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Owners Guide

Thank you for purchasing an Oar Board®, welcome to the Oar Board® community. We’re thrilled to have you on board.

This guide includes everything you need to get set up and start rowing. If you have any questions along the way, our team is here to help—just give us a call or send us an email.

Guide Topics

Setting up your Board

Everything you need to assemble your Oar Board®, make adjustments, and prepare for your first time on the water.

Safety

Important information on staying safe on the water, recommended equipment, and best practices for rowing in a variety of conditions.

Care & Maintenance

Guidance on cleaning, storage, inspections, and routine maintenance to keep your Oar Board® performing its best.

Do’s and Don’ts

Helpful tips, common mistakes to avoid, and recommendations for getting the most from your Oar Board®.

Setting up your Oar Board®

Setting up your Oar Board® Rower Unit with an Oar Board® Paddle Board

When setting up your Oar Board® rower unit and Oar Board® paddle board for the first time, we recommend watching our step-by-step setup video or keeping it handy to refer to as you go.

Like anything new, the first setup may take a little longer while you get familiar with each step. Once you’ve done it a couple of times, the process becomes quick and easy, and you’ll be ready to get on the water in no time.

Watch the video on YouTube

Setting up your Oar Board® Rower Unit on a standard paddle board without deck rings

If you purchased the Oar Board® Rowing Kit to attach to your own paddle board we recommend watching our step-by-step setup video or keeping it handy to refer to as you go.

Like anything new, the first setup may take a little longer while you get familiar with each step. Once you’ve done it a couple of times, the process becomes quick and easy, and you’ll be ready to get on the water in no time.

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 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 assemble my two part oars?

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

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

Quick Videos

Electric pump connected to a green and yellow paddle board

How do you inflate your paddle board with an electric pump?

A close-up outdoor shot shows a person's hands adjusting a black oar lock attached to a black frame, with a white arrow and the text 'Always Like this' overlaid on the image.

How should you position your oar locks?

A close-up of a person's hand adjusting a black strap on a yellow and green paddle board in bright sunlight.

How do I use the KwikLoc attachment strap?

A close-up of a person's hands installing an orange translucent paddle board fin on a bright green inflatable paddle board in outdoor sunlight.

How do I attach the flex fin to the paddle board?

A bright lime green Jeep Wrangler parked outdoors by the water, with a roof-mounted paddle board rack carrying blue and green paddle boards. The vehicle has black off-road tires, a black front bumper, and visible 'OARBOARD.COM'

Transporting and Storing the Oar Board®

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

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 row an Oar Board®

A woman rowing on a stand-up paddleboard on a calm lake, with trees and houses visible in the background. The paddle extends horizontally on both sides, and an 'OAR BOARD'

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

Most people get the hang of the rowing stroke within just a few minutes. The stability of a paddle board provides a secure, forgiving platform, making the Oar Board® easy to learn on, even if you’ve never rowed before. 

Watch video for a simple step-by-step introduction to the rowing stroke. With a little practice, you’ll be rowing confidently and comfortably in no time.

Capsizing and re-righting

A man reclining on a pink and beige paddleboard with an attached vertical paddle and harness, floating on blue water.

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

Capsizing an Oar Board® is uncommon due to the stability of the SUP, but it is still possible. In the event of a capsize, the Quick Release Knee Strap allows you to quickly free your feet from the rowing position.

The inflatable SUP is buoyant and stable, making it relatively easy to re-right and climb back onto from the water. Watch the video above for a demonstration of how to safely re-right and remount your Oar Board® after a capsize.

A blue and black dual-person paddle board rests on a sandy beach with the ocean, waves, and distant cliffs in the background.

SUP Care & Maintenance

Inflation & Air Pressure

Inflate your Oar Board® SUP through the inflation valve, making sure the valve remains clean and free from sand, dirt, and other debris. Once your board is inflated, always replace the valve cover to help keep the valve protected.

The maximum recommended inflation pressure is 15 PSI, which is also printed on the deck of your SUP. Do not exceed this pressure.

If you’re storing your SUP inflated between uses, reduce the pressure to approximately 11–12 PSI. In warm conditions, particularly when temperatures exceed 25°C (77°F), reduce the pressure further to approximately 10 PSI when the board is not in use. Heat can cause the air inside your SUP to expand and increase its internal pressure.

CAUTION: Never overinflate your SUP. Excessive internal pressure can cause permanent damage or internal rupture. Always check the pressure before use, particularly after your board has been exposed to warm temperatures or direct sunlight.

Paddle Board Material Maintenance

Follow the preventative care instructions below to help keep your Oar Board® SUP in great condition and extend its lifespan.

Cleaning & Scuff Marks

Black scuff marks can occasionally appear where the board has rubbed against docks, boats, storage surfaces, or other equipment. Most marks can be removed using a mild cleaner such as dish soap or Simple Green® and a soft cloth or sponge. For more stubborn marks, a Magic Eraser® can also be effective. Always start gently and avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaning tools that could damage the SUP material.

Saltwater Use

If you use your Oar Board® SUP in salt water, rinse the board, fin, and fittings thoroughly with fresh water after each use. This helps remove salt, sand, and other debris that can build up over time. Allow everything to dry completely before storing or packing your SUP away.

Preventing Sun Damage

To help protect your Oar Board® SUP and extend its lifespan, avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight when it’s not in use.

When your SUP is deflated, store and transport it in its protective bag. Always make sure the board is completely dry before packing it away to help prevent moisture and mildew.

If you’re leaving your SUP inflated for an extended period, keep it covered and, whenever possible, store it in a cool, shaded area. A large tarp secured with bungee cords can provide additional protection when covered storage isn’t available.

Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and excessive heat can damage both the exterior material and internal structure of your SUP, so keeping it shaded and protected when not in use will help maintain its condition for years to come.

Cold Weather & Low Temperatures

If you live in a cold climate or plan to store your Oar Board® SUP in freezing temperatures, make sure the board is completely clean and dry before rolling it up and storing it.

Any water or moisture trapped on or around the SUP and its fittings can freeze and expand, potentially causing damage. For best results, allow your SUP to dry thoroughly before packing it away, and store it in a dry, protected location whenever possible.

Repairing Your SUP

Your Oar Board® inflatable SUP is made from strong, durable materials designed to withstand normal use on the water. However, contact with sharp objects such as rocks, glass, or other hard edges can occasionally puncture the outer material.

Each inflatable SUP includes a repair kit containing patches and adhesive for repairing small punctures. For larger or more complex damage, we recommend contacting a professional inflatable boat or SUP repair facility.

Your repair kit also includes a valve tool, which can be used if the inflation valve ever requires adjustment or maintenance.

Fortunately, repairs are rarely needed. If you do need to make a repair or adjust the valve, instructional videos are available online to guide you through the process. If you’re unsure about the extent of the damage or how to proceed, we recommend contacting our team before attempting a repair.

A woman wearing sunglasses and a black t-shirt stands on a lake holding a two-part oar upright, with a forest in the background.

Sculling Oars

The following parts are included with 2 part Sculling oars

  • Carbon Fiber Shaft
  • Fiberglass Blades – Black Gelcoat finish
  • Polyethylene Oar Collar – Blue
  • Adjustable Plastic Button with Stainless Steel Clamp/fastener
  • Grip – Rubber
  • Push Button Spring Clip – stainless steel
  • Integral fiberglass reinforcement sleeve – a 14´ or 36cm long extension tube
A woman rowing on a green and yellow stand-up paddleboard on calm blue water under a clear blue sky.

Oar Maintenance Recommendations

To keep your oars in good condition, separate the two sections and hose off with fresh water after use. Wipe with a cloth to remove salt, sand or dirt. If these two part sculling oars are kept conjoined, any salt water, grit or sand that is left in the joint or around the push button can cause sticking and eventually lead to permanent fusing of the two sections completely. They would then no longer come apart. Spray the metal parts with a silicon-based spray occasionally to keep them from oxidizing. Store oars out of direct sunlight to reduce UV exposure. Wax the carbon fibre shaft and gelcoat blade using any auto wax to keep them shiny and protect against UV damage. Before applying the wax, wash the surfaces and dry thoroughly.

A woman in a black wetsuit stands in shallow water holding a oars next to a paddleboard on rocks by the shoreline, with a wooden dock and blue water in the background.

Using Your Oars

One button per oar is set to suit the required overlap by locating them on the blue plastic collar and using a slot screwdriver tightening them securely in place. Your oars come with a red stripe and a green stripe at the base of the shaft near the blade and a red stripe above the button on the second half of the shaft to match the red striped oar blade section. Each oar fits its own individual shaft, so be sure to set them up with red-to-red and green-to-green matches. To separate the shaft push down on both push button spring clips on both sides of the shaft simultaneously while pulling the two sections apart.

Contact Us

We’re here to help.

Have questions? Contact us or chat live to learn more and confirm if your paddle board is compatible with the Oar Board®.

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Speak with sales directly.

Getting the Most from Your Oar Board®

Simple recommendations and common mistakes to help protect your equipment, improve performance, and get the most from every outing.

Do’s

  • Do make sure your foot stretcher pad pins are pushed down all the way into the correct hole before rowing to ensure they don’t slip out.
  • Keep Oar Board® tracks clean and free from sand, mud, or crusted salt to prevent abrasion of the track.
  • Make sure your Oar Board® is equidistant from the sides on the SUP on all four corners before rowing (it might slip slightly off center while carrying to the water). Handy tip: once you’re satisfied you have the ideal spot determined for your board, making some marks or adding some stickers to the board at the four corners of the unit helps.
  • Gaskets: Once your weight is on the unit the added pressure on the four neoprene gaskets located on the bottom of each corner keep the unit in its centered position. Remember to replace any gaskets that come off before using your Oar Board® unit.
  • Hose salt water off all surfaces after each use to help keep your Oar Board® unit pristine and prevent salt build up.

Don’ts

  • Do not over tighten buckle – too much tension will produce an indent or print in some SUP surfaces. Release the buckle’s tension or remove the Oar Board® unit from the SUP when not in use to prevent SUP surface printing.
  • Do not use your Oar Board® rigger arms to pull the SUP up out of the water. Instead remove the outrigger carriage from the board first, then use the Oar Board® seat base to grab onto and lift or carry the board.

Questions about warranty?

Visit our warranty, shipping and returns for everything you need.

Learn more

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