How to Store an Inflatable SUP (Rolled vs. Inflated)

The short answer

For most people, rolled up in the backpack it came in, kept somewhere cool, dry, and out of direct sunlight, is the best way to store your board — and it's what Wave recommends. Storing it inflated is perfectly fine too if you have the space, as long as you drop the pressure and keep it out of heat and sun. The golden rule for either method: the board must be clean and completely dry before it goes away.

Rolled vs. inflated — at a glance

Before you store it — either way

Whichever method you choose, do these first, every time:

• Clean it with a fresh-water rinse (especially after the sea) — see cleaning after saltwater.
• Dry it thoroughly, both sides, out of direct sun. A damp board in storage is the number-one cause of mould.
• Detach the fin. Wave's manual recommends removing the fin before packing down to avoid it puncturing the board or bending the fin slot.

How to store it rolled (the recommended way)

1. Deflate fully. Remove the valve cap and press the valve pin down into deflate mode. Most of the air will rush out; to get the board properly flat, start at the nose and use your hands to push the remaining air towards the valve.
2. Roll from the end opposite the valve, using the fold guide printed on the board as your starting point. Flatten the board as you go so no air is trapped.
3. Lock the valve. Once you've rolled as far as the valve, release the valve pin so it springs back to the locked position, and re-attach the valve cap.
4. Bag it. Pack the rolled board into the backpack provided.

A note on tightness: roll it neatly and compactly enough to fit the bag, but don't wrench it brutally tight. Cramming a board in creates stress points along the folds — firm and tidy is the aim, not crushed.

If it won't fit the backpack, it's almost always because air is still trapped. Open the valve to deflate mode, start at the end opposite the valve again, and work the air out fold by fold following the printed guide.

How to store it inflated (if you prefer)

Leaving the board set up saves you pumping each time, and if you've the space it's a fine option — just follow these:

• Drop the pressure. Don't store it at full paddling pressure. Let some air out so it's firm but not taut; this eases the load on the seams, especially as temperatures change.
• Keep it out of direct sun and heat. This is the big one. Sun bleaches the graphics and heat raises the internal pressure, which stresses the seams — never store an inflated board in a conservatory, a hot garage, or against a sunny wall.
• Support it evenly. Lay it flat or use a proper wall rack that spreads the weight. Avoid resting it on its fin or balancing it on a narrow edge.
• Protect it from knocks. An inflated board is more exposed — keep it away from sharp tools, bikes, and curious pets.
• Lift it off cold concrete. A garage floor can be damp and cold; a rack or a mat is kinder to the board.

Where to store it (both methods)

The ideal spot is cool, dry, and out of direct sunlight, with a fairly stable temperature. A cupboard, wardrobe, or shelf indoors is perfect. Avoid the two extremes that catch people out: a hot car or attic (heat and UV degrade the PVC) and a damp shed or garage (moisture invites mould). Never leave the board — rolled or inflated — sitting in direct sunlight for long periods.

Storing for the off-season

If the board is going away for the winter, the same rules apply but matter even more: make absolutely sure it's spotless and bone dry before it's packed, and choose the most temperature-stable spot you have. (We'll link our full winterising guide here once it's live.)

Common mistakes to avoid

• Storing it damp → mould and mildew. Dry it fully, every time.
• Rolling it too tight → stress points on the fabric. Firm, not crushed.
• Leaving it in sun or heat → bleaching and seam stress. Cool and shaded.
• Storing inflated at full pressure in a warm space → the pressure climbs and loads the seams. Drop the pressure.
• Resting anything heavy on it, or on its fin → dents and damage.

Quick reference