New Inflatable SUP Board Technology Propelling the Paddleboard Industry Forward

(Newswire.net — February 13, 2018) Bend, OR — Stand up paddle boarding continues to be the fastest growing water sport in the world. This demand is spurring manufacturers to invest in new innovations to make their products more durable and portable to a growing market of consumers. Board designer and distributor Stand on Liquid, the largest distributor of paddle boards and SUP accessories on the West Coast, is excited about the newest inflatable technologies making their way onto the scene. Three innovations that will be of interest to amateur and professional paddle boarders are the Fusion Laminated PVC technology, Carbon Hybrid PVC technology, and the Double Layered PVC technology.

First brought to the market by the Red Paddle Company, the fusion laminated PVC process offers strength and stiffness to inflatable paddleboards at a much lighter weight. All 2018 Stand on Liquid’s Inflatables, including the Good Vibes Air and Newport Air inflatable board models, will be constructed using fusion technology.

The fusion manufacturing process involves a Monocoque Structural Laminate (MSL) stage that places a molten PVC coating to the inner thread section. The two layers of high-density PVC that are 1.3mm thick are fused together using heat lamination. This process creates a single structure with the seams heat pressed. Boards created using fusion laminated PVC offer a greater level of torsion stiffness when inflated while having a waterproof seal which is air tight. These stand up boards are stronger, lighter and have a better desired stiffness while eliminating errors that are commonly seen with hand gluing processes.

Increasing stiffness without adding weight is a primary goal for all inflatable SUP board manufacturers. One standout process, carbon hybrid technology, is breaking new ground in the field by offering less material to their inflatables that doesn’t neglect its durable qualities.

Only currently available with Hala Gear board company, the carbon hybrid process involves combining unidirectional carbon with fusion drop stitch along aramid fibers. These fibers are compressed by 200,000 lbs., creating a board that has three times the rigid capabilities when undergoing flex testing. These paddle boards, like the Carbon Straight Up will appeal to paddle boarders who enjoy a hardboard’s performance, rigidity, and durability, yet desire the portability of an inflatable.

The carbon hybrid technology seeks to create a process where less material to the board won’t negatively impact its performance or portability. With this compression process, the manufacturer is seeing the creation of a burly elite board with higher stiffness properties. In addition to the carbon hybrid technology, the company offers its core construction technology with bomber double-layer drop stitching to provide a burly and sporty paddle board, as well as its fusion bi-layer drop stitch for a lighter paddleboard construction.

Hala Gear is also seeking to add more performance capabilities to their inflatable paddle boards by introducing Doublestack construction. Instead of having only a single chamber that is pumped up with air, the Doublestack boards will have two separate air chambers located at the bottom and the top of the board. One such board is the river surfing Hala Peno.

Lastly, for paddle boarders who are looking for a heavier construction to their boards, the standard double-layer PVC construction is available. The double-layer PVC technology involves the high drop-stitching process where a core layer of PVC has a secondary PVC layer welded directly to it. The second PVC layer also goes around the V-Drop stitch material, as a third layer of colored rail bands is attached. In addition, these boards feature lower side profiles along with V-hull design to offer paddle boards for recreational use along rivers, bays and lakes.

By having a double layer of PVC, these paddle boards are rigid and offer a premium quality that will have them last for many years even when a paddle boarder engages in hard use. The Colorado board company, SOL, features the standard double-layer technology as you can find boards such as the Solsonic that is suitable for touring and racing activities and the SOLshine, designed for yogis and all around paddling.