SUP Pump: How To Inflate SUP With Electric Pump

Once inflatable SUP lovers go electric, almost no one goes back to hand pumping, and for a good reason!  Now, we’re not saying hand pumps don’t work at all. They’re a handy option for new iSUPers who are still not dedicated.

But for dedicated inflatable SUPers, on the other hand, electric pumps may be the best. Here’s why:

• With an electric pump, you don’t have to do much work, as there’s no manual pumping. So, you don’t have to ever worry about getting drained up before your ride!
• With a hand pump, you can always stop pumping when you reach your desired PSI, but many electric SUP pumps enable you to set your PSI, even turn it off when reaching this pressure, so the SUP doesn’t overinflate.
• Another perk of owning an electric SUP pump is the time of inflation. With an electric pump, you can usually fill your paddleboard completely much quicker than you would with a hand pump. More time for your sea trip!

Usability of sup pump

As a lover of an inflatable SUP, you know how painful hand pumping can be. It can take a long time to inflate your board with a hand pump because the process is so tedious. And then, when your SUP deflates in the middle of your session, you have to start all over again! It’s very frustrating! An electric paddle board pump solves all of these problems.

How Long Will It Take to Inflate Your SUP?

The time you take to inflate your SUP depends on the type of pump used. It can take up to 10 minutes or more if you’re using a regular manual pump. (It depends on how quickly you can pump, though!)

On the other hand, it’ll take a maximum of 6-8 minutes to inflate your SUP using a good electric pump, depending on the board size.

What is the Recommended PSI?

The ideal PSI level for an inflatable stand-up paddleboard is between 10 and 15. However, the majority of SUPers inflate their boards to 10-12 PSI.

If you’re riding in cold water, higher pressure levels would be better. Increase the PSI of your board as well if you need a little extra stability. As a general rule, keep your paddleboard’s PSI above 10. Otherwise, it will be less stable and may wrinkle in the center if too much weight is placed on it.

The maximum PSI for an inflatable paddle board is 25. However, it’s not recommended to inflate your SUP over 15 PSI as you will only see small, incremental gains in the board’s rigidity past that point.

How to Inflate a SUP Using an Electric Pump?

Step 1: Take your deflated board and unfurl it completely before laying it flat. The board’s top side should be facing up.

Step 2: Make sure that the yellow pin in the valve is still there. If the pin isn’t already upright, flip it.

Step 3: You’ll want to connect the hose that comes with your electric SUP pump to the paddleboard’s inflation side. Make sure your hose is attached to the right side and not the deflation side by accident.

Step 4: Ensure both sides of your hose are firmly attached. If you twist it to the right, some electric pumps will lock.

Step 5: Set the PSI to your desired level if it’s possible in your electric pump.

Step 6: As the paddleboard fills, stay aware of the level of pressure. Some paddle board pumps can fill more air than the PSI limit you set. As you go, don’t ignore the reading on the pressure gauge.

Step 7: Allow the electric SUP pump to fill your inflatable paddleboard automatically. You may have to wait up to 10 minutes for this, with some cases requiring more time and others requiring less. It’s normal to feel like the board is inflating very quickly straight away, so don’t panic! After 10 PSI, the rate of inflation will start to slow down.

Step 8: The majority of electric pump manufacturers have a maximum pressure limit of 15 PSI, so stop inflating once your air pressure hits that level.

Step 9: Your should completely inflate your iSUP at 12 PSI most of the time. But if this wasn’t the case for you, a few pumps with your hand pump will do the job. Unless you want to end up with an explosion, NEVER go beyond the pressure limit.

Step 10: Once you’ve pumped your SUP, turn the hose counterclockwise to unlock it. Then, remove the hose from the SUP, put the protective cap on, and put your SUP pump back where it belongs.

How to Deflate Your SUP?

Step 1: An electric SUP pump makes deflating as easy as inflating. Your SUP has two openings – one is for inflation and the other for deflation. Now, you’re going to need to attach your hose to the deflation side, and the SUP will be deflated on its own within several minutes.

Step 2: No electric pump? No problem! You can still deflate your SUP, but expect the process to take longer. It would be best if you opened the valve and position it so that it isn’t upright. The air will start to escape. Gently push your feet or hands on the board to speed it up. Be careful not to push too hard, or you might pop the seams open.

Step 3: It’s time to roll up your paddleboard now that it’s deflated. To begin, position yourself near the board’s hose. It’s fine if there’s still air in the board; you’ll be able to force it out as you go.

Step 4: Roll your paddleboard more, seeking the action mount as you do that. Since it won’t fold neatly on its own, you can try to wrap the mount with the board’s inflatable material.

Step 5: The fins on your paddleboard might also be a problem as they won’t fit with your rolled-up board. You want to work around the fins the same way you did with the action mount.

Step 6: When you get to the board’s tail, the valve will start to make noise. Don’t worry, though, as this only means that the air is escaping. It’s a good thing!

Step 7: Now that your board is rolled up, put it back in the carry bag it came in. Use the cinching straps in order to keep the board in place.

What Will Happen If You Over-Inflate Your SUP?

Basically, your paddleboard’s seams can split due to extreme over-inflation, or the highly pressurized air may find a weak area in the material and make a hole there.

Highly pressurized air can explosively and quickly turn a small hole into a big tear and potentially cause irreparable damage to the board.

Unless you leave or store your paddleboard in a hot place — which can expand board more than 2 PSI — it’s not likely that you’ll have an issue if you over-inflate your board by a few PSI beyond the manufacturer’s recommended guidelines.

Heat causes air to expand, resulting in a rise in air pressure (PSI). That natural increase in pressure might cause a SUP board that is already slightly over-inflated to pop. That would suck!

What Will Happen If You Under-Inflate Your SUP?

The performance of the paddleboard mainly depends on stiffness and rigidity. At around 3-4 PSI, inflatable paddle boards return to their original form (depending on their size).

You’d notice it if you stopped pumping and went out on the water with your under-inflated paddleboard at 4 PSI. The thing would bend around you at the point where you stand. It’d be like trying to paddle on a pool noodle. 

To put it in simple words, your paddleboard won’t be damaged if it’s underinflated, but it won’t perform as well as it should.

Our Two Picks For Best Electric SUP Pump

1. Electric SUP Air Pump Compressor

The first electric SUP Pump we recommend on this list is the Electric SUP Air Pump Compressor. Why? Simply because it has everything you could look for in an electric pump!

• Quick Inflation: The pump features a 3.3ft-long flexible air line that allows you to inflate and deflate your SUP quickly.

• Rechargeable & Compact: It comes with a built-in 12V, 6000mAh rechargeable Li-ION battery and can also be charged with an integrated car cigarette plug power cable, allowing you to use it anywhere!

• Easy To operate: It is equipped with a digital LCD screen and touch button control panel for convenient operation and features a smart inflator design with an air pressure preset. There’s also a built-in LED flashlight.

• 0-16 PSI Setting: While you don’t need to inflate most stand up paddle boards over 15 PSI, it has adjustable PSI air pressure settings from 0 to 16 with selectable pressure units to PSI, so you may choose the goal level to avoid over-inflation.

• Lightweight: If you can carry ‎4.84 lbs, this pump is super easy to carry around!

• Versatile: Not only will this work for SUPs, but it’ll also inflate your pool toys and other inflatable toys.

2. Digital Electric Air Pump Compressor

The Digital Electric Air Pump Compressor is your best bet when it comes to price and value for money! This one costs less but offers some decent features, like:

• Convenient operation: This 110-watt air pump comes with a digital LCD display and button controls, making it easy to operate.

• Simple electric plug-in design: It also comes with a heavy-duty wired power cable. With the cigarette accessory jack, you can power it by DC 12 volt or through a car power outlet.

• Adjustable PSI settings: The pump has an adjustable air pressure setting between 0-16 PSI that allows you to set the pressure to the level you desire without over-inflating.

• Space-saving: The pump comes with a long, flexible hose and can be easily assembled and disassembled. It also has a convenient carry bag for traveling.

Our two best electric paddle board pump picks are the Compact Digital Air Pump Compressor SLPUMP50 and the Compact Digital Air Pump Compressor SLPUMP20. Each has its pros and cons, but in our opinion, Air Pump Compressor SLPUMP50 shines as a product. The great price point is just one of many reasons we love this pump!

A good inflatable SUP adventure starts with a good pump, so make sure you have one that gets the job done!