How Do I Protect My SUP Paddle from Loss? Make It Float!
As a SUP beginner, you are going to worry about how to make SUP paddle float.
Believe it or not; there will be instances when you will drop the paddle in the water. This happens even to the best of the paddlers out here.
Boom! If it doesn’t float, that is probably the end of your paddle and you will have to buy another one.
Therefore, you really need some helpful tips for how to make your SUP paddle float. Here are a few that can help you to not lose your costly stand up paddle boarding paddle.
How to make your SUP paddle float
Well, by design, all paddles are supposed to float if they fall into the water. However, as they age, they may let in water and sink.
Here are a few things to do to ensure that indeed, your paddle board paddle will float if it slips out of your hands:
Choose a one-piece paddle as opposed to adjustable paddle
One-piece paddles have no joints through which water can get into the shaft. Therefore, they float ever so easily when dropped in the water.
But for the sake of transporting your paddle board and paddle easily, you might consider a detachable 3-piece paddle board from Easy Eddy. Their paddles too are detachable.
In any case, there should be no water getting inside the three-piece paddle, unless it is damaged.
The only difference is that the one-piece paddle has no risk (unless it’s broken), of letting water in and sinking.
Test your SUP Paddle before you leave
Drop the SUP paddle in the swimming pool water. If it floats, then it is going to float in the lake or in the river water.
Also, watch the time it takes to float. If it takes too long, it could be letting in some water into the shaft through broken seals.
Insert foam into the shaft of adjustable paddle
If you have an adjustable paddle, it may not keep the water out completely. Therefore, when you drop it, water might get into the shaft and cause it to sink.
Today, paddle manufacturers insert foam inside the shaft of adjustable paddles. That way, it floats! If yours does not have this foam, you can buy foam and insert it. It is not hard at all.
Don’t let the paddle fall too far from you
While your SUP paddle may float, well, nothing says that it cannot float away completely with the current. If the paddle falls too far from you, you might have to dive after it.
The best thing is to not let the SUP paddle out of your hands.
Do all paddles float?
By design, all paddles whether they are wooden, fiberglass, plastic, aluminum or other material are designed to float.
Therefore, unless there is a flaw in their design, they will float all the time. In fact, the only thing you should worry about is having the paddle float away from you, with the current.
If the paddle has a hollow shaft, manufacturers add foam into it. This foam provides the buoyancy that keeps the paddles afloat.
Can DIY paddle float help?
Many kayakers usually make their own DIY paddle float. However, this might not work very well with the stand up paddle board because it might affect the way you paddle.
There is no harm in trying though. So you can go ahead and try to add a float to the paddle.
How do you stop a SUP paddle from sinking?
Every paddle boarding beginner is afraid of losing their paddle. But by default, SUP paddles are designed to float if they fall in water.
They are made of lightweight material such as aluminum, carbon blend, carbon or fiberglass. These materials have something in common – they float!
With time, these paddles can sustain wear and tear. Their structural integrity could be compromised and this might make them start sinking.
To stop your SUP paddle from sinking, you should add extra padding on the lower part of the shaft. That way, even if the paddle drops in the water, it will float right back up.
Why is my paddle board sinking?
While we are all about how to prevent loss of SUP paddle in the water, we might as well answer this question of: why does paddle board sink?
There are reasons!
Solid and inflatable paddle boards have hollow spaces inside. If there is a puncture or piercing, water will get inside. It will cause the board to start sinking.
This is why it is vital to check the overall condition when cleaning and storing the SUP board.
If there is any damage, you can repair the paddle board before taking it to the water next time.
Some paddle boards are also too heavy. There are 4 inch and 6 inch paddle boards, and the latter can be too heavy.
If something has a higher density than that of water, it will sink in water.
Your board could also start to sink if you overload it with stuff. If you are out fishing and you carry a lot of paddle board accessories, you might make it sink.
Find out the weight rating of the SUP board (your weight) and then do the math, so that you can estimate how much gear to bring with you.
If there is minimal space for extra weight, carry the vital stuff such as your Type III life jacket for paddle boarding, snacks, cellphone and others.
You could also pack your waterproof camera to capture footage on the water. Just don’t carry too much load.
Do paddle board paddle float?
By design, all paddles whether they are wooden, fiberglass, plastic, aluminum or other material are designed to float.
Therefore, unless there is a flaw in their design, they will float all the time. In fact, the only thing you should worry about is having the paddle float away from you with the current.
If the paddle has a hollow shaft, manufacturers add foam into it. This foam provides the buoyancy that keeps the paddles afloat.
Does a SUP Paddle float by default?
Stand up paddle board paddles are designed to float, by default. However, it does not hurt to be sure, so you could always test yours at home, in a bathtub.
If you use a 3-piece detachable paddle, you have to check it keenly because it can take in water. If this happens, it might not float too well.
The material used to make the paddle also matters a lot. For instance, fiberglass and carbon fiber paddles always float. However, collapsible paddles made of plastic, aluminum or nylon do not form a complete seal. Water gets in and they sink.
SUP paddles come with foam inside, so it is the one that makes them float. When used in any water item, including life jackets, foam makes them float.
Does fiberglass paddle float
A fiberglass paddle is going to float alright. Unlike plastic and aluminum detachable paddles that do not form a complete seal, this one floats very well.
However, floating does not mean you cannot lose it in water. If it slips out of your hands, it can float away with the current, and vanish.
Thus, it’s a good idea to have a SUP paddle leash so that you can keep it attached either to you or to the paddle board. This leash works the same way that the SUP leash keeps the board attached to your foot, to avoid losing it.
Even if they stay long in the water, these paddles are not going to sink because they do not absorb water. Wood paddles can absorb water, get too heavy and sink. These and the carbon fiber ones won’t sink.
Best SUP Paddles to Buy
If you have lost your SUP paddle, the following ones can make a good replacement:
Conclusion
Apart from adding foam to the shaft or attaching foam to the paddle, in which case it would hamper your ability to row, there is really not much that you can do on how to make SUP paddle float.
If it does not float when new, it has a design flaw and you should probably send it back. Otherwise, paddles are designed to float on salty or fresh water.
If you need a one-piece SUP paddle, you might consider getting the Aluminum Airhead SUP paddle on amazon.com.
