It depends: Pumped up or not
To safely transport board and paddle to the sea or to the nearest lake by car, different methods are suitable. If you own an inflatable SUP board, this can be stowed in the packing completely comfortably in the trunk or the back bench. But even when pumped up, it is possible to get the board from A to B quite practically.
The easiest way to transport the boards is on the roof of the car. However, it is a requirement that your car has a roof rack. Additionally, railing carriers that are mounted crosswise on the railing rails are helpful. They protect against the SUP board resting directly on the roof of the car, scratching the delicate paintwork. To avoid quirks on the board, use padding for the railing supports. These are usually easy to attach with Velcro. A cheap alternative are pipe insulations from the hardware store.
Keep an eye on the maximum load of the roof rails
When buying a railing carrier, look for its maximum load capacity. If you are transporting only one board, the carrier load is unlikely to be exceeded, as the boards rarely weigh more than 20 kilos. On the other hand, if you carry several SUP boards at the same time, the carrier load can quickly be exceeded. So here it depends on the total number of boards to be transported.
To secure SUP boards safely on the roof of a car, it's a good idea to use tie-down straps. But beware: not every tie-down strap is equally well-suited for transporting SUP boards. Do not use straps that are made of hard material and have a large buckle. These squeeze the inflatable boards too much and can cause damage. Tension straps that have padding on the closure are better suited.
Station wagon better than small car
To keep things safe while driving, it's a good idea to center the SUP board on the roof of your car. The slightly more durable base of the board should be facing downward. For better aerodynamics, the tip of the board should point forward. Also make sure that the board does not protrude more than one meter over the rear of the car. If it does, a red warning flag must be attached. In the front, the SUP board should not extend beyond the bumper – so here a station wagon is more suitable than a small car.
When transporting long distances, it's a good idea to pack SUP boards in a protective cover or special bag. This prevents the boards from being exposed to sunlight and weathering. In addition, especially in summer, you will avoid the annoying task of having to clean the board from stubborn insect dirt.