The first warm forecast has a way of changing the weekend plan. The board comes out of its bag, the car gets rearranged and a familiar stretch of water starts looking very inviting. Before you head out, give the equipment a little time on dry land.
After a break from riding, start with an inspection, check the battery and controller, reconnect to Awake Link and plan an easy first outing. Finish with a proper rinse and dry so the next ride is easier to organise.
You do not need to turn the occasion into a workshop session. You do need enough time to notice a loose fitting, an unfamiliar warning or something that was put away damp at the end of the last ride. It is much nicer to sort those things at home than at the launch point.
Start with the board out of its bag
Lay out the board, battery, controller and accessories somewhere clean and dry. Look over the hull and battery casing for damage, then check the connections for sand, salt residue or corrosion. On a RÄVIK, inspect the fins and their fixings. On a VINGA, give the mast, wings and their connections the same attention.
Check the propulsion system for visible damage or debris, with the battery removed and the power key disconnected. Do not put fingers or tools into a connected drive. If a fitting is damaged, a seal looks compromised or something feels loose and you cannot identify why, get it checked before riding. Our owner guides are a useful place to start.
Give the battery its own check
A battery that has been sitting for a while deserves attention before it goes on charge. Inspect its housing and connection points first. If it has been dropped, looks damaged or shows an unfamiliar warning, do not use or charge it until you have spoken to the team. Do not try to open the pack or improvise a repair.
Use the approved Awake charger with clean, dry connections. Set up in a dry, cool place away from direct sunlight and combustible materials, on a flat, fire-resistant surface, and supervise charging. Leave a warm battery time to cool before charging it. The charging guide walks through the routine.
If you are unsure how your battery was stored, tell us which battery you have and how long it has been unused. We can help you establish the right next step for that equipment.
Reconnect before you leave home
Charge the hand controller as well as the main battery, then confirm that it connects properly. It is an easy item to overlook when the board itself has most of your attention. You can find the controller routine in our charging guide.
Open Awake Link, connect to your battery and review the equipment status and any available firmware updates. Check your riding settings, too, particularly if someone else used the board last. Give yourself time to follow the app's instructions and resolve any notification before packing up.
Make the first ride an easy one
Choose familiar, permitted water with shelter, sufficient depth and plenty of room away from swimmers and boat traffic. Check the conditions and your return route, and have someone present, keeping watch and able to help. An ambitious trip can wait until you have settled back into the board.
Check the fit and condition of your lifejacket, helmet and protective clothing, and use the power key leash correctly. Start within your current ability, keep track of the battery and controller charge, and leave a comfortable reserve for getting back. The first outing is a good opportunity to become familiar with everything again.
Make the rinse part of the ride
Back ashore, power down and remove the battery using the correct shutdown procedure in a dry area. Fresh water is part of the care routine after every outing: rinse the board, propulsion system and hand controller gently, and never use a pressure washer.
Give the equipment time to dry fully before storing it. Keep electrical connection points clean and dry before reconnecting the battery, and check for anything the ride has left behind, such as seaweed or sand. Avoid leaving equipment in strong sun to dry for a long period. Our after-the-ride guide keeps the sequence close to hand.
It helps to make room for this before you leave: somewhere to rinse, a towel and somewhere suitable to lay the equipment out. A few practical arrangements make looking after the board much less of a chore when everyone is ready for lunch.
Set up for the next outing
If another ride is a few days away, follow the charging and storage routine for your battery. If the board is going away for longer, use the storage and winterisation guide and ask us if you are uncertain which instructions apply. Longer storage needs periodic battery checks; a charged battery still needs attention while it is put away.
This is also a sensible moment to check when the equipment was last serviced. If service is due, or the first inspection raises a question, arrange it before the summer calendar fills up.
Need a hand getting ready? Contact Awake Australia & New Zealand with your board model, battery details and anything you have noticed. We can help with the next step, the right owner guide or a service enquiry.
Summer preparation questions
What should I check after my Awake has been in storage?
Start with the board, battery casing, connections and fittings. Check for damage, contamination and loose parts, then check charging, controller connection and equipment status before planning your first ride.
Can I charge the battery while its connections are wet?
No. Connection points must be clean and completely dry before charging. Use the approved Awake charger and a suitable dry charging area.
What charge level should I use for longer storage?
Ask for the storage instructions for your particular battery and keep up its recommended checks. The right storage routine depends on the equipment you own.
What if the battery shows a warning or appears damaged?
Do not use or charge a battery you suspect is damaged. For an unfamiliar warning, check its meaning and contact Awake support before continuing. Do not open or attempt to repair the battery yourself.