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Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

How easy is it to learn to row the Oar Board®?

Most people get the row stroke down in minutes. An SUP is quite stable which makes it very easy to learn to row. Watch our online “How to Row the Oar Board” video and you will see that you can become proficient at sculling very quickly.

Watch the video on YouTube

How tall or short must a person be to row the Oar Board®?

The Oar Board® is designed to fit a wide range of body sizes, thanks to its fully adjustable foot stop. It comfortably accommodates rowers from the very short to the very tall, our tallest rower to date was 6’9″!

For shorter rowers, especially adults and kids under 5’6″, we recommend the Junior Row 10.10 Combo Package. This setup features lower oarlock positioning, allowing for a more level, efficient, and comfortable rowing stroke for those with shorter torsos.

Watch the video on YouTube

Are the oars included in the price of the Oar Board®?

Yes, our custom carbon fiber two-part sculling oars are included with all Oar Board® Combo Packages as well as the Oar Board® Rowing Kit.

These high-performance carbon fiber two-part sculling oars are also available for purchase separately.

Do I need to wear a Personal Flotation Device?

Wearing a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) is a personal responsibility. The laws regarding wearing PFDs vary from country to country. For rowers and standup paddlers, the most suitable type of PFD is the inflatable belt type that is ultra light and super comfortable. Most importantly the belt type of PFD does not interfere with the oar stroke or paddle stroke. So don’t be surprised if well-meaning people ask, “Where’s your lifejacket?”, as these belt type PFDs are sleek, small and hard to see. The old-fashioned vest type can still be used, however many people find this type too bulky and uncomfortably hot to wear in warm weather.

Watch the video on YouTube

Compatibility & Setup

Can I put the Oar Board® on any SUP?

The Oar Board® can be attached to any hard or inflatable paddle board 10 feet (3 meters) or longer.

The seat is positioned on the balance point of the board. This is where the carry strap or indent handle is located, or where you would stand.

Simply strap the Oar Board® into place using two ultra-thin straps that pass around the board and fasten with a pair of quick lock buckles. And, you’re ready to row!

On our stand up paddle boards, you pass the strap through special deck rings that are integrated on the board instead of going around the board. To remove the Oar Board®, simply remove the straps and lift the Oar Board® off.

Watch the video on YouTube

Can I put the Oar Board® on an Inflatable?

Inflatable SUPs have many advantages over hard body ones. The main one is how well they can handle bumping up on beaches or hitting hard objects like rocks or being dinged by paddle blades without substantial damage. Another advantage is how small they are when deflated and rolled up inside their backpack. The weight of an inflatable is about the same as an average hard board. The downside is they are not quite as crisp as a hard board. Overall though, for recreational rowing or adventure travel an inflatable is the top choice.

Our Oar Board® line of inflatable SUPs featuring the Fitness Row 12, the Adventure Row 13’4″ , Racer Row 14′, Junior Row 10’10” and the Adventure Row 16 are especially designed for heavy-duty use and are equipped with special deck rings that make installing the Oar Board® super easy and the straps do not have to go around the board itself.

Is any board modification required?

No, however, the Oar Board® works best on boards with a flush deck. Most rowers prefer Paddle Boards with a width of 30” or more for added stability. We are happy to advise on the suitability of any paddleboard if you email or call with the brand name and length or even better email us a link.

What is drop stitch construction on an Inflatable SUP?

A huge breakthrough in the construction of inflatable SUPs came a few years ago with the innovation of ‘drop stitch’ construction.

On the inside of almost all inflatable SUPs are hundreds of tiny strings spaced a centimeter or so apart, that run from the deck to the bottom of the board.

When the board is partially inflated to about 4 lbs pressure these stretch proof strings get tight, making the board extra rigid. At 15 lbs pressure they are fully inflated and are extremely rigid, ideal for rowing or paddling.

How much time does it take to install and remove?

The unit installs in less than 5 minutes and can be removed in 2 minutes.

See our set up video.

Watch the video on YouTube

How is the Oar Board® attached to a Paddle Board?

Watch this video for instructions on how to set up your Oar Board® Rower Unit on a standard paddle board without deck rings.

Watch the video on YouTube

Attaching your Oar Board® Rower to your paddle board - how to use the buckle strap

If you have one of our Oar Board® paddle boards you’ll still use the Kwik Lok® straps, but instead of wrapping them around the board, you simply secure them through the built-in deck rings, making installation and removal even faster and more convenient.

Watch the video on YouTube

How do I assemble my two part oars?

Assembling your carbon fiber two-part oars is quick and easy!

Watch the video on YouTube

How to I attach the oar collars to the Oar Board® to the two-part oars?

Watch this short video that demonstrates how attach the Oar Board® oar collars to the two-part oars.

Watch the video on YouTube

How hard is it to pump up your inflatable paddle board?

There are two ways to inflate your paddle board, manually using a hand pump or electronically with an electric pump.

See this video for guidance on how to inflate your paddle board with a hand pump.

Watch the video on YouTube

See this video for guidance on how to inflate your paddle board with an electric pump.

Watch the video on YouTube

How do I install a standard fin on my paddle board?

Here’s a quick 47-second video to demonstrate how easy it is to install the fin on your paddle board.

Watch the video on YouTube

How do I install a flex fin on my paddle board?

Here’s a short video to demonstrate how easy it is to install the flex fin on your paddle board.

Watch the video on YouTube

Performance

How does a sliding rigger work compared to a sliding seat?

The Oar Board® features a sliding rigger system. The seat is fixed and does not move. The rigger and foot stop are mounted on a special carriage, which slides. The rower grips the oar handles in exactly the same way as a regular slide seat boat and the stroke is identical. This system avoids the full weight of the rower sliding back and forth with every stroke so there is no pitching or hobby horsing.

The sliding rigger concept was originally developed over 50 years ago. It was significantly faster than a sliding seat when used in a racing shell because with little to no pitching the glide between strokes was smoother and speed is maintained. As it was quite a lot faster it was subsequently outlawed from competitive racing in the 1988 Olympic rowing event. It quickly fell out of favour. Lucky for us it works perfectly as a way to convert a stand up paddle board into a single or even a double person sculling boat.

Watch the video on YouTube

Why is it a sliding rigger set up instead of a sliding seat?

With a sliding seat the rower’s weight slips back and forth with each stroke. With a sliding rigger the rower’s weight remains virtually stationary. This means that on a relatively short Stand Up Paddle Board pitching or “hobby horsing” is eliminated with a fixed seat/sliding rigger. The stroke itself is the exact same coordinated motion as the sliding seat stroke. It takes only a few strokes to get used to a sliding rigger and it is very smooth.

If I capsize how easy is it to re-right and get back aboard the Oar Board® and SUP?

This is very easy and below is a video that demonstrates how this can be done.

Watch the video on YouTube

Shipping & Delivery

Do you ship internationally?

Yes, we are pleased to offer international shipping directly from our headquarters in Victoria, Canada. At this time, we do not have local dealers for direct orders.

International shipping typically ranges from $500 to $700 USD, depending on your order size and destination.

Please note that shipping charges do not include any import duties, taxes, or customs fees that may be applied by your country upon arrival. These additional costs are the responsibility of the customer.

Once shipped, your order will usually arrive within 7–9 business days, though delivery times may vary depending on location and customs processing.

To receive an exact shipping quote, please email us your order details, your complete shipping address and a contact phone number.

Care & Maintenance

How is the Oar Board® constructed and can it be used in salt water?

The Oar Board® is constructed using non-corrosive material specifically and built for salt water. It features an ultra-tough black polymer plastic frame, carriage, foot stretcher and seat with powder coated marine-grade aluminium outriggers and struts with stainless steel and nylon insulation fittings. These marine-grade materials mean the unit requires nothing more than hosing off to keep any grit off your tracks wash away any salt and keep it a clean looking machine.

What about storage and handling issues?

The sliding rigger carriage is instantly removable and can be further disassembled by removing and compressing the outriggers arms. It completely disassembles back to its compact shipping size in just a few minutes. The Travel Bag can hold the compacted Oar Board® plus the two-part sculling oars and a paddle as well. Perfect for flying off to your favorite rowing and paddling destination.

Our Oar Board® line of inflatable SUPs, like all inflatable SUPs when deflated they roll up and fit into a backpack. This makes them also ideal for storage or transport.

Inflatable SUPs are about the same weight as a hard body paddle board but can handle bumping up on beaches or hitting hard objects like rocks or being dinged by paddle blades without sustaining damage.

See the Setup Video below. Also check out our Oar Board and for more storage and handling ideas.

How to pack your rowing gear in the Oar Board® Travel Bag

Packing your rowing gear into the Oar Board® Travel Bag is quick and straightforward. That said, we recommend watching the Oar Board® Travel Bag packing video for the best tips on how to fit everything securely and protect your gear during travel. A few simple techniques can make a big difference in keeping your equipment safe and organized on the go.

Watch the video on YouTube

How to easily get you Oar Board® on your roof rack

All Oar Board® paddle boards are inflatable, lightweight, and easy to handle—making roof rack loading simple.

Watch the how-to video to see our quick and easy method for getting your Oar Board® SUP Rower securely onto your vehicle roof with minimal effort.

Watch the video on YouTube

How to strap your paddle board to your vehicle using KanuLock straps

KanuLock straps are the smart, secure way to transport your paddle board. Unlike regular tie-down straps, which can be cut in seconds, KanuLock straps are reinforced with stainless steel cables, making them highly resistant to theft. They also feature a locking cam buckle that can only be released with a key, adding an extra layer of security.

Watch the step-by-step video to see the safest and most effective way to strap your paddle board to your vehicle using KanuLock straps.

Watch the video on YouTube

Still have questions?

We're here to help with product, setup, and shipping questions.

Contact us

Owners Guide

The Oar Board® Owners Guide contains everything you need to but if you have any questions along the way, our team is here to help, just give us a call or send us an email.

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