season
Lithium batteries last longest when stored at 40–60% charge.
Not full. Not empty.
This helps prevent deep discharge and extends battery lifespan.
3. Recharge your Boost Fin once every 6–8 weeks
This is VERY important. It’s the difference between a healthy battery and a dead one in spring.
4. Store in a cool, dry place
Avoid extreme temperatures. Never leave the fin in a garage that freezes or overheats.
5. Keep the fin away from direct sunlight
UV can degrade plastic components and seals.
6. Store adapters & remote correctly
• Adapters should be rinsed and fully dried
• Remote should be kept away from moisture
• Turn off all components before storing
Small parts get lost easily over winter — keep them in a labeled pouch.
Storing Paddle Board Accessories (Paddle, Pump, Leash, Backpack)
Paddle
• Rinse the blade
• Remove sand from locking mechanism
• Dry the shaft
• Store fully retracted so the adjustment clamp doesn’t weaken
Carbon paddles especially dislike humidity.
Pump
• Keep the hose loosely coiled
• Avoid storing with pressure inside
• Don’t leave it in freezing environments — it can crack plastic connections
Leash
• Rinse salt + sand
• Dry thoroughly
• Keep away from sunlight to avoid rubber oxidation
SUP Backpack / Carry Bag
• Vacuum out sand
• Air it out for 1–2 days
• Store in a dry room with normal humidity
Mold LOVES damp SUP bags — keep them dry.
Prevent Mold, Mildew & Odors During Long Storage
To avoid that “winter garage smell”:
- Add moisture-absorbing packets (silica gel or reusable desiccants)
- Air out the storage space monthly
- Never seal a damp SUP or SUP bag
- Avoid basements unless well ventilated
If mold appears in spring, use a vinegar + water mix (NOT bleach — bleach damages PVC).
Protect Your Gear From UV Damage
Even during winter, UV exposure can discolor PVC, weaken rubber valves, and crack plastic. Store gear away from windows or direct sunlight. If sun can’t be avoided — cover your iSUP and accessories with a breathable cloth.
Quick Checklist — Off-Season iSUP Storage Essentials
- Clean everything (SUP, Boost Fin, paddle, adapters)
- Dry COMPLETELY
- Deflate SUP to 50%
- Avoid tight rolls
- Store indoors at stable temperature
- Charge Boost Fin to 40–60%
- Recharge every 6–8 weeks
- Keep gear in ventilated bags
- Use moisture absorbers
- Keep everything away from sunlight
Storing your gear properly during the off-season ensures that your inflatable SUP, Boost Fin, and paddle board accessories stay in perfect condition for next season.
A few simple steps — dry, deflate, clean, recharge — can add years to the lifespan of your equipment.
When you take care of your board and your motorized fin, they take care of you when the warm weather returns.
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