Kelowna Shop Lists 9 Winter Storage Mistakes That Wreck Inflatable Docks and Boards
Kelowna, Canada - November 6, 2026 / Canadian Board Company /
As lakes begin to freeze across Canada, Canadian Board Co, a family-owned shop based in Kelowna, has released a list of nine storage mistakes it regularly sees cause damage to inflatable docks, boats and paddleboards during the winter months. The majority of these errors occur while the equipment sits unused, and most can be avoided in a matter of minutes.
The temperature most people never check
A common practice among owners is to store inflatables in an unheated garage or detached shed simply because space is available there. Canadian Board Co's warranty excludes damage resulting from storage below -5°C or above 27°C, as well as damage from improper storage and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. A garage that dips well below freezing in January, or a shed that reaches high temperatures in August, can fall outside those parameters.
"Some of the most preventable damage we see happens while the gear is sitting in storage," said Jaeger Johnson, who runs Canadian Board Co with his wife, Tarryn Johnson. "Inspect it when you put it away, not when you take it out. If something needs fixing, you have the whole winter to sort it out instead of losing the first three weeks of summer."
The other mistakes
Packing equipment away while still damp is identified as the most frequent error. Owners tend to dry the top surface, which faces the sun, without flipping the board or dock over. Moisture trapped underneath leads to odour, staining and mildew by the time spring arrives. The recommended approach is to dry both sides, the seams and all accessories thoroughly, continuing the process indoors in a ventilated space when outdoor conditions do not allow for complete drying.
Rolling the inflatable too tightly and placing heavy objects on top is the next issue cited. The bag an inflatable ships in is designed for transport, not for eight months of storage. Forcing the product into that bag and then setting something heavy on top creates a hard crease that develops into a structural weak point. The shop advises rolling loosely, storing on a shelf or inside a bin where nothing applies pressure to it, and shifting the fold lines slightly from one year to the next.
Concrete floors draw moisture, meaning a dry board placed on a cold slab can become damp by January. A pallet, shelf or hard-sided bin eliminates that direct contact. Rodents present another concern, particularly in rural parts of Canada. A rolled inflatable offers warm, sheltered nesting material, and fabric storage bags provide no meaningful barrier. Sealed, hard-sided storage is the practical solution.
Water left inside a valve housing can freeze, expand and damage the valve seat - a problem owners typically discover in May when the board no longer holds pressure. After deflating, the shop suggests opening the valve, tipping that corner downward to allow drainage and wiping the seat dry. The process takes approximately thirty seconds.
Storing an inflatable at full working pressure in an environment with significant temperature fluctuations places stress on the seams, as air expands when heated. Where a product's instructions permit inflated storage, pressure should be reduced beforehand. Electric pumps and motor batteries each carry their own storage requirements, and those individual manuals should be consulted rather than applying a single rule across all models.
The twenty-minute version
For owners with limited time, the shop's condensed checklist covers the essentials: clean both sides, dry both sides completely, drain the valve, roll loosely, store in a sealed bin kept off the floor at a stable temperature and away from sunlight, and bring batteries indoors. Canadian Board Co also recommends following the manufacturer's instructions in any instance where they differ from general guidance.
Canadian Board Co's full guide to the storage mistakes that damage inflatables is available on its website, alongside step-by-step storage guides for paddleboards, docks, inflatable boats and electric outboards.
Contact Information:
Canadian Board Company
8750 Jim Bailey Cres. 117
Kelowna, BC V4V1E5
Canada
Tarryn Johnson
+1-800-399-5260
https://www.canadianboardco.com
