Plein Air Québec·Published on August 14, 2026·📖 1 min read
Inflate an inflatable board step by step, the right pressure (psi) and why it matters.
A properly inflated board becomes stiff, fast and stable; too soft, it “sticks” to the water and flexes under your feet. Here’s how — a companion to our paddleboarding guide.
Steps
- Unroll the board flat, in the shade.
- Screw the pump hose onto the valve (make sure it’s in the “closed”/inflate position).
- Pump steadily to the recommended pressure printed near the valve, usually 12 to 15 psi.
- Check the pump gauge, close the valve cap.
- Attach the fin and leash.
The right pressure
- Too little (< 10 psi): soft, slow, unstable board.
- Ideal (12–15 psi): stiff like a hard board.
- Never exceed the manufacturer’s maximum.
In strong heat, air expands: if you leave the board inflated in the sun, deflate a little to avoid overpressure.
Manual or electric pump?
The included manual pump works great (5–10 min). An electric pump (12 V) saves the effort before launch — handy if you paddle often.
To deflate and store without damaging the board, see Clean and maintain. Pumps and accessories below.
