The 0–7 / 7–18PSI in the picture is that pump's mode guide. Your final air pressure should follow the recommended value printed on your board.
A pump that moved easily at first suddenly gets stiff. Rather than just pushing harder, check which modes your pump has. Knowing the difference between the two modes makes pumping a little easier.
01. At first, air goes in both ways
Double Action sends air into the board both when you lift the handle and when you push it down. It's used to fill in a lot of air while the board is still soft.
On the left of the picture, air flows into the hose both when you pull up and when you push down. If your pump has this feature, start by checking the mode markings on the product.
02. As pressure builds, focus on pushing down
Single Action sends air when you push the handle down. With less pressure resistance as you lift, it's easier to keep pumping once the pressure has risen.
Keep your feet steady on the pump's footplate and press down without forcing or twisting the handle. The position of the switch and which way it turns may differ by pump model. Checking the markings on your own pump before the arrows in the picture helps avoid confusion.
03. How to read 7PSI and 18PSI
This picture presents that pump's double action range as 0–7PSI and its single action range as 7–18PSI. It's the original guide for understanding the modes, not a table setting the switch point for every pump or the target pressure for every board.
If your board's recommended pressure is 15psi, watch the gauge and stop at 15psi. Seeing 18 in the picture doesn't mean you should pump more.
| Mode in the picture | When air goes in | Range shown in the original |
|---|---|---|
| Double action | Lifting + pushing down | 0–7PSI |
| Single action | Pushing down | 7–18PSI |
04. Take one last look at the connections
Check that the hose is connected to the outlet that pushes air, and that the adapter fits the valve properly. If your pump has both inflate and deflate ports, take care not to mix up the markings.
If air keeps escaping as soon as you remove the pump, check the valve before putting in more effort. You can continue in the inflation and care guide below, with its pin UP/DOWN pictures.
Sources and scope
The artwork is Starboard's original Double Action Vs Single Action infographic, with its diagram, modes and 0–7/7–18PSI figures; the explanation is Starboard Korea's commentary. The figures are that original's pump guide and do not confirm the same operation or switch points for every model year of the linked products. The markings on each board take priority for the final inflation pressure.
The illustration is Starboard's original artwork; the explanation is Starboard Korea's editorial guide, translated into English here. Sources checked: 2026-09-08.
