: 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.

Malcolm,

As always, thanks for a great and detailed answer.

Jim