Author - miharausl

Reaching new horizons is one of SipaBoards' aspirations and something that drives us both when we develop our boards as when we're exploring with them. We're proud that we have ambassadors out there who share our mindscape and live out their wildest adventures with us.

One of the hidden Slovenian gems, the endemic Karst Vipava river cuts through the namesake valley, leaving vineyards on one side and high plateaus on the other.

Too much can never be too much when it comes to SUP safety. You should always consider your capabilities, your surroundings and your equipment before venturing out. Check your gear, fill your batteries, enjoy your paddle and get back safe!

For more tips, the editorial experts at SUP Connect have covered each aspect into further detail. Check out this extensive article from here.

Even though 2021 was a rocky year in many ways, paddle boarding is still hard on the rise in 2022. With millions of new paddlers hitting the waters around the world, there's also a growing need to discuss paddleboard safety. Users who paddle for a longer time or have transitioned to SUP from surfing or kayaking are usually more aware of the perils that changing weather can bring or how to navigate different types of waterbeds. But for many, SUP safety is a relatively new area and here are some quick basics to make sure you'll be paddling safely.

To start off, even before you take your paddle board out, always have a bottle of water at hand, wear sunscreen and make sure you understand your surroundings. Understand that winds can change and tides can pull heavier than you can paddle. If you’re new to an area, make sure you ask locals for paddling advice and safety tips.

Our overview includes four aspects of safety gear that will help you in different situations.

Wearing a leash on your SUP is similar to getting into the car and fastening your seatbelt. The leash will help you reach your board quickly after the fall and stay afloat. Not having it might put a lot of distance between you and the board and make you lose energy swimming after it.

Coiled leash? Straight leash? Quick-release?

For most paddlers who'll be paddling on calmer waters, a coiled leash is a perfect fit. It'll stay put on the board, create no drag and still give you enough length not to get hit by the board on the recoil.

Having a straight leash will be a top choice while paddling on waves, when you get the extra push and don't mind the dragging leash in the water.

A quick release system is an added strap you pull (either knee or waist mounted) when you want the board to disconnect. This is a safety feature handy in white-water paddling where getting tangled in swirls or underwater debris could hold you under water.

Having a PFD is one of the most recommended advice you can get. There's a number of things that can happen while paddling in nature and having a PFD can mean a life-saving decision.

Most PFDs are self inflatable (using compressed gases) and will inflate by pulling a special lever. The inflated device will help you stay afloat, reach your board or swim to the shore if you get disconnected from it. With accidents becoming a commonplace in the SUP industry, there are more and more places where the use of PFDs  is becoming mandatory.

Much like the leash, a PFD can be a vital addition when pushing out and reaching beyond the bend.

Riding electric SUP boards or a SUP with a paddle assist system on your board can help you in a singular way. While a leash, PFD or double-chamber can help you remain afloat and close to your board, an electric motor on your SUP board can help you get back to safety, once the weather or tides change. There are different types of motorized electric SUP options that you can go for.

Even equipped and experienced paddlers can get pulled out on a current or a changing tide, which can end terribly if you don't reach shore or help quick enough. We're seeing news of rising numbers in paddler rescues all over the world and the reasons are always the same: changing conditions lead to scenarios paddlers didn't prepare for, so always keep in made – SUP safety first.

Having an on-board Paddle assist system like the SipaDrive can give you a boost whenever you feel overwhelmed by nature. Adding up to 7km/h will feel like riding your board in tandem and help you get back safe.

One of the attempts our industry is pushing for is a double-chamber SUP board. In short, a double chamber iSUP is a board with two separated air compartments that get inflated individually. If one of the chambers releases air and deflates, the paddler still has a second one that will help them stay above water and reach the shore easier. Many premium brands are championing double chamber boards as one of the SUP safety tips.

While the double chamber technology is popular, it comes with a twist. Ever heard the phrase: “Double chamber, double danger”? Well, in most cases the board will default and lose air at a seam as a result of dissolving sealant or glue rather than rupture. So while a part of the industry is developing boards with more chambers, a growingly popular opinion is that additional seams and sealing can lead to more problems than less. Most cases where people are left with a deflated board happen because of air leakage.

The alternative to the double chamber technology is switching from glues to heat-bonding, which improves the board's integrity and reduces the possibility of air leakage.

Too much can never be too much when it comes to SUP safety. You should always consider your capabilities, your surroundings and your equipment before venturing out. Check your gear, fill your batteries, enjoy your paddle and get back safe!

For more tips, the editorial experts at SUP Connect have covered each aspect into further detail. Check out this extensive article from here.

Did you know that with our motorized electric paddle boards the safety leash is just a part of a user friendly carry system that will help you get in and out of water with ease? 😊

Sources:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GySFjKpkHs
• https://www.supconnect.com/news/sup-gear/6-essential-sup-safety-items-that-you-should-never-be-without

There has been a growing amount of discussion over the last years regarding motorized standup paddle boards. As more people are paddling out on SUP boards with different motors we wanted to prepare a run-down of the pluses and minuses of the new popular electric boards.

Judging quickly, a motor on a standup paddle board is as needles as a motor on a scooter or a bicycle, yet every segment of the three has been growing over the last years. The main reason against is most commonly that the motor does the job of paddling and there is only little workout left. But rest assured, even with a motor equipped standup paddleboard, you'll be able to work out just as hard as on a classic board.

Think of the motor on a SUP boards as an upgrade feature that your board can have. There are different makes and motor ideas we discuss later on, but with a premium mark motorized SUP provider like SipaBoards, none of the riding characteristics are lost. What really sets propelled or paddle-assisted SUPs apart from the competition are these three factors:

1. They are much safer

Conditions on water can change rapidly. Winds can pick up, paddlers can get pulled out to open water by a current or a changing tide and battling these forces can leave the paddler drained. With the popularity of standup paddle-boarding, there are growing numbers of unprepared paddlers that need coast-guard assistance due to unpreparedness.

A standup paddle board with motor can give you just the support needed to tackle a current or take an offshore wind head on.  Paddlers should always understand their surroundings , the weather and water in order to stay safe.

2. You can paddle further and faster

Adding to the list are more speed and a wider reach. Paddlers can selectively turn the motor on and off, going for more speed when wanted and reaching more remote locations. While battery autonomy varies in different products, SipaBoards has a water-tight system that enables the user a battery - switch even when they are on the water. Some motorized standup paddlers are recording distances up to 30 kilometres on a single ride and top-sprint speeds well over 14 km/h.

3. You can still get the same workout

The beauty of a well made motorized SUP is that it can be used with or without the motor. And even instances where the motor is on, the paddler can still push as hard as on any standard board, they will only generate more speed that way. With integrated motors the surface area is also cleared of any add-ons for activities like SUP yoga. But with a quality inflatable SUP like SipaBoards, you will be able to lift your exercises on an even higher lever.

While some motors are developed for speed, some are developed to provide a longer and safer riding experience. At SipaBoards, we build our motorized SUP boards to assist the paddler when they need an extra push, but not hinder the great paddle experience when they don't. The boards are controlled via a Bluetooth remote fixed to any paddle, which makes them the easiest option in terms of navigation.

An integrated choice might offer a smoother ride and less drag, but it really comes down to the shape of the board, when selecting which board fits you best.

If you need help with selecting a model, ask our crew in the chat-box.

A motorized SUP boards are only as good as the battery that powers it. Think of how much time your average ride lasts and whether you can or need to charge the battery after every use. A rule of thumb would be to have a battery with at least twice the lifetime as a single ride duration.

Note also that a motorized SUP needs a bit more maintenance than a no-motor version. Always check the battery's capacity before going out and be thorough when cleaning the board. Even though most brands offer motors that are resistant to salt and sand, the combination of the two can be a problem for any motor.

More and more brands are offering SUP motors and motorised SUP boards, so these are turning into a trend. Go out faster, learn quicker, even discover supping during the night time (if your SUP has integrated LED lights of corse) and always return safe. Much like the revolution that happened with in the e-bike industry, electric mobility is now the next frontier in SUP exploration.

It really comes down to what kind of a user are you. The advantages are clear, while disadvantages vary - from created drag and goofy course, to the price you pay.

Die hard purists swear to no-motor boards, while more and more people are flocking to powered-up boards. If you wish to get the most out of any day on water, then having an upgraded experience and an e-SUP is a win.

For us at SipaBoards, safety is paramount and as ours are some of the safest SUPs worldwide, we will always be a champion for safer, electric powered rides.

Motorized SUP boards are the future - they are safer and more stable. See how our SipaDrive is made in a video below!

Sources:

• https://standuppaddleboardworld.com/best-paddle-board-motor-gear/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOSb3ouuBlw
• https://e-surfer.com/en/shop/electric-sup/sipaboards-electric-sup-with-motor/