This picture uses a board with the valve at the tail as an example. Fold according to where the valve and fin box are on your board and what your manual says.
You've had a great session, but if the board won't go into the bag easily, it takes the wind out of you at the end. Rather than focusing only on folding it small, check the remaining air and the parts to protect, one at a time.
01. Before folding, find a clean, dry spot
Clear sand and debris off the board and let it dry thoroughly before folding. Spreading it out on a clean spot reduces the chance of sand getting into the valve or small stones getting caught between the folds.
The original shows rolling or folding from the nose so the air escapes through the valve at the tail. If your board's valve position and fin box design are different, follow the folding order in the product manual first.
02. Let out the remaining air step by step
As you press and fold the board, check that the air has a way out. Rather than forcing a firm section that still has air in it, it's easier to back up a little and see whether the air comes out.
The IN in the picture is the port where the pump draws air in. It helps when you use a pump with a deflate function and a matching adapter. There's no need to force a connection on a pump without that function.
03. Finish while protecting the fin and valve
After deflating, turn the valve pin back to the closed position for that valve type and close the dust cap. The picture shows a pin UP valve, so check it together with the instructions for your actual valve.
It's also important not to force the fin to bend inside the folded board. Remove a detachable fin as the product instructions say, and arrange a fixed fin and the fin box so they aren't bent too far.
04. Straps just tight enough to keep the shape
The strap in the original picture means securing the folded board so it doesn't unroll, to make good use of the space in the bag. Don't take it to mean pulling so tight that hard parts get pressed or the board gets badly squashed.
If you had to carry it off wet in a hurry, unroll it again at home and let it dry. Remember folding at the water and checking it's dry at home as one set, and your next outing gets easier.
Sources and scope
The artwork is Starboard's original 5 Things You Should Do When Packing Your Inflatable Board; the explanation is Starboard Korea's commentary. Folding from the nose assumes a tail valve, the IN connection assumes a pump with a deflate function, and pin UP refers to that valve type. Each product's folding direction and part-removal instructions take priority; the notes on drying and avoiding excessive pressure are editorial commentary.
The illustration is Starboard's original artwork; the explanation is Starboard Korea's editorial guide, translated into English here. Sources checked: 2026-09-08.
