What’s The Driving Force Behind The Explosive Inflatable SUP Market?

It’s argued that the stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) are an enhancement of the existing solid non-inflatable surfboards. Realistically, the solid paddleboards are bulky and cumbersome to store and carry. They are very inflexible to transport by air since they demand more space. The inflatable SUPs, on the other hand, are easily deflated, and thus flexible to transport. They also occupy less space. This has seen the inflatable SUP market explode, and many people are opting for the paddleboards instead of their solid counterparts. So, what is the reason behind this blast? Well, the inflatable SUPs are not blow-up toys. They employ advanced technology, and it’s the technology that drives the industry.

The Technology behind the Inflated SUPs

The driving force for the inflatable SUP’s explosive market is a technology called Drop Stitch. This is an innovation that involves the creation of a 2-layer surface. The layers are stitched together by thin threads. The threads do not prevent the layers from collapsing together when deflated. This ensures that the paddleboards occupy less space. The Drop Stitch layers are not air-tight and so two other PVC layers need to be glued to them at the top and at the bottom. This ensures that pressure is contained inside the paddleboard when inflated.

If you cut the inflatable SUP across, there are several nylon strings inside. The inflatable SUP’s nylon strings are what give the paddleboards their rigidity. The strings also give the surfing boards their definite shapes when inflated. The recommended inflation pressure for the SUPs is 12-16 PSI. Provided you don’t exceed the limit, the paddleboards will work just fine. With a high-pressure pump, the paddleboards get inflated in 7-12 minutes. The inflatable SUPs also come with efficiently shaped boards and high quality fittings, and will deliver superb performance just like solid boards. So next time you are looking at inflatable SUPs and doubting their integrity, especially in comparison to the hard boards, think again.

The only shortcoming of the inflatable SUPs, when compared to the non-inflatable SUPs, is speed. The inflatable paddleboards are not fast to move with over water as their non-inflatable hard design counterparts. On a lighter note though, the paddleboards are rigid, lightweight, and convenient for all surfing enthusiasts. Anyone (whether young or old) can use the inflatable SUPs.

Bottom-line

There is no doubt that the technology behind the inflatable Sups is what makes the paddleboard effective for modern surfing and the reason why their popularity has surged in the recent past. The boards are versatile and flexible for close and distant sea surfing.

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