AIRBOARD SUP S/S 2025 PREVIEW
Retail Buyers Guide: SUP S/S 2025 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Airboard
Interviewee: Thomas Schillig, Product Manager
2024 was a balancing act: getting rid of the 2022/23 inventory and introducing fresh SKUs. Did it turn out as you wish it would?
Not as good as we wanted, but as good as we expected. We kept low inventory, and kept new product development to a minimum.
How do you foresee the future of the category? Turning into a legit sport for the masses or still mainly use as a leisure activity by occasional participants?
Inflatable SUPs will remain popular as a mainstream sport but are unlikely to establish themselves in professional racing. Hardboards are definitely leading in that area.
How do your brand differentiate itself in the overcrowded “allround” segment? Pricing, technology, durability, wow factor?
We focus on innovations like Ultralight SUPs or inflatable PRONE. Additionally, we differentiate ourselves from the “all-round” crowd with our high-end products. Many paddlers who got into the sport with an affordable board tend to want to upgrade to a High-End board for their second SUP.
The second bestselling category would be “adventure SUPs”, which spreads from the touring boards to the fishing/multi-user/river models. Which are the trending segments within your brand?
Our trending boards are the Ultralight Boards. Half weight, half packing size. This allows for adventurous paddling in remote places
Inflatables: Which are your flagship models for SS25?
Our Inflatable Prone Boards.
Hardboards: who is your target customer for composite boards and what do you have to offer for SS25?
No Hardboards in product range
What kind of support do you offer for retailers? (pre-orders sales terms, in-season restocking, dropshipping, in-store demos…)
Great Pre-Order condition, Drop-Shipping, Special deals for presenting partners at the lakes, Post sales support including immediate warranty repair or replacement.
Key Products:
Airboard PRONE:
Change the way you paddle. Innovative design made for fitness prone paddlers, surfer, winter swimmers and, – Stand Up Paddlers. The hybrid version can even be used by professionals as a race SUP.
PRONE
Airboard STRIDER Ultralight:
Light and versatile. The light weight and small pack size enables easy transport for all ages, easy to carry on public transport, airplanes, or hiking adventures, from city trips to extreme explorations. Open your horizons and paddle where you didn’t think possible.
STRIDER
Airboard TEAM:
Paddling for everyone. Bring the whole family, all your friends, and the dog. Make your own island adventure. The Team is a unique way to enjoy paddling together. Packs into a regular sized wheel bag for easy transport and storage.
TEAM
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