When you are paddle boarding for the first time, heading out with your new board for event joining friends to have a go on theirs, it pays to know what you’re going to need to do to get the board all ready and set up. Nobody wants to be looking clueless with an audience do they!? The first thing to be aware of is that is is really not hard at all! It’s surprisingly easy and quick! You won’t need tools or extras because everything comes with your package, including a repair kit should you need it. You can either choose to watch this short film to help you set up – or you can look through our step-by-step guide below. Unpack your SHARK SUPs back pack The backpack is included with every SHARK SUP board and has been designed to be lightweight, easy and comfortable to use and perfect for transporting your SHARK SUP. You’ll see that the double opening zips will allow you to fully open the bag so that you can easily access everything you need. Inside the bag are some internal loading straps that will keep your rolled up board in place. The front pocket is there to keep your pump and fin separately. Although the bag is large, you’ll see that there are also compression straps on the side so that you can tighten it all up when things are packed away. Preparing your SHARK SUP Take the board out of your backpack and unroll it onto a good flat open piece of ground. Once the board is rolled out, you can pick up your pump and walk to the valve end of your board (this should be on the uppermost side). Once you have the valve in front of you, twist the pin until it pops up. This is important because it will keep the air that you put into it from escaping. Pumping up your SHARK SUP The SHARK SUPs Bravo SUPer is one of the fastest and most efficient manual pumps on the market today allowing you to inflate and deflate your iSUP with the least number of strokes, in the least amount of time, with the least effort. The SHARK pump features a lightweight design, extremely low pumping resistance and an integrated pressure gauge. One way and dual pumping switching as well as a deflate option. We don’t want you to spend time pumping, we want to get you paddling as fast as possible, which is why the SUPer is packaged as standard with all of the SHARK SUPs range. Put the floor of the pump onto the ground. Then connect the hose to the board’s valve and twist it into place. Put your feet either side of the pump to keep it in position and then you can start to pump. As you look at the pump you will see a gauge. This will gradually change as you inflate your SHARK SUP. The more air you put into it, the closer the needle will get to the ‘green zone’. You want to aim to get that needle into the green zone for optimum inflation. Any less than this and your board will be ‘bendy’ on the water – even if it looks and feels ok. Of course – it will be harder to pump but that’s no reason to quit! Once you are fully inflated, you can release the pump and secure the cap. Adding the fin to your SHARK SUP The Shark SUPs Quick Fix Fin System is a fast and easy fin system to secure your fin to your board without the need for screws, nuts or tools. The quick fix fin slides into place and locks by pushing the fin backwards in the fin box. This is SHARK innovation at its best. In fact, when they reviewed it, SUPboarder Magazine said “Simple innovations from SHARK SUP that makes getting on the water and packing up easier than ever before.” To make that secure connection, turn your iSUP over and grab your fin. You will need to put this into the fin slot that should be clearly visible. This can take a bit of force – but that ensures that you don’t lose your fin when you are out on the water. Click the fin into place and slide it across as far as it will go. Attach your leash and put on your PFD We have three different types of leash. The SHARK coiled SUP leash is an important part of your paddle board set up promoting your safety whilst on the water. A coiled leash never drags in the water. It’s always out of the way but also keeps your board close to you. This leash is suitable for All Round, Touring, Race and Family Paddling. A straight leash is most suitable for surfing on your SUP. The Shark Lightweight Leash is not suitable for river paddling or in the surf. You’ll see a metal d-ring on the tail of your SHARK SUP. Here you can attach the leash; one end onto the board and one end on your ankle. Put your paddle together We have three types of paddle, but they all work in the same way. They are all designed to be light which reduces swing weight meaning you can paddle further for longer. The adjustable system allows you to quickly adjust the paddle to suit you height and style of paddling. The three piece design is practical and perfect for travelling, with no compromise on performance. The paddle splits into three parts so it can easily fit into your backpack, meaning you can go anywhere and do anything. Open up the clamp and slide the paddle shaft into the each piece until the metal pin pops through the hole and fixes into place. Close the clamp to secure it. The paddle height should be where you can reach up to the handle above your head but still in a comfortable position without being too far stretched. Finally We continuously seek to identify ways to improve the aesthetic design and performance of our boards based on feedback from our paddlers, partners and industry experts. Enabling paddlers to consciously purchase products that are geared towards reducing negative impact on the environment, whilst delivering a great on the water experience, is what we are all about. This also extends to our range of accessories where we develop relationships with partners who can help us provide high performing, sustainable accessories to match our boards. If you have feedback then we’d love to hear from you!
