McConks SUP user guide - beginning your SUP journey, progressing and beyond.

Using this guide.

As well as info about your McConks infatable stand up paddle board and SUPing in general we've tried to make this user guide as interactive as possible.

You'll find highlighted links back to relevant McConks website articles, so do click those for more info.

There are also YouTube video icons that signpost you to edits on the McConks YouTube channel.

Note: in some parts zooming in will be necessary.

And look out for the lightbulb icon where further snippet tips can be found. example of the icons and links are to the right of this text.

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McConks SUP user guide - all you need to get set up safely and paddling quickly.

Congrats! We think you've made the perfect choice by buying a McConks paddle board. Here at McConks SUP we try our hardest to make things as easy as possible for every paddler. This guide is designed to get you on the water and paddling as quickly, safely and efficiently as possible - we've got your back! If you feel there’s something specific that needs to be featured in this guide then please get in touch to let us know. Don'y forget to follow McConks on Instagram and Facebook for even more SUP hacks, tips and tricks.

The following topics are covered:

what’s in the box? how to inflate and achieve correct pressure basic SUP safety how to fit SUP fins how to fit a SUP leash how to put your SUP paddle together how to launch your SUP board how to hold your SUP paddle paddling your SUP whilst kneeling how to attach a kayak seat to your SUP how to stand when SUPing basic SUP paddle stroke turning your SUP board paddling your SUP into the wind what to wear when SUPing SUP terminology where to get a SUP lesson responsible stand up paddle boarding packing your SUP gear away

SUP Lass & SUP Shropshire feeling the stoke.

McConks SUP user guide: how to inflate your

iSUP and correct pressure.

McConks inflatable stand up paddle boards have all the details on how to inflate your iSUP labelled clearly on the valve surround (pictured below). When inflating your McConks iSUP please note the recommended air pressure rating (PSI) is listed on the air valve (pictured below). It’s usually between 15-18 PSI, although we’re so confident in our seams and materials, that all of our boards are rated to 27 PSI – most premium inflatable stand up paddle board companies like McConks rate their production quality to the same high pressure rating. You should inflate your McConks iSUP to at least the minimum stated air pressure. This ensures the board’s design works correctly and will be as rigid as possible when paddling. If it isn’t your board won’t perform as well as intended. Connectthepumptubetothepumpviaitsscrewmechanismonthefrontofthepumphandle.Becarefultoline thethreadupcorrectly.Ifnotyoucouldriskcrackingthescrewsealresultingininefficientinflation. Makesureyourboard’svalvespringloadedpinisinthe‘up’setting.Pushingdownandrotatingclockwisewill seeitpopup.

Connectthepump’sairtubebyinsertingintothevalveheadandtwistingclockwisetoensureasealed connection.

Setthepumptonumber1onthetwowaydial.Thiswillallowtwowayairflow(duringtheupanddownstroke) tofillyourboard.Nearingfullinflation,asitbecomesslightlyhardertopushtheplungerdown,turnthetwo dialsettingto2.Thiswillmakethefinalstagesofinflatingeasier.

Inflateuntilthepump’sgaugereadsthecorrectPSI.Thegaugeiscolourcodedforadditionalhelpwiththis. Aslongasthevalvepinwasintheuprightpositiondisconnectingthepumpshouldbeswift,withonlyasmall ‘pop’experienced.Ifthepinwasdown,assoonasyouremovethepump’stubehighpressuredairwillescape ferociously.Inthisinstanceyou’llneedtoresetthevalvepincorrectlyandbegintheinflationprocessonce again

It’srarebutsometimestheinternalvalvesealmaybemisalignedresultinginairescapingevenhavinginflated

McConks SUP user guide: how to fit your stand up paddle board fins.

Stand up paddle board fins are one of the important aspects of your SUP set up, yet equally one of the most overlooked areas. Fins have the ability to completely change the performance of a SUP (hard board or inflatable). They can make a good board perform rubbish and a bad board feel much better than it should. It’s worth therefore getting your SUP fins sorted – at least fitted correctly in the first instance.

McConks fins are mostly about two types: A US box centrally located fin. The fin’s rake facing towards the board’s rear, the fin slotting into the middle casing secured with one screw and washer. It’s possible to affix your stand up paddle board fin the wrong way round – and easy mistake to make as a new stand up paddler. You’ll soon discover, however, that a stand up paddle fin the wrong way round doesn’t make for efficient SUP performance! We will add, however, that if you make this faux par then don’t worry. There’s no reason why you’d know which way round a stand up paddle board fin should go. If you’ve no prior watersports experience then why would you? So it’s a mistake you’ll make one time only – as long as you’re shown the correct way to fit your SUP fins, as you are being here.

Side fins are Click Box fins that sit out towards the board’s rail (side). Again, the fin’s rake faces backwards. You then slot the fins in the box, push them back (until hearing the click) then tighten the grub screw for additional security. how to fit a SUP board fin

McConks SUP user guide: how to put a SUP paddle together.

Tip: take some time to figure out your correct paddle length.

On the face of it connecting all the paddle ‘bits’ may appear simple but sometimes the wrong component may be perceived to fit another. It all gets very confusing very quickly. And we do appreciate not everyone has a paddle sports background!

First off grab hold of the part with the paddle blade attached and stand this on the ground with the tube (shaft) facing skyward. Next, insert the part that doesn’t have either a blade or handle attached. This should then be secured with the locking mechanism. Lastly, slide in the part with the attached handle grip and lock this off to the appropriate length (see post …). Hey presto! All done!

McConks SUP user guide: how to fit a stand up paddle board leash.

Stand up paddle board leash styles, types and what each is good for have been a talking points within SUP for a while. The wrong type in the wrong scenario can prove lethal.

If you’ve bought your board in 2021 (or after) it will come with a connect leash rather than ankle leash, and a Quick Release Waist belt. If you purchased prior to Autumn 2020, you’ll have received an ankle leash. Instructions on how to fit both are below.

McConks Ankle Leash

fitting and choosing a leash

With your McConks inflatable stand up paddle board package you’ll receive a McConks coiled leash. This will be fine for getting afloat atop flat, placid water with minimal flow/tide, as long as your area’s free of obstacles such as overhanging tree branches and other submerged hazards unseen.

The McConks leash is also fine for use on the sea and for playing in small surf. If you plan on being more adventurous then you’ll need to be thinking about alternative leash solutions.

SUP Connect leash and waist belt

Attach connect leash to board

Attach connect leash to QR belt Attach QR belt around your waist Remove excess belt

McConks SUP user guide: how to launch your McConks inflatable stand up paddle board.

Ideally you want to choose a ‘put in’ without little to no hazards.

You should carry your stand up paddle board under your arm, keeping a secure grip on the centrally located carry handle. Try not to have your SUP across your body, out in front. This way you’re free to get clear of the board should the need arise.

Tip: choose a launch location with a clear pathway to the water.

On entering the water place your iSUP fins down by your side. Push the board into enough depth to give good fin clearance. Keep your SUP paddle in the opposite hand. Ideally you’ll have your paddle in your dominant hand and the board in your other. Keep hold of your SUP and paddle at all times.

When ready, nudge the board forwards again to give some momentum, which aids stability, before hopping on board keeping to your knees, to begin with. You should be centred, with your McConks iSUP not weighted unnecessarily to one side (railing) or too far towards the nose/tail. If this is the case then shuffle to a more efficient position where you feel stable and confident. Once you’ve located the SUP board’s sweet spot begin paddling a few strokes to give forwards glide thereby adding yet more stability and the ability to pop up to your feet.

McConks SUP user guide: how to hold your SUP paddle.

Tip: make sure your paddle's blade is the right way round. It should be angled away from you.

One of the most confusing aspects of stand up paddle boarding for beginners is which way round to hold your SUP paddle. Intuitively you’d be forgiven for thinking the angled paddle blade would face backwards, the blade facing you the paddler as you place it in the water. If you’ve ever held a kayak paddle, this is exactly what you’d expected. But, in fact, the opposite is true. Why?

A SUP paddle blade needs to be ‘reached’ forwards as far as possible, hence why the blade should angle towards your SUP’s nose. The angle that the blade makes with the paddle shaft is called the rake. This angle provides a more efficient stroke with the majority of your paddle power being generated in front of you. As you draw the paddle through the water the rake helps keep the blade vertical thereby making your stroke efficient. If it wasn’t angled then as you pulled through the stroke at the most critical point the blade would start pulling water upwards towards the surface and not helping drive your iSUP forwards.

Blade rake allows the whole stroke to be pulled right through to in line with your hips before recovery (taking it out), and swinging it back towards the SUP board’s nose. Once there you begin again. Note: This also explains why you should also lift the paddle out of the water when the blade is parallel with your hips!

McConks SUP user guide: how to paddle

kneeling.

Paddling your McConks stand up paddle board in kneeling position is a fundamental skill that all beginner SUPers will need to have under their belts. Even as you advance and improve, paddling whilst on your knees will still be needed at times. A sudden strong headwind, for instance, may require knee paddling as water states are whipped up making your SUP unstable. In some situations, it may be the only efficient way of getting back home to your original launch spot, so the skill is important for SUP safety as well.

Having dragged yourself onto your stand up paddle board, you need to position your knees either side of the centreline (an imaginary line running down the board’s middle that symmetrically splits the SUP in half). You shouldn’t be too far forwards, with your iSUP’s nose starting to catch under the water.

Likewise, you shouldn’t be too far back, wheelieing the board with its nose in the air. Subtle shuffles side to side/nose to tail will help you determine where the sweet spot is. Out of interest, this sweet spot won’t be any different when you’re standing and paddling.

Tip: if more comfortable have your top hand further down the shaft when knee paddling.

McConks SUP user guide: how to attach a kayak seat to your stand up paddle board.

A lot of inflatable boards –incuding some of McConks’ line up – have the option of fitting a sit on top style kayak seat (some call it a SUP seat) to the deck mounted D-rings that come included. This gives even greater versatility to your already broad use inflatable stand up paddle board. It can also be a nice way to get those who struggle to stand on a bobbing platform out afloat and having fun. Fitting a kayak seat to your stand up paddl eboard is relatively easy. It’s all about affixed the webbing straps to the aforementioned D-rings and tensioning. The webbing strap tension gives rigidity to the seat and allows a (mostly) comfortable paddling position. We will say that because of a stand up paddle board’s flat deck –unlike a sit on top kay which has a scooped out cockpit area – it’s not quite as efficient as piloting a boat (but it isn’t far off!). As another way to enjoy your McConks inflatable stand up paddle board having the opportunity to sit down and paddle is welcomed by many. It can be particularly good if the water state’s choppy and the breeze is up. Being lower means you’ll make much better headway into wind and not be as wobbly because of your lower centre of gravity.

Tip: tension the webbing straps for the most rigid feeling seat.

McConks SUP user guide: how to stand on your stand up paddle board.

Tip: lifting your head and not looking at the water will see less dunkings.

Having mastered paddling your McConks inflatable SUP on your knees the next step is getting to your feet and learning how to stand on your stand up paddle board. With forward momentum to aid stability, the process should be swift and efficient. You could opt for the athletic ‘surfer’s pop up’ whereby you squat through from your knees, and using your hands, push up and bring your legs in line with shoulders, aiming to plant your feet in the correct paddling stance.

For those less agile a slower ‘pop up’ is absolutely fine with the aim still being to get to your feet in the correct position (parallel offset) to be ready for SUPing proper. Ultimately keeping your iSUP as steady as possible (rail to rail) will pay dividends. Keeping your weight over the board’s centre line with your head up will definitely help. Once standing begin paddling again straight away to keep speed up and therefore increase stability.

A key tip when on your feet is to NOT break at your core (bend). If you do then chances are you’ll take a dunking. You may have heard about stand up paddle boarding being great for core strength and this is why. A tight core when SUPing is key. Also, knees should only be slightly bent; your upper body (head, shoulders, chest, torso) reacting to minute changes in your boards’ trim (rock ‘n’ roll). Soft, flexible ankles and hips will also help. As you progress your body’s muscle memory will kick in, with all of the described becoming a subconscious act.

Tip: flatter water will help massively when learning to stand and paddle.

McConks SUP user guide: basic stand up paddle board stroke.

The ultimate aim of putting a paddle in the water whilst standing atop a stand up board is to make headway in a forwards direction as efficiently as possible. The basic stand up paddle board stroke is therefore super important, obviously. A SUP paddle is THE defining piece of equipment you use, being arguably more important than your stand up paddle board. Without a paddle you’d be just ‘standing on a board’. This is why due thought and consideration should be given to the paddle when choosing your SUP gear initially. A poorly engineered, low quality type will serve you no purpose.

Tip: if you feel you’re overexerting yourself during each stroke (listen to your body) then back off the power and/or cadence slightly.

With the paddle blade’s rake (see earlier article on how to hold your paddle) facing away from you reach forwards so you’re almost on tiptoes, bending at the hips, before plunging the paddle’s blade deep into the water – completely submerging it – is the aim. You should be trying to almost fall onto your paddle (without actually falling). With timing, the pulling part of the stroke will serve to keep you upright. Using your body’s bigger muscles (lower back, glutes and thighs) pull your body and board towards the paddle trying not to rely on your arms. If you do over-use your arms then you may damage your joints and muscles. Try to keep your head up looking at the horizon, but not hyper-extending. Looking down towards the water, board or paddle itself may cause you to ‘break’ at your core and not be as efficient as you otherwise could be.

Having pulled the paddle blade to level with your hips it’s time to recover (lift from the water), twist slightly (feather) before swinging it back to begin again. Of course, at some point you’ll need to swap sides and mirror the move along the opposite rail.

McConks SUP user guide: turning your stand up paddle board.

During the initial stages of your SUP journey a basic sweep stroke will suffice. Dipping your paddle blade wide, aim to draw a semi-circle from the nose of your board all the way to the tail. This will see you spin fairly efficiently. And if that doesn’t spin you quickly enough, a reverse paddle stroke on the other side of the board will increase the spin!

Therefore to spice up your SUP board turns, and make them quicker/more dynamic, practising the essential pivot turn should be a goal. So check out this article to find out more about the SUP pivot turn.

Tip: bending your knees and bracing with the paddle will allow the board's tail to be sunk further and the rider spin quicker.

McConks SUP user guide: stand up paddle boarding in wind.

With our local being the UK it’s safe to say Mother Nature’s weather moods can be changeable. For sure, we get those glassy, windless days where the sun shines. But more often than not it’s breezy to the point of being windy In this post we look at stand up paddle boarding in wind, as more often than not you’ll be confronted by breeze.

If you’re a coastal stand up paddler –particularly in summer – then you may come up against the middle of the day sea breeze phenomenon. You can learn more about sea breezes by hitting this link.

Tip: the more weather knowledge you gain the better your paddling will be.

Whenever you go afloat it’s wise to arm yourself with as much info as possible. That knowledge reflecting your chosen put in, local effects (such as tides) and the day’s weather forecast. If it’s looking blowy then the path of least resistance is always a better course of action.

Click the image above to learn more about common SUP wind scenarios and how to deal with them.

Further reading articles can also be found at the bottom of this post.

board.

McConks SUP user guide: what to wear when you stand up paddle

Seasonality and the time of year will ultimately depend on what you wear when you stand up paddle board. That as well as your chosen SUP discipline and location. Summer, for instance, when mercury levels are at their highest will require less attire, whereas winter in contrast demands you ‘thread up’ with essential SUP garments.

The UK SUP weather mix. Whatever you plump for the thing that should remain in your thoughts is: “we’re not living in the Tropics”. Even on the balmiest of days, with Mr Sunshine’s hat firmly on, the elements can (and will) conspire against you. The water around the UK remains cold by most standards and air temperatures fickle. Chuck in the mix evaporative cooling and windchill and it can be a recipe for disaster if you aren’t prepared.

Wetsuits for SUP. Wetsuits come in different thicknesses. Usually: 3-2mm summer suits, 4mm shoulder season suits and 5-6m winter battle wear. If it’s mid-Feb we’d highly recommend NOT plumping for a 2mm summer wetsuit! Whilst it will offer some protection before long you’ll be bluer than the Blue Lagoon and probably have the onset of hypothermia. Likewise, a full head to toe 6mm wetsuit isn’t a wise choice during the height of summer. You’ll be toasty, but probably too hot. In the worst cases heat stroke and dehydration will set in, both of which aren’t great.

Tip: layering your SUP clothing is best practise.

SUP layers and removable graments. If you’re tackling placid, flat water then be aware that windchill can cool you down, even in July/August. If there’s any breeze in the mix, and you’ve taken a dunking, then the evaporative cooling effects of moisture wicking away from your skin will cause more than just goose bumps. In most instances layering up, with option to add or remove garments is a good course of action. Fleeces are great ‘tools’ as even when wet these will still keep paddlers warm. And they’re fairly easy to dry out. Don’t forget your feet! Noting beats the feel of a board when paddling barefoot in the summer but be aware that it’s not just cold water that is hard on your feet.

McConks SUP user guide: stand up paddle boarding terminology.

Tip: learn the lingo so you can converse about the sport.

When you start something new there’s always jargon and terminology to get your head around. Stand up paddle boarding is just the same. With a seemingly confusing array of descriptive terms and whole new language to learn. Shaka, shaft, offshore, swell, stoke, and cadence. These plus a whole load more words used in conjunction with stand up paddle boarding are needed to be learned.

You can find more SUP jargon and terminology in this article.

McConks SUP user guide: SUP safety.

P.L.O.T your paddle. See more SUP safety tips, ideas and info here.

McConks user guide: packing down your iSUP and folding it away.

No matter how good a stand up paddle boarding session you’ve enjoyed at some point it has to come to an end. And this means packing your iSUP kit down and folding it away. At this stage one of the biggest reasons paddlers choose inflatable boards comes to the fore: the easy pack down nature of an air filled product that simply folds away into a bag and can be chucked into your car boot. All too often, however, it’s a sticking point – for various reasons. One such point is the folding of your inflatable stand up paddle board. It’s easy to roll an iSUP badly and therefore have it fit in its bag awkwardly (or even not at all). But it’s certainly doable.

2 SUP pack down vid

McConks SUP user guide: responsible and safe stand up paddle boarding. Responsibility and safety are not alternative words for boring and, boring. It’s about the best way to enjoy the environment we live in, making sure you can go back again and maybe leaving things better than you found them.

Tip: leave no trace

Now you're ready for the next part of your SUP journey. Hit this link to find out more about contuned respinsible and safe paddling.

McConks awesomeness SUP pics: inspiration..

McConks SUP user guide: further reading.

Tip: McConks has a long history of whitewater SUP with many of our products optimised for river paddling.

Once you get into paddle boarding there's no end to what you can do with a SUP and paddle. Take your kit to the river, ride waves, go on multi-day adventures, add a sail (ala windSUP), race your mates and so on... Over on the McConks website you'll find the McConks Knowledge Hub where there's eve more info, tips, hacks and tricks to aid your #SUPlife. Check all the guides, posts and articles out at McConks.com. And don't forget to follow our social media feeds too for even more!

McConks FAQs.

We appreciate this user guide won't answer every question. You may still need to refer to the McConks FAQ page which you can find here. Should you still need help then contact us directly here.

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