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Mounting and carrying

GoPro Mounts for Surfing, Kayaking and Boats: Where to Put Them

By Henrik Andersson, founder of Nordic Flash. Published

Rider on a personal watercraft wearing a purple Nordic Flash float with an action camera

On a surfboard, kayak or boat, mount the camera on a clean, hard, smooth spot where it has a clear view and won't be in your way. Use a curved mount on a rounded surface and a flat mount on a flat one, apply it at room temperature at least 24 hours before you go out, and keep a float on the camera in case it gets knocked off.

Key takeaways

  • Smooth, hard, clean surfaces only, and no surf wax under the pad; GoPro says textured surfaces can keep the adhesive from bonding well.
  • Curved mounts for rounded surfaces, flat mounts for flat ones.
  • Allow at least 24 hours before use, per GoPro.
  • You can reuse a mount by putting a new adhesive pad on the back; the pads come separately.
  • A float keeps the camera at the surface if the mount lets go.
Where is the camera going?

A flat mount, set 24 hours ahead, plus a float

A common place is forward on the nose. Clean the board, give the pad a day, and put a float on the camera in case it comes off.

Filming surfing

An adhesive or clamp mount, plus a float

The main risk is a drop over the side. Mount the camera, and keep a float on it so a knock does not end in a sinking.

Camera float 2-pack

A curved mount

Curved pads are the ones made for helmets. Clean the shell and give the adhesive time to cure.

Adhesive mounts

A flat mount on a clean, dry panel

Flat pads are the ones for boards, kayaks and car hoods. Prep the surface and wait before you rely on it.

Adhesive mounts

Curved and flat mounts for different surfacesA curved mount on a rounded helmet-like shape, and a flat mount on a board.Curved, on a helmetFlat, on a board or hoodMatch the pad to the surfaceCurved for helmets. Flat for boards, kayaks and car hoods.
A curved adhesive mount on a helmet shape, and a flat mount on a board.

By the numbers

Journalists and writers may use these figures with credit and a link back to this page. Questions: [email protected].

Where does a mount go on a surfboard?

On a clean, smooth, hard part of the deck. A spot with surf wax on it isn't a clean surface, so pick an unwaxed spot or clean the wax off first. Nordic Flash adhesive mounts can be used on surfboards, as well as on car hoods and other boards.

GoPro adds two notes for surfers (GoPro (opens in a new tab)):

  • Don't use an adhesive surf mount on a soft-top board. Soft tops are porous and the mount will not adhere properly.
  • The standard adhesive mount that comes with a GoPro is not meant for surfboards, and GoPro points surfers to a surfboard mount instead.

For angles and what to check before you paddle out, see how to film surfing with a GoPro.

Where should you mount a GoPro on a kayak or boat?

Look for three things: a clear view of what you want to film, a spot where the camera won't catch your paddle, line or hands, and a surface the adhesive can bond to.

Spot What you get Check
Bow or deck in front of you Your view forward, and you in the frame if turned back Smooth, hard surface; clear of the paddle stroke
Side of the hull or rail The water and the boat moving Flat or evenly curved surface, no texture
Helmet Your own point of view Curved mount, smooth helmet shell

Curved or flat mount?

Match the mount to the surface. Our adhesive mounts come as three curved mounts for rounded surfaces such as helmets and three flat mounts for flat surfaces such as boards and hoods, including surfboards and car hoods, each with a 3M pad. The aim is full contact: GoPro says to make sure the mount has full contact over the entire surface area (GoPro (opens in a new tab)). If you can see a gap under the pad, try the other shape or another spot.

Prep the surface before the pad goes onA board or hood surface with a clean wipe mark and a clock standing for cure time.Clean and dry24 hcureClean the surface, then give the pad timeA rush job is a common way to lose the camera
A surface being wiped clean, next to a 24-hour cure reminder.

How do you prep the surface?

GoPro's steps for adhesive mounts (GoPro (opens in a new tab)):

  1. Use a smooth, fully cleaned surface. A textured surface or imperfections can keep the adhesive from making a strong bond.
  2. Press the mount firmly into place, with full contact over the whole pad.
  3. Apply it at room temperature, and allow at least 24 hours before use.

GoPro also notes that adhesive mounts are typically not recommended on skis, snowboards, wakeboards or similar items, because flex and vibration can loosen them. Check your hull or deck before you commit a pad: if the spot is textured or flexes when you press it, choose a different one.

You can reuse a mount by putting a new adhesive pad on the back; the pads come separately. See how to remove an adhesive mount for the removal steps, then stick the new pad on a clean, smooth surface and wait at least 24 hours before use.

A float is the backup if the mount lets goA camera coming off a board mount, still attached to a float at the surface.If the camera leaves the board, the float stays with itWear it on the wrist, or clip it to the camera before you go out
A camera off a surfboard but still attached to a foam float at the surface.

How do you keep a knocked-off camera from sinking?

Add a float. Action cameras sink, as our guide to keeping a GoPro from sinking shows, and a mount can get knocked by a paddle, a dock or a wave. The camera float 2-pack clips to the camera on a quick-release cord: loop it around a mounting finger and secure it with the thumbscrew. The step-by-step guide covers it.

Check the weight. A HERO13 Black is 157 g before a mount or anything else is attached; compare the full setup with one float's rating, 7 oz (200 g).

Gear for this

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a regular GoPro adhesive mount on a surfboard?

GoPro says the standard adhesive mount that comes with the camera is not meant for surfboards, and points surfers to a surfboard mount. Nordic Flash adhesive mounts can be used on hard surfboards, as well as on car hoods and other boards. Use a clean, smooth spot with no wax, and don't use one on a soft-top board, because GoPro says soft tops are porous and the mount will not adhere properly.

Where should I mount a GoPro on a kayak?

A clean, hard, smooth spot with a clear view that stays out of your paddle stroke. Check the surface first; GoPro says textured surfaces can keep the adhesive from bonding well.

Should I use a curved or flat mount on a boat?

Match the surface. Use a curved mount on a rounded surface and a flat mount on a flat one, so the pad has full contact.

How long should an adhesive mount set before I go out?

At least 24 hours. GoPro says to apply adhesive mounts at room temperature and allow at least 24 hours for them to adhere.

Can I mount a GoPro on skis or a snowboard with an adhesive mount?

GoPro says adhesive mounts are typically not recommended on skis, snowboards, wakeboards or similar items, because flex and vibration can loosen them. For skiing and snowboarding, GoPro's own snow guide suggests a top or side helmet mount instead.

Can I move an adhesive mount to another spot?

Yes. Put a new adhesive pad on the back first; the pads come separately. Warm the old pad with a hair dryer to take the mount off, then apply the new pad on a clean, smooth surface and wait at least 24 hours before use.

Do I still need a float if the camera is mounted?

Yes, if you're on the water. A mount can get knocked off, and action cameras sink.

Sources

Related reading

GoPro and DJI are trademarks of their owners. Nordic Flash is not affiliated with them; brand names are used only to describe compatibility.