Hi guys!
New here, so I hope this post is in the right place.

Quick post about a current project of mine involving SUP's! Could really use some feedback/advice, the more the better!

I am an MSc Product Designer in Cardiff UK, and have been on a fair few solid SUP's since I was a kid, owned a kayak and been surfing a fair bit.. I recently gave in and finally decided to buy an inflatable sup off of amazon (super happy with the board and all the kit, absolutely love being out on it - been on a few calm rivers and a local open beach for some relaxed paddles - no complaints there).
However, as this is my first inflatable sup its been a different experience compared to solid boards. The balance took a little longer to get used to and the board is more responsive (easier to fall off I've found).

As I mentioned in the opener to this post I'm a MSc product designer and have a 11 week project space that I need to fill with an idea (the project would involve everything from concept ideation, a huge range of designs and analysis with testing out on boards of what works best/whats needed/if anything is needed at all).. and I've been thinking id quite like to do a project to improve the overall experience of SUPing (maybe for beginners/not sure)... So, so far I've split the 'problems' I've found into two categories: fatigue and balance, and weight and transport along the beach.

Ive been considering developing a product/design that involves compatible/inflatable lightweight outriggers for stability (potentially having one either side that the user is able to adjust the angle of - so when its choppy and the user wants to float along they sit 90 degrees to the board, 45degrees to the board trailing behind when they want to paddle at a moderate enjoyable speed, and then 180degrees trailing parallel along the edges of the board when the user wants to catch the last wave in on a beach. (I've also considered outriggers that can be used as storage for things such as keys, food/drink, wallet etc etc.), ass well as some sort of soft minimalist compatible lightweight folding chair/back support that allows the user to go from standing on the board to sitting with it or kneeling on it with ease when they're tired of standing. So far I've been thinking this piece of kit would be design to easily attach to any board with adjustable straps to allow anyone to use it.

I would really appreciate any ideas and comments, positive and negative, and general feedback on whether people would even consider using a piece of kit like this.. and if not, what areas of SUP boarding would you suggest for a design project if at all!
If anyone is keen for this feel free to dm me as well and if anyone thinks its worth doing there could be some opportunities for testing. mike131@live.co.uk

Thanks guys

Mike

The balance is a non-issue. What you describe has already been invented previously, and nobody bought them.
Google for "stabilizer sup"... goo.gl/UxZebG
Just get a stable enough board.

Think of learning to ride a bike. Yes stability is an issue for the first minutes, but side wheels already exist, there is no market niche for innovative side wheels.

If you want to innovate, I guess you should concentrate on solving issues for regular SUP riders, not just during the first learning hours.
People already addicted to SUP will also be more keen to spend money than beginners. E.g you just bought something on Amazon, I guess because it was cheaper than buying locally from a shop who would had advised you on the proper board width for your body size/abilities.

Some ideas:
A leash you do not step on and that does no drag in the water?
Holders for spare paddles for downwinders?
A safety system to be able to paddle back to shore on an inflatable if it gets pierced?
Something to ease cruising around with chidren (or dogs?) on the board?
...

or maybe a decent tail-handle for use in surf?

I want a board that changes width while I am in the surf.

Imagine having a shorter board that would be great for surf, but with side wings that pop out when you are paddling back out or standing out the back. The side wings provide stability, but they would slot back into the board, based on foot pressure, when you paddle for the wave and catch it.

It would be better if the side wings slotted away based on telepathy, but foot pressure is OK for version 1.0.

what you described ,it would be a perfect fishing SUP. with the outriggers storing rods etc...
maybe a seat ...
nobodies made THE FISHING SUP .yet .could be big .

Ok thank you all for the feedback! Good to know I've been looking in the wrong place for improvements so I can start looking in the right place. You guys really are helping me out a lot with just a couple seconds of your time with a comment, so thanks again!

I went to a local SUP shop yesterday and they also said the stabilisers weren't that necessary, and said its simply a case of buying a bigger/correct board for my size - makes sense!

I've added about 40 SUP clubs/groups on Facebook and received a couple comments from regular suppers to shop owners which were all positive. a lot suggested the focus on beginners.. but Colas you're right, after 10 minutes on a bike you no longer need the stabilisers, so why would you need these for longer? *Just a thought, I've been on some really calm rivers and my balance has been great on the inflatable SUP I have - no issues at all. but when I transitioned to the open sea the other day it was a different experience altogether - I spent almost 40 minutes just focusing on balance which really killed the joy for me, and I was just so tired because of it. -The shop suggested purchasing a bigger and 'better' board - which, makes sense - but their kit was ?700-2k - as a student on a budget, I'm not really looking to spend over 300/400 on a board for some fun - just wondering whether theres more people out there who are similar, who can't simply afford to buy better stuff who still want to get in on the fun - potential market??

Additionally, I'm just wondering whether there could be some kind of stabiliser aid for choppier water that extends out (very similar to what cantSUP enough/VIC said) - and when you're on still water they're basically no existential. -So the user could control them entirely? That way they're not in your way when you don't want them, and they're there when you need them.

In relation to Tardys comment, I've also had a lot of feedback in relation to doing something for fishing SUPs! Potential areas including a chair/storage space that is super lightweight and comfy and desirable looking (not just your regular fishing box which I've seen used a lot), - instead something really quite sexy and potentially modular that could transform shape into maybe a kneeling mat or lying down mat? Potential to put all your fishing gear in it, food, drink etc with built in rod holders? Does anyone think this is a good idea?

Also had some more comments in relation to stabilisers for fishing - suggesting that when paddling out they're not needed - but when you've found your spot you extend these floats out and you can forget about needing to balance because they're doing the job for you - with potential to put your gear in these floaty pontoons too?

I really appreciate all the comments, negative and positive, - I really wanna do a 10 week project on SUPs, but if I can't find a good enough area that all you guys think is worthwhile ill have to change topic entirely (and be very sad)

-Mike

I have never looked for a board that is such a low price, but price should not relate to stability; you just need something that is wider. There are many factors that affect width, but width (and buoyancy) have the greatest affect.

But for a design project, if you can provide stability when it is needed, then you would be on to something.

I have no idea about these things, but if you could step on a rocker/lever that caused the board to get wider, and step on the other side of the rocker to make it become narrow again - and not look too goofy - then it could be helpful. (It may be a silly idea too...) But it could be an interesting project to explore the idea.

If you did it on a fishing sup, you could add stubby holders to the wings that popped out ;)

Hi Mike ...maybe look into a inflatable dugout SUP for fishing ,just width in a board will give stability ..and if you are low in the water eg. sitting
the extra pontoon or outrigger may not be necessary.maybe a extra fin will give this ,like a mini centre board .or one each side as a stabiliser ,which can be pulled up for paddling .OR large twin fins.
I'M guessing this is a project .?

Select to expand quote

mikeISUPUK said..
Just a thought, I've been on some really calm rivers and my balance has been great on the inflatable SUP I have - no issues at all. but when I transitioned to the open sea the other day it was a different experience altogether

This is because on a SUP, handling choppy waters and wind is extremely difficult and take a lot of technique (time) to master. It is not obvious if you never tried it. The shop guy was right, you just need a wider board, and wider boards are the same price. Boards are just more expensive in shops because you pay the experience of the guy, the service (demo boards, trade-ins)...

Hi mike - ive emailed you some info on a concept - let me know what you think