Stand up paddle boards – or “SUP” for short – have enjoyed massive success over the last few years. From oceans to lakes, more and more people are taking advantage of the ability to enjoy cruising on the water without the claustrophobic feel of a kayak. The competition is fierce amongst manufacturers, which has increased the need for cutting edge design while also driving down prices.
The reality is that most stand up paddles boards are rigid, which makes for a difficult time transporting from one location to another. Inflatable models have found some success at a lower price point but lack the get-in-and-go of a solid fiberglass or wood model. Insert SipaBoards, a unique Kickstarter project that aims to solve many of those problems described above. It has already smashed its goal and only has a few days left to get in on the action…
The SipaBoard is an electric, self-inflating stand up paddle board that takes a lot of the guess work out of the sport. After unrolling the SUP and inserting the engine into the middle of the board, it will begin to fill itself with air. In “about five minutes” you’ll have a fully-inflated board that is ready for action.
Once you have the SipaBoard in the water, you’ll really begin to unlock the full potential of this product. The same engine that filled the board with air also provides “up to three hours of paddling time” via a small propellor located below the water. The propulsion device itself is actually hidden up in the board, so there is no worries about getting it caught on anything in the water.
Even better, the speed and power is controlled by wireless buttons that are built-in to the paddle. If you were to drop the paddle in the water, the engine will automatically shut-off so your board doesn’t run away. It will provide roughly 3.5 knots of assistance for one hour or 2 knots for three hours on a full charge. The SipaBoard claims that you’ll get 1,000 charging cycles out of the battery before you need a new one, which should equate to multiple years of use for the average person.
Although a large part of stand up paddle boarding is the workout, the extra boost from the engine makes it appealing for younger and older people looking to get into SUP. Even for avid users, knowing that you don’t have to pump you board full of air is a nice feature. If this SUP strikes your fancy, you’ll want to hustle over to Kickstarter and make a pledge. SipaBoards has already raised $217,000, well over its goal of $150,000 with five days remaining. A pledge of $1,440 will get you a board in September, which is about $700 below the final retail price.
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