How To Transport Your Paddle Board

By: Ingrid Taylar

Driving around, you may see paddle boards being transported many different ways, but there is truly only one right way to do it. Due to the length of the board and its flat shape, a paddle board can act like a wing on your car, which can potentially be dangerous while driving. When transported correctly, you will have nothing to worry about as you bring your paddle board from one place to another.

It is common to simply carry your board on top of your car, but some people prefer to first put their board in a paddle board bag before strapping it to the roof of the car. This will prevent damage to both your board and your car. Make sure your board is laying flat with its fins up. The worst thing you could do is having it standing on its side. This would create a sail on top of your car, making it nearly impossible to drive straight. Even when laying flat, the front of the board will act as a vacuum with your windshield causing a heavy load for your roof rack. If you see the tip of your board moving up and down don’t worry. This just means the board is picking up a lot of air, but it won’t cause damage or be unsafe for driving. You can reduce your speed to prevent this from happening.

Image: Rent Luggage

While a roof rack specifically designed for paddle boards, like this one from Thule, is enough to safely transport your paddle board, it is even better to use nose and tail lines to keep the front and back end of the paddle board in place. This will also help prevent the lifting motion in the front. This product from Yakima is the easiest and most convenient way to quickly tie down the nose and tail.

The benefit of using a roof rack like the one from Thule is that it comes with enough padding to protect the board from any scratches or dents. It also has a lock and key so that you can leave the board on your car without worrying about it getting stolen. Just be careful not to leave the paddle board on your car all the time in order to lengthen its lifespan. The hot weather can damage boards, especially those made of fiberglass.