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Inflatable Paddleboard History
May 5, 2022
Inflatable Paddleboard History
he first inflatable wakeboards were made by American wakeboard brand Uli and first sold in the US in 2001. In 2008, Redpaddle, a well-known brand in the United States, followed suit and withdrew from inflatable wakeboard products. Brands of inflatable wakeboards started popping up in the years that followed, but Uli and Redpaddle were really pioneers in the field. The very first inflatable wakeboards, still in good condition to this day, and most of them still in use!
The structure of the inflatable paddles in use today is very similar to the first ones. However, the length and shape of the early inflatable paddles are very similar, and generally between 3.05-3.35M. The thickness is generally 10CM. But early brands and consumers were skeptical of inflatable wakeboards.
Are they useful? Will it be recognized by the market? At the time, ULI and Redpaddle were skeptical and despised by their peers because of their dedication to the development of inflatable wakeboards. But today, inflatable wakeboards are causing an uproar in the world of wakeboarding, and have strongly promoted the recognition and popularity of wakeboarding.
Compared to 5-6 years ago, the inflatable wakeboard market landscape is very different today. Not only are there so many brands, but there are more shapes and sizes than you can imagine. Including the other brands that mocked ULI and Redpaddle in the early days, there are few brands that don't have inflatable wakeboards in their product line. But not all inflatable wakeboards you want to use. They vary widely in build, shape, sturdiness and quality. As of 2015.8, there are more than 30 brands in the market, but only half of the products are reliable in quality. Be careful when buying.
Compared to 5-6 years ago, the inflatable wakeboard market landscape is very different today. Not only are there so many brands, but there are more shapes and sizes than you can imagine. Including the other brands that mocked ULI and Redpaddle in the early days, there are few brands that don't have inflatable wakeboards in their product line. But not all inflatable wakeboards you want to use. They vary widely in build, shape, sturdiness and quality. As of 2015.8, there are more than 30 brands in the market, but only half of the products are reliable in quality. Be careful when buying.
Why is the air pressure different on an inflatable wakeboard?
This is a frequently asked question. While one board can only be inflated to 12psi, the other board can be inflated to 25psi. It depends on many factors, such as the construction of the board, the thickness and a clear understanding of the maximum inflation value of the board.
Certain board constructions can handle higher pressures. Generally speaking, the recommended pressure value of the thicker side of the board will be larger, and vice versa, the thinner board will be smaller.
The thickness of the board determines, in part, how much inflation to rush in. The same one-meter board, the 10cm board needs to be filled with more gas to show the same hardness as the 15cm board.
Be sure to know the maximum inflation pressure for the board. A good brand should know the inflation pressure limit of its own product, and has tested to determine the critical point of inflation damage of the board. (In general, it is a certain distance from their recommended value.) Be careful with some cheap boards with a recommended pressure value of only 10psi. It is very likely that they have not tested the pressure that the board can withstand. I don't know the capabilities of my board at all.
