See full version: Inflatable Paddleboards Are Fun, With a Catch
No biggie, I thought, I’ll pick up an air mattress pump at the store. So I did, and I attached it, and I just. sat there. For a while. And googled “paddleboard electric pump” to see what you’re actually supposed to use. here
Doing this with a hand pump is a hell of a workout. It took something like ten straight minutes, and every muscle in my upper body was sore the next day. (And I’m a person who lifts weights on the regular, so good luck to the rest of you.) Once, the deflation valve was set incorrectly, leading to a few seconds of pssssssshhhhht when I detached the pump. I was back down to around 0.5 and had to start over. more
When I pump up the kayak, it’s good to go as soon as it feels firm to the touch. A few minutes’ work with the hand pump is all it takes to get there, and I’ve even let my 5-year-old blow it up herself. more
The good pump takes 6 minutes to inflate my board to 10 PSI, and 2.5 minutes to deflate it. (Yes, as a bonus, the pump can suck all the air out of the board when you’re done .) It’s convenient, and it means I can use the board more often and have more fun doing it. I’m just mad that my $200 paddleboard turned out to be a $350 investment. here
The reason inflatable paddleboards are so much more solid than inflatable kayaks is that they’re inflated to a much higher pressure.
Authorities said at least 30 people died in North Rhine-Westphalia state and 28 in neighboring Rhineland-Palatinate to the south. Belgian media reported eight deaths in that country.
In the Netherlands, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima visited the hard-hit Dutch town of Valkenburg on Thursday evening to support residents and emergency services. Flooding turned the main street into a torrent of brown water, inundating homes and businesses.
Laschet, a conservative who is running to succeed Merkel as chancellor in this fall's election, said the unusually heavy storms and an earlier heat wave could be linked to climate change. Political opponents have criticized Laschet, the son of a miner, for supporting the region's coal industry and hampering the expansion of wind power during his tenure. [links]
Highly detailed laser measurements of the beach environment shows how water and topography combine to trigger rips. more
The USLA suggests that you:
Scientists have been studying rip currents for more than 100 years. In the past decade, advances in measurement techniques have provided many new insights into how these complicated currents work. Researchers now toss GPS-equipped drifters into the surf to precisely track rip current movements and speed. Acoustic Doppler current profiling (similar to sonar) has revealed the inner workings of rip currents. This acoustic Doppler current profiler sends out high-frequency pulses of sound that hit and bounce off particles in the water. The instrument measures the frequency of this returning signal — If the particle (and surrounding water) is moving away from the instrument, the signal will have a lower frequency and if it's moving toward the instrument, the return signal will have a higher frequency, according to NOAA. more
Every year, more than 100 beachgoers on average drown due to these strong river-like channels of water that pull swimmers away from the shore, according to the U.S. Lifesaving Association (USLA).
In contrast, the traction cladding on the top of the inflatable swimming platform’s surface can make a major difference in the comfort of the dock. Higher-traction cladding makes the platform feel more stable because it will be harder to slip off. here
Hardshell designs are the only platform in town when it comes to setting up furniture. Softshell designs are less durable, and they can’t support the weight of the furniture.
There are a few simple tricks to using your inflatable swimming platform correctly.
Heat is also an important element of comfort. Many inflatable swimming platforms are coated with UV-resistant material on the top surface. Typically, the surface of the swimming platform gets warm while it sits in the sun.
You will also find that the platform is stable enough for an individual to do calisthenics to exercise. There isn’t enough room for two people to use at once, but there is plenty of stability to spare with this platform.