TRENDS


2015 SUP TRENDS T


ALL-AROUND BOARDS CONTINUE TO RULE, WHILE SPECIALIZATION GROWS


he SUP market continues to bolster the outdoor industry with growth in sales and participation, providing a much-needed boost to retail shops


across North America. Where is SUP going in 2015? Here are some trends we see hitting this year. More touring boards: With more SUP racing events on the calendar in 2015 look for a bump in the touring and racing board categories. Sure, the top racers love their pro-level boards; however, according to JP-Australia’s North America product manager Tony Kardol, “Many paddlers are realizing they score their best results and find the most gliding fun on one of the many recreational cruisers.” These boards have slightly more width than the pro models and are easier to ride allowing paddlers to better find their faster glid- ing stroke. Plus they work everywhere from touring the local lake to longer distance ocean cruises. All-round boards rule: The touring board class may take a bigger chunk out of the overall SUP market in 2015 but the all-round shapes, which are de- signed to do a little bit of everything, will still be king. According to Bic Sport North America’s product and marketing manager Jimmy Blakeney, “All- around boards still dominate for the uninitiated. Even though touring models will typically be the better choice for many users it takes an educated shop employee to explain that.” Look for many of this year’s new models to adopt a little more of the gliding characteristics of their cruising-class brethren.


40 PADDLEBOARDING || Annual 2015


Inflatables expanding: A limiting factor for many city folk and owners of smaller vehicles is the size of the boards. The industry is catering to this demographic with more inflatable SUP models hitting store shelves in 2015. Inflatables now cover the spectrum across all categories of the sport, including all-round, cruising and even wave. In each category you give up some performance for portability but not nearly as much as you may think. Some of the new four-inch thick inflatable wave designs offered by many brands allow the rider to crank a tighter turn than the typical six-inch hard boards and are proving to be quite playful in small but fun conditions. Specialization is key: Brands continue to develop more boards to satiate every possible niche the sport can reach. Youth gear is taking off across all SUP categories, while shapes designed specifically for yoga and fishing are hitting the marketplace. A year ago whitewater boards would have been considered part of this group, but its rapid growth continuing into 2015 has earned it its own category on the market. Better paddles and accessories: Every year the choice in paddles gets bigger and better as technology and design keeps up with the sport’s growth. The biggest trend in paddles for 2015 is toward using a slightly smaller blade allowing for a more efficient stroke. Danny Mongno, marketing manager at Werner Paddles, says, “Whether smaller through overall blade size, or through a more slender shape, less resistance from the blade is keeping paddlers from getting tired and sore.” More proof of SUP’s huge impact on the watersports world comes when


looking at all the products designed specifically for standup paddleboard- ers, including booties, wetsuits, PFDs, helmets, hydration packs, leashes and board locks. Look for many more of these smaller ticket items to hit the market as 2015 unfolds. —Pete DeKay


PHOTOS COURTESY (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT): NAISH/FRANCK BERTHUOT, HOBIE, HOBIE, BIC SPORT/ BEN THOUARD


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