Pool Sport Game Ideas, Maintenance Tips and More
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Pool Sport Game Ideas, Maintenance Tips and More
Best places to paddleboard in the US
Paddleboarding is quickly taking over the sports horizon as one of the best things to do. There really is nothing that is more peaceful and enlightening than slowly paddling yourself across the quiet waters. Paddleboarding has become the perfect and peaceful way to explore some of the greatest places in the United States. If you are looking for the best places to
paddleboard in the United States, then you have to check out these tranquil places.
Best Paddleboarding Places in the Country
Merritt Island, Florida
This place is ideal for paddleboarding. After the sun goes down make your way up the Banana River. You will see glow-in-the dark life forms being stirred up in your wake. As you paddleboard the area you are bound to see manatees, pelicans and a wide variety of fish. Enjoy the peaceful experience as you pass large homes built right on the water. Each with its own elegance to enjoy.
Lake Powell, Arizona
It is here that you will find 96 different red-rock canyons ready for your exploration. Lake Powell is the second largest lake in the United States. You can easily get lost in the exploration of this place. Pack a lunch and head out to find the perfect place to enjoy the ever-changing scenery. You will want to take pictures to remember your time in this peaceful area.
Bridgton, Maine
Back in the hill country of Maine is Moose Pond. The weather can turn cold in the winter but during the other three seasons paddleboarding is a delight. Enjoy the scenery in the fall as the trees change into the bright colors of the rainbow. Take time to beach your board and take a swim along the ponds coastline. Many paddleboarders are discovering Moose Pond to be a great place to get in touch with nature on their board.
Naples, Florida
Naples is known for its beautiful sunsets and white sand beaches. It is here that paddleboarders can enter into the 10,000 islands that make up the massive mangrove habitat. Here you will find a private beach to walk along and collect the many shells that color the landscape. You can also enjoy the scenery with a wide array of birds to watch. You will be hard-pressed to see another human for miles around. Maybe you will get lucky and see a manatee in its wild habitat.
Hood River, Oregon
It is here that peace meets fun. The river offers a lot of different environments for paddleboarders to enjoy. Beginners can seek out the calm waters while more experienced paddlers can explore is massive coastline. You will feel like a part of nature as your work your way through the terrain. Enjoy the challenge of rapids as you traverse this tranquil river.
Anchorage, Alaska
Most people think that paddleboarding can only be done where it is warm but that is far from the truth. Paddleboarding is taking over the northern states. Alaska has a wide range of waterways that are perfect for paddleboarding. Head over to Wasilla Lake located in the scenic Matanuska Valley. Here you will find calm conditions and endless picture taking scenery.
The Keys of Florida
Blue water meets endless fun. Boaters come to this place for the vast enjoyment of fishing and scuba diving. Paddleboarders come here to enjoy the clear waters and warm sun. You will an endless array of paddleboarding spots as the entire area has much to offer. You will see manatees, sting rays mangroves and a whole host of underwater life found nowhere else in the world.
Black Canyon, Nevada
The Colorado River is the ultimate place for Paddleboarding. The scenery is always changing. For people that practice yoga on their boards they will find that it is the most peaceful place in the country. Head over to the Hoover Dam to see on of mankind's greatest achievements.
Stand Up Paddleboarding is quickly become a popular sport for a lot of reasons. There are endless places that you can explore throughout the United States. It is time to see the country one waterway at a time.
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How Do You Store an Inflatable SUP for Winter?
When winter is coming and the temperatures start to get cold, you may be wondering about the best way to store an inflatable SUP. The options for off-season storage are pretty straightforward but there are some best practices. An inflatable SUP is much easier to store than a traditional one since it comes with its own carrying case and can be deflated to fit in smaller storage spaces.
Storing an Inflatable SUP for Winter
It's important to store your inflatable SUP correctly or else it could result in a damaged paddleboard when you pull it out for summertime again. If you want to learn more about how to store SUPs correctly keep reading.
Clean the SUP
You want to make sure that you rinse it with freshwater to remove any dirt, sand, grime, or salt. Be sure to avoid any strong chemicals and solvents. You will also want to have the board dry before you fully put it away.
Where to Store
As you consider your options for storage, there are a few things you want to keep in mind when storing your stand up paddleboard for winter.
Sunlight: The ultraviolet rays that come with sunlight can be damaging to the stand up paddleboard and can cause discoloration.
Moisture: An environment that is wet can encourage mildew and mold growth and even damage part of the material on the SUP.
Extreme Heat: Extreme temperatures caused by a heat source or the sun can do damage to the materials of the stand up paddleboard.
There are generally two options for storing your stand up paddleboard: you can do it indoors or outdoors. The easiest storage solution is to keep it indoors. If you have an inflatable SUP then indoors can be much easier since you can deflate it and keep it away in a smaller space. If you are keeping it outside then you need to take some extra precautions to protect your stand up paddleboard from the elements. Be sure it's in a shady spot away from the heat and UV rays and protect it from any rain or snow.
How to Store Inflatable SUPs
There are three basic ways to store your SUP, including:
Burrito
This method involves rolling the deflated board up just like a burrito. In order to do this, you need to make sure that all the air has been squeezed out. You can use the same technique you would use when trying to store an air mattress: roll and smooth it section by section. Once the board is in a tight roll then you can store it.
Bag it Up
Your Dunn-Rite stand up paddleboard comes with a carrying case. You can use the same roll and smooth technique in order to ensure the board is deflated. You want to be as thorough as you can since the smaller you make the board, the easier it is to zip it in the bag. Your bag should be able to fit your SUP, as well as all the accessories.
Semi-Inflated
If you have the space then you can store your stand up paddleboard inflated. However, it's recommended that you do let out some air to lower the PSI slightly. There isn't a gain from leaving the SUP inflated with full pressure when you aren't using it. Giving the seams a break from full inflation from time to time will keep your inflatable SUP in better shape. When you store your SUP this way, as you go to use it the next time you will only need to top off the air instead of inflate it from scratch.
Leave SUPs Inflated in Storage
If you are storing your inflatable stand up paddleboard inside, out of direct sunlight, and away from any extreme temperature changes then you can leave the SUP inflated. You can do this indefinitely but if you want to preserve the lifespan of your board then deflating it periodically is your best bet.
More Tips on Storing SUPs
You want to make sure that you store your SUP where there is ease of access. You don't want it to be so difficult to get that you aren't able to use it come springtime. A quality stand up paddleboard is an investment so you also want to take steps to protect the paddleboard from being stolen. Keep it hidden from view as much as possible. When you take great care of your SUP, you can increase its longevity.
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Stand Up Paddleboard Fishing
You're a fishing addict who's eyeing up that shiny new SUP. Almost involuntarily a question emerges in your brain: "
Can you fish from an inflatable stand up paddleboard?"
You wonder if you're crazy for asking such a question. After all, technically you can fish from anything that floats like an iceberg or a bathtub. That doesn't necessarily mean you
should. The more pertinent question would be, Can you fish from an iSUP without losing your gear, falling in the water or wishing the idea had never crossed your mind?
Truth be told, you're not crazy for having thoughts of stand up paddleboard fishing adventures. Yes, you can successfully fish from a paddleboard. No, you shouldn't do so without reading this first.
Throwing every fishing item you own onto your inflatable stand up paddleboard with no forethought could be, at best, mildly unpleasant. With a little preparation, however, you could be the envy of the water. Here are some quick tips for blissfully combining stand up paddleboarding and fishing.
What Do You Need to Bring When Fishing from an Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard?
It's best to be a minimalist when fishing from a stand up paddleboard. You won't have as much storage as you would when fishing from a kayak or especially a boat. But if you stop and think about it, many times you bring more than you need when fishing from a boat anyway.
Being minimalistic helps you simplify the process and take only what you know will be effective which can make the trip less complicated and more enjoyable. Bring anything you would on a normal fishing trip such as gear, food and water, just with much less bulk.
Where Can You Go When Fishing from an iSUP?
In theory, you could go anywhere there is fish although it's wise to use a bit more discretion than that. Fishing from an iSUP can be done in both saltwater and freshwater.
Having said that, choosing optimal settings and conditions will increase your enjoyment as well as your safety. Deep, lazy rivers are ideal for iSUP fishing. However, fast-moving rivers with gravelly or rocky shallows should be avoided. Not only can they damage your inflatable stand up paddleboard, they also can pose a safety risk.
Lakes and bays make a great option, however you'll want to avoid windy days when the waves churn up. You will also have to judge how far to safely go out on a larger body of water. It's best to stay within a reasonable distance from the shoreline in case of an emergency or rapidly changing weather patterns.
What Type of Fishing Work Best from an iSUP?
Whether you hope to cast spinners, flies or live bait, an inflatable stand up paddleboard can be an excellent choice. One of the greatest advantages of paddleboard fishing is that you can quietly get into very shallow water (as shallow as 5 inches). That would be impossible in most anything else that floats.
Trolling lures, live bait or a combination of the two also works well. Regardless of the type of fishing you do, you'll want a rod holder for when you are navigating (especially when trolling). Trolling allows you to fish while you're moving, saving precious time that otherwise couldn't be used fishing.
How do You Land a Fish Without Falling in the Water?
Imagine hooking the fish of a lifetime only to fall overboard as you try to land it. Definitely not cool. One of the best ways to avoid this is to bring a long-handled net along (one you can use from the standing position).
If you are new to paddleboard fishing, consider using a wider paddleboard. This will give you more stability during casting, hooking and landing of fish. A bit of extra stability will go a long way when you are trying to reel in a big one.
What Do You Wear When Paddle Board Fishing?
In the summer of northern regions or year-around in warmer regions, wear whatever you're comfortable with. Of course, as with any water sport activity, you will want to protect yourself from the sun.
If you live in a location with colder weather, that doesn't necessarily mean you have to give up SUP fishing. You could wear a wetsuit and go out on days when it would otherwise be too chilly to do so. You also may enjoy the lack of summer crowds, making for a more peaceful setting.
Do you get excited at the thought of paddleboard fishing? You should! Feel free to browse Dunn Rite's wide selection of inflatable stand up paddleboards to bring a new level of adventure to your next fishing excursion!
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Can I Leave My Stand Up Paddleboard Inflated?
Can I Leave My Stand Up Paddleboard Inflated?
Although high-quality inflatable paddleboards are remarkably durable, proper storage is critical to protect your investment. It’s all too easy to come home exhausted from a day on the water and just plop your iSUP anywhere it happens to land without thinking about increasing its longevity.
Your life is likely busy, but taking a few minutes to properly store your iSUP will pay off in the long run. So, how do you store your inflatable paddleboard and is keeping it inflated OK? What follows should help.Can You Keep an Inflatable Paddleboard Inflated While Storing It?
Keeping your
inflatable paddleboard inflated during storage is fine. Just be sure to keep your SUP out of the elements when storing it. Leaving it fully inflated in direct sunlight and out of the water could cause your paddleboard to burst. Also, leaving your paddleboard outside will diminish the lifespan you could have enjoyed from your watercraft.
Rinse your SUP with water after each use and let it dry outside. This is especially important if you typically paddleboard in salt water. Because of the corrosive properties of salt water, cleaning your SUP after each use will significantly prolong its life. Freshwater use will allow for more flexibility if you don't clean your SUP after every use.
If you need a little extra cleaning power, using natural soap with water will work fine. There also are a variety of products you can use to protect your SUP from UV rays. Products are on the market to use for removing stains from your paddleboard too.
Once your SUP is properly cleaned, promptly bring it indoors. So long as you store the paddleboard indoors away from extreme temperatures, your SUP will stay in top working shape. You want cool indoor temps so your paddleboard doesn't expand (if kept inflated). You also want dry conditions to prevent mildew or mold.
Consider Occasionally Deflating Your Inflatable Paddleboard.
Having said that, it’s smart to periodically deflate your inflatable paddleboard. That's a lot of pressure in your watercraft over time if you don't. By occasionally relieving that pressure, it should be fine.
One way to do this is to keep your iSUP inflated when stored during high-use times of the year for the sake of convenience. Although you want to be sure there are no leaks in your inflatable paddleboard before going on the water, minor loss of air while in storage is pretty normal. If you plan to leave your inflatable paddleboard inflated for extended days, be sure to check it each time before use to be sure it’s at optimal pressure levels.
If you expect a stretch of weeks or months when you won't be using your SUP, consider letting some of the air out of it. During those lesser used times of the year, you can also remove the
leash and fins from your inflatable paddleboard, roll it up and place it in your storage bag. You'll want to make sure the paddleboard was rinsed clean with fresh water and is completely dry. Doing these 2 quick things before storing will help to avoid issues with mold or damage from contaminants.Some Wear and Tear is Normal with an Inflatable Paddleboard
Lets face it, your iSUP isn't a museum artifact. It will eventually develop some "battle scars" such as scratches or discoloring. You can wear those imperfections proudly knowing the memories and adventures you created on your paddleboard were well worth those dings.
At the same time, taking some minor steps can help you get the most out of your inflatable paddleboard. Do your best to avoid dropping it on the ground, putting pressure on the board when your fin is on land and refrain from dragging it over rough surfaces such as gravel or asphalt. Also, be careful not to lay your inflatable paddleboard on hot surfaces such as parking lots or sand.If You Love the Water, Check Out Dunn Rite
Are you a paddleboarding enthusiast or do you hope to be one in the near future? If so, feel free to check out our selection of
inflatable paddleboards. Finding the right one will transform your outdoor water adventures into something truly unique!Dunn-Rite Pool Products & Pool Accessories
3rd Generation Family Owned Company with a long history of developing innovative products of the highest quality.
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What Muscles Does Paddleboarding Work?
Stand up paddleboarding can be a relaxing and fun activity that mostly anyone can do and it's also a great workout. People of all sizes, shapes and ages can make stand up paddleboarding a fun fitness activity. It's not only a complete body workout but is also a low-impact exercise that requires and helps build a combination of endurance, strength and balance.
What Is the Proper Stroke Technique for Stand Up Paddleboarding?
The proper stroke technique for stand up paddleboarding needs the body's muscles working together as one through each phase of the stroke. If you are doing it correctly then your core and back are actually doing most of the work. This can be a relief since those muscle groups are much stronger than the arms. If your arms are tiring quickly when paddleboarding, then you are likely using incorrect form. You can transfer the brunt of the stroke's resistance to the more powerful and bigger muscles of your body in order to paddle farther, faster and with less fatigue.
The core is the main power source for the proper stroke. Instead of relying on your shoulders or arms to pull the paddle to you, twist slightly in the chest and dip your stroke-side shoulder in order to engage your abdominal and oblique muscles to pull the body forward. Both core and back muscles are involved and engaged in this technique when done correctly.
A good stand up paddleboarding stroke involves twisting and hinging at the waist in order to pull your body toward the paddle. This technique takes the pressure off the upper arms. In order to fully engage the upper back, including the trapezius and deltoids, keep the lower arm straight when you plant and pull the paddle. Use your lower hand as leverage for the paddle shift. The upper arm should be hinged slightly at the elbow and push the grip forward. If you are doing it correctly then you will feel a squeeze between your shoulder blades and won't have fatigue in your shoulders and arms.
In order to optimize the paddleboarding stroke technique and get the most power out of the muscle groups, you should think of your shoulders as anchors between the power muscles (core and back) and your leverage limbs (arms). You want your shoulders constantly engaged but not being used as the primary power source for the stroke. Constantly lifting and pulling the paddle will demand a lot from your shoulders and strength will improve the performance of the other muscles involved.
Difference between Inflatable and Non-Inflatable Paddleboards
There are plenty of differences between
inflatable stand up paddleboards and non-inflatable paddleboards but the muscle groups you work will be the same. Since hard paddleboards are more agile and have better glide your muscles may work a little harder when using a non-inflatable paddleboard.
Exercises to Help You Paddleboard Better
There are a number of different exercises you can do to strengthen the muscles you use while paddle boarding.
Dorsiflexion: The goal with this exercise is to strengthen ankle muscles for stability and balance. Attach a band around the top of the foot and something that doesn't move. Pull the mid foot toward your shin. Keep toes relaxed to focus on your ankle.
Single Arm Pull: The goal is to train the arms in order to move the paddle effectively. Pull a resistance band or cable slowly and stop the elbow at the side of the body.
Opposite Arm and Leg Reach: The goal is to strengthen the hamstrings with added instability. Work each leg one at a time so this can strengthen your weaker leg.
Plank Hold: Plank holds help strengthen the core and upper body muscles. This makes it easier to push up from the kneeling position on the paddleboard and get back down if needed. In order to make plank holds more challenging, lift one arm off the ground and reach toward the sky. This mimics the rotation needed when on the board with a paddle.
Squats: Squats will help strengthen the legs to help you get up and down from a kneeling position. Squats also help you stay in an athletic stance when rowing with the paddle. If you are able to touch the ground during your squats, it will help more with transitions on the paddleboard.
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