AQUADESIGN SUP 2025 PREVIEW

Retail Buyers Guide: SUP 2025 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Aquadesign
Interviewee: Product & Marketing Manager

In our previous SUP Buyer’s Guide, most indicators showed the 2022-23 overstocks were clearing out. Did 2024 end on the same note with a better demand vs. offer balance?
The trend has remained the same, and our stocks, as well as those of our resellers, are reaching more reasonable levels. We are launching new productions on certain references and can finally work on renewing the range for the next season.

Cheaper entry-level iSUPs represent the bulk of the sales but the segment is flooded with brands and products, whereas more advanced SUPs offer better margins. How do you intend to position your brand on the market spectrum in 2026?
The entry-level paddleboard market for the general public became saturated due to a sharp drop in demand following a period of increasing supply. Today, the market is adjusting as many opportunistic brands have not survived years of low consumption in such a competitive environment. At Aquadesign, we are not looking to abandon entry-level products but rather to use them as a gateway to guide users toward more performance-oriented boards. Our core segment has always been professional rental services. We will continue to develop products that introduce the sport to the public. While we enjoy working on more technical boards—having been the first to introduce a dual-chamber board with our Bi-Drop model—this market remains smaller and is largely dominated by well-established brands from the windsurfing industry. We will maintain a broad product offering to establish a strong presence in each category with high-quality boards, without overextending the range with overly niche models.

Which are your key inflatable models for 2026 in the Allround/Cruising segments?
Visibility for the 2025 season has remained quite unclear over the past few months. We are only just beginning to work on new products and are not yet in a position to announce the flagship models of the upcoming range.

Which Specialty iSUP are you pushing in 2026: Race & Flatwater, River, Fishing, SUP-Kayak…?
We are particularly targeting well-equipped touring paddle boards that remain accessible to the general public, not just enthusiasts, in order to continue converting casual paddlers into regular practitioners of this sport over time.

There has been a relative status quo the past 3 years regarding new technologies & materials? Do you have some exciting news to share for the year coming or did the SUP products reach a maturity in designs/constructions?
It is true that the product has reached a certain level of maturity, although there is still room for designers’ creativity. On our side, we are working on exciting new techniques aimed at optimizing the lifespan of our boards, particularly to meet the needs of our professional clients in the rental and water activity sectors. Progress is going well, and we should soon be able to integrate these techniques into mass production. There is also room for highly interesting materials, such as TPU, which is currently used in the packraft industry. This material is significantly lighter than PVC but remains too expensive for a market that is still struggling. We believe it is a material we will start using once the market stabilizes and reaches a healthier price positioning.

How are you supporting retailers through this difficult period?
We have made significant efforts during these challenging years to support our retailers by sacrificing our margins, allowing them to remain competitive while preserving their own profitability—even if it meant selling a large part of our stock at a loss. We also granted exceptional payment terms to prevent them from facing financial difficulties. This situation is extremely precarious, causing serious cash flow challenges and limiting our ability to invest in new product launches. However, these sacrifices were necessary to turn the page on this difficult period and ensure the sustainability of the key players in the market.

Key Products:

Megacraft 15’:
The Mégacraft is a giant paddleboard designed to boost your incentive activities! Accommodating up to 10 participants, it’s perfect for thrilling challenges that strengthen teamwork and cohesion. Offer a unique and fun experience on the water with this oversized paddleboard, ideal for unforgettable group competitions. Available in multiple colors.

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Iota 10’:
The IOTA 10’0″ inflatable SUP is built for rental professionals. Featuring reinforced PVC, multiple handles, and unbreakable fins, it withstands intensive use. Stable and easy to maneuver, it ensures a reliable experience for beginners and intermediates alike. A durable, high-performance choice for providers seeking long-lasting and resilient equipment.

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Tempo 11’6:
The Tempo 11’6″ inflatable SUP is perfect for those seeking a truly progressive board, beyond a simple beach toy. Designed for long-distance paddling, it combines stability with smooth glide performance. Its premium Fusion construction ensures optimal rigidity and lightness, providing a durable and responsive experience for users looking to improve their skills with confidence.

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