NSP SURF SUP S/S 2025 PREVIEW

Retail Buyers Guide: SUP S/S 2025 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: NSP
Interviewee: Jarrason Bitton Design & Communications 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?
As a brand NSP is across a lot of SUP categories. We used to use a line “from first board to first place” as that’s what we do. Since 2001 our brand ethos has always been about creating really durable boards at great value. In SUP we literally make everything from inflatables and soft boards for rental the whole way to elite level world title winning surf and race boards. We have a clear mission to inspire people to adopt the lifestyle at whichever level they choose. Obviously the total market is not setting records but we’re very fortunate that while some categories needed some price motivation to maintain momentum we had demand outstripping production with new designs like the Surf SUP’s like the Instigator and High Roller, multi use designs like the Omni and our Race Boards following countless world titles current and in recent history.

How do you foresee the future of the category? Turning into a legit sport for the masses or still mainly used as a leisure activity by occasional participants?
Stand up paddle as a whole continues to grow following the Covid boom of first time leisure paddlers that are now transitioning from inflatables or all rounders to surf or touring boards and also to racing. Everyone starts in every sport on a leisure level essentially and with the masses giving it a try it was only logical that some would go a little deeper. Over the last 24 months, we’ve seen a shift in competitive Race SUP interest from AU and USA audiences to the growing EU and Asian markets. However, it’s the leisure side of the sport that truly opens the door for global participation. Stand up paddle boarding offers something for everyone, from first timers discovering new ways to explore the water, to seasoned paddlers making it part of their daily routine. Whether you take a high performance, Formula 1 style approach or prefer a more casual experience, the love for being on the water unites all paddlers for a life on the water!! The launch of our Omni SUP all purpose, all condition model has been incredibly well received, bridging the gap between recreational boards and premium race models. This category is growing quickly, injecting new energy into the market. Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to introduce a more budget-friendly version of the Omni in Elements construction, making high quality paddle boarding accessible to paddlers on a tighter budget utilising NSP top tier tech through the entire range.

How do your brand differentiate itself in the overcrowded “allround” segment? Pricing, technology, durability, wow factor?NSP made it’s first production SUP’s in 2007 and was one of the very first brands to do so. What makes NSP different is that we’ve always looked at our place in the market as a function to grow the sport. We pair the best quality durable manufacturing at Cobra with fully tested and developed designs via our professional riders and R+D division and then target the market at a price that’s accessible to everyone. It’s usually cheap and nasty or expensive and quality. With NSP you get the best possible combination of value and durability possible and that sets us apart from the competition. In this category we have the ‘Allrounder’ which is a perfectly functional flatwater cruiser and very capable surf sup with quite a few competition results over time. The evergreen Cruise models which feature a rounded nose and squarer tail, providing extra stability, making them ideal for paddlers of all skill levels, shapes and sizes. These are available in Inflatable, soft, elements and Cocomat construction with a price point and application for everyone. In 2024 we also introduced the Omni which means ‘All’ and is leading new growth in this segment, with a fresh approach. The Omni comes in both Carbon SLX (super light epoxy) construction and our proprietary Elements glassed epoxy construction, delivering exceptional performance and value. The Omni is cheaper, lighter, faster, more efficient in flat water and surfs better than our competition in this category. The Omni is the perfect board for people that want more metres per paddle stroke for cruising or touring, very capable in the ocean up or downwind and actually surfs really well. It’s fast enough for people to try their first races as well so when we say ‘Omni’ we really do mean ‘All”.

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?
We’ve been active in the touring and fishing categories for some time which we maintain but perhaps due to our racing success the “touring” category grew faster for us in 2024. Racing remains strong and distribution continues to grow and Surf SUP also with steady growth.

Inflatables: Which are your flagship models for SS25?
After Christian Andersen rocked up to the APP event in India last year where he won against star studded competition on hard race boards he shocked the world that this could even be possible on an inflatable. Of course Christian is no normal paddler and the Performance Race FSL is no ordinary inflatable but this result was incredible. The FSL features a race winning design with our proprietary low drag fin box system and an additional air chamber on the nose to add volume and narrow the performance gap between hard and inflatable boards. Demand for this has been very high ever since and this is by far the fastest inflatable in the world and our flag ship inflatable for 2025.

Hardboards: who is your target customer for composite boards and what do you have to offer for SS25?
At NSP, we’re dedicated to guiding every paddler on their journey from first board to first place. We cater to a diverse range of paddlers, from beginners eager to explore to seasoned athletes aiming for competitive success. Our commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability drives us to create composite boards that elevate the paddling experience and motivate people to live a life in the water. We don’t want to sell anyone a single board, we want them to paddle for life and supply the boards that take them on that adventure no matter where they go. For SS25, our key focus is of course our elite world title winning race team and the eternal development at the top end with design and materials. Much the same as Formula 1 racing the lessons we learn here flow down the line to the rest of our range. The heralded offspring of this development this year is the Omni. The OMNI is specifically designed for those who have outgrown their recreational boards, whether inflatable or hardboard, typically with widths over 30 inches. These paddlers seek to enhance their skills and performance, requiring a board that provides a more refined experience with a slimmer profile. The OMNI comes in 12’6” and 14’ lengths in multiple widths and 2 constructions to target price, goals and performance of the customer. With the training wheels off, paddlers can confidently embark on touring, long-distance paddling, riding small waves and their first recreational races. The board’s design promotes excellent glide, control, and speed, allowing riders to enjoy the water. Its balanced rocker and rail shape ensure outstanding performance in both the surf zone and open ocean, ideal for adventurous paddlers looking to push their limits.

What kind of support do you offer for retailers? (pre-orders sales terms, in-season restocking, dropshipping, in-store demos…)
Our dealers know their markets and the importance to get the boards out there for people to demo, trial and experience. Where the original SLX was CNC cut, the Elements models are molded to support faster production and with the increased output, much more attractively priced without compromising weight. Contact your local NSP importer or demo dates!

Key Products:

OMNI Elements:
Combining the nose of NSP’s renowned and multiple world title-winning race boards, a cleverly designed hybrid rocker and the tail from the High Roller longboard surfing SUP the Omni is a shape that rides waves, cruises on flat or bumpy ocean, with effortless stability and glide making this the perfect board for touring, leisure, training, or entering your first race.

Omni_14_0_3in1

Performance Race Inflatable:
It’s sleek, it’s fast, it’s inflatable. Athletes wanting to do away with roof racks and cumbersome transportation should try the Race FSL. Perfect for open water endurance paddling which will see you on the podium!

NSP Performance Race FSL Inflatable – 3in1

High Roller SLX:
Super smooth and forgiving, allowing surfers to paddle in early, ride the nose, trim and flow as well as cross step back to the tail and smash the lip.

NSP_High_Roller_Surf_Sup_10x30_5_3in1