Calling all paddle boarders.

[Litthefirealready]

I bought a paddle board last summer so ds and I could go off on days out with it - but I can’t pump it up the whole way on my own with the hand pump. Had to get dh to do the last bit up to the number it had to go to.

It felt firm as far as I could do it - is that ok and safe or does it really have to go all the way? So annoyed to have to rely on dh to do the last blooming bit.

It depends on how much you weigh. It might bend in the middle if you don't pump it up fully.

Ah, ok. Might have to go the whole hog then

Have you tried an electric pump? They are not that expensive and much quicker & easier. I have not tried mine yet, but I already know I’ll go for an electric pump so I’m not knackered before I have even started!

I pump mine up myself as go alone or with female friends and as long as it’s hard all along the board it’s fine.

See if you can find some friends who paddleboard I go a lot with female friends it’s a great sport you can chat be in nature on the river but it’s not too tiring but burns calories. Our kids aren’t bothered now but in the summer I was going myself several times a week!

Can I hijack the thread a little bit and ask if it’s something you need lessons on, or can just buy one and figure it out?

Get an electric pump, it revolutionised paddle boarding for me as I can now go without DH having to come along to do the pumping up.

@user143677433, we rented a place in Florida that came with them and we just jumped on and learned ourselves - it’s dead easy - just need to balance.
The one I bought is harder to use - I’m really wobbly on it but I just need practice.

I’m planning on getting an electric pump I think - but don’t you have to pump it up by the car? I find that a bit annoying but if I can go by myself then it’s worth it.

My friend has bought one too and so we are starting to plan outings

@Litthefirealready yes you have to pump it up by the car unless you get a battery powered one but they are huge and very expensive. You can get a little set of wheels or a shoulder strap to help you carry the board from the car to the water if that helps.

Can I hijack the thread a little bit and ask if it’s something you need lessons on, or can just buy one and figure it out?

Balancing standing up is the key. You can start kneeling down. The only bit that is difficult to learn yourself is the the proper paddling posture and technique.

My husband just can't do it. His attempts have provided much entertainment for bystanders. I've been told that he is on a YouTube fail video.

A minority just can’t do it dh is one he is too tall and nervous a bad paddleboarding combination! Most people can though you need to be quite fit if you have your own lugging it pumping It up all good exercise.