How to Get Rid of (and Prevent) Mould on Your SUP

The short answer

Mould grows when a board is stored damp. To remove it, clean the affected spots with mild soap and warm water — or a dilute white vinegar solution for stubborn patches — then rinse and, most importantly, dry the board completely. To prevent it, never pack the board away until it's bone dry. That one habit is the whole game.

Why mould happens

Mould and mildew need moisture, warmth, and time — exactly what a damp board rolled up in a bag provides. The usual culprits are packing the board away wet, storing it somewhere damp, or leaving it rolled in the backpack after a session. It tends to show up first in the deck pad grooves, because the foam is slightly porous and holds moisture longer than the smooth PVC, and along seams and creases where water lingers. The good news: because it's growing on the surface, it cleans off without affecting how the board performs.

Removing it — what you'll need

• Mild soap (washing-up liquid) and warm water
• White vinegar, for stubborn patches
• A soft brush or sponge (soft enough not to scratch the pad)
• Fresh water for rinsing, and a towel

Step by step

1. Start gentle. Mix mild soap with warm water and work it into the mouldy areas with a soft brush or sponge. For light mould, this alone often does it.
2. Step up to vinegar if needed. For stubborn spots, mix white vinegar roughly half-and-half with water, apply it to the area, and leave it a few minutes before scrubbing gently. Vinegar is a mild, material-friendly option that lifts mould without the harshness of bleach. Test a small, hidden area first to be sure you're happy with it.
3. Get into the deck pad grooves. This is where mould hides — a soft brush worked along the texture clears what a sponge can't reach.
4. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water so no cleaner is left behind.
5. Dry the board completely — both sides, out of direct sunlight. This step is non-negotiable: any moisture left behind and the mould simply returns.

What not to use

• Bleach and harsh solvents. They can damage the PVC, the deck pad, and the printed graphics — and Wave's own guidance is to avoid chemicals. Vinegar or mild soap is all you need.
• Stiff or abrasive brushes, which can scuff the surface and the pad.

A quick health note

Work in a well-ventilated spot, and if there's a fair amount of mould, dampen it before scrubbing rather than brushing it dry — that stops spores drifting up as you clean. A pair of gloves isn't a bad idea either.

Preventing it coming back

Removal is the easy part; prevention is where you actually win. The rule is simple — the board must be completely dry before it's stored — and these habits make it stick:

• Rinse and dry after every paddle. Salt and dirt hold moisture, so clearing them off helps — see cleaning after saltwater.
• Never roll a damp board into the bag. If you had to pack it away wet at the beach, unroll and dry it properly as soon as you're home.
• Dry both sides fully, giving the deck pad extra time — it holds water longest.
• Store somewhere cool, dry, and well-ventilated, out of direct sun — see our storage guide.
• Going away for the winter? Extra care applies over a long off-season — see winterising your paddleboard.

Don't forget the bag

A mouldy backpack will happily re-infect a clean board. If the bag has got damp or spotty, wipe it out with the same mild-soap or vinegar solution and let it dry fully before the board goes back in.

Quick reference