: CLC has a recommended part on their SUP page for venting the
: interior to avoid damaging decompression when you go from a hot
: car to cold water. The design lets air in and out but not water.

: I've never seen one of these before, is it needed?

: Thanks,

: Jim

Yes, without a doubt you need vents, and for an SUP, especially as large as CLC's I would put two vents if using gore tex vents. I didn't know CLC sold gore tex vents, which it sounds like what you are describing- lets air flow but not water. I have tested the ones from Green Light Surf thoroughly and can recommend them.

http://greenlightsurfsupply.com/ventedleashplug.aspx

These double as a leash cup. Kill two birds with one stone. The best place for a vent is at the nose where it is less likely to be submerged, but a leash cup of course goes in the tail. I have tried these and they don't leak. I use them both as leash cups and as lash points for bungees so I have a small deck rigging. Again, you need TWO or more for a large board. They don't flow enough air to vent a large board (anything over a 9' x 24" longboard surfboard I would use at least two) Also if your board has internal frames make sure there is at least one hole in each frame to let air pass between each chamber.

If you don't vent the board it can gain pressure and "explode" perhaps not in the "kaboom!" sense of the word, but literally within minutes a pessure change can cause it to crack. Another option is a screw-in vent plug that you screw open when out of the water, and you must remember to screw shut when in the water. Obviously there is a problem there in that one day you WILL forget to either open or close it, and the result will be either a waterlogged board or a cracked board. That's why I like the gore tex vents.