While most stand up boards come with an EVA deck pad on them, some do not.
The new “Startouch” deck traction from Starboard offers great grip  – but personally  I like the softer feel of a deck pad, especially when you are going to be on the board for a long time.
Here is a step by step of how to install a deck pad.
1) Figure out where you pad is going to go – in this case an On A Mission SUP pad that comes in 4 main parts.
I determined it only needed 3 parts to cover the main area of the board.
2) Line up – and then trace around the pad with a pencil.
3) I sanded down the Startouch a little bit with 600 grit wet sand paper – just to make sure the pad stayed on.
4) Start from one end or the other and peel and stick. Â The center line on the Starboard makes it real easy to line things up.
If your board does not have a line – place some masking tape along the center line of the board beyond where your pad will go.
5) In order to be able to locate the handle (and / or vent plugs) I put some tape on the rails where the handle is more or less located.
6) Use a sharp blade to cut out the handle area. Â I like to angle the cut at the edge to make it smooth on my hands.
7) Go Paddle!
Just in case you are wondering what board this is – it is a Starboard Whopper (10’0″ x 34″) in the AST Startouch construction.
This construction will be coming in Blue this year – the Orange was a prototype for a possible color. Â Most dealers liked the blue better so that is what went into production. Â We at Easy Rider did manage to get 3 of the Orange boards – My Whopper, a Seven Eleven(7’11” x 30″) and a Big Easy (12’0″ x 34″) Â They are the only orange ones in the world – so call me quickly if you want one!
(click on the photos to enlarge)