Your high pressure pump gauge requires quite a bit of back pressure to get the needle ‘off the stop’ – sometimes as much as 5-7psi. Even though you’ve pumped for what seems like ages and your SUP looks and feels solid – there’s more to go!
Don’t worry though, as you get up towards the 15-17psi range you need, there are fewer strokes required to raise the pressure (although the strokes get harder- so remember to switch to single action on your pump).
The first time you inflate a paddle board it can feel like an eternity, but in truth it’s a few minutes, you get used to it and as boarders will tell you, it’s a good warm-up!
Unless you’re already sure you are up to pressure- i.e you can verify that with a known working pump, keep pumping to see if the needle starts to move.