Paddlebuddy

Stand Up Paddleboard accessory concept for ME 549 Product Design course.

Overview

This was the culminatation of a semester long group project for a product design class taught by Design Concepts Inc. through the ME 549 Product Design course at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. The project was a theoretical design consulting project for the company BOARDWORKS.

Problem Background

In the past few years, SUP has become an increasingly popular activity for leisure and fitness. Although the sport enjoys a large number of first-time participants, preliminary market research indicates that there is a smaller number of repeat users. BOARDWORKS believes this drop-off is due, at least in part, to the frustration that some beginners have with maintaining their balance when going from a seated to a standing posture.

Problem Statement

SUPs are offered in a wide variety of sizes and geometries, so that experienced paddlers can tailor their board to their body size, water conditions, and desired performance characteristics. BOARDWORKS believes that many novice paddlers are frustrated with their first SUP experience because they select a board that is ill-fitted to them.

Due to the relatively high price point of our boards (~$1000), too many novice consumers skip over the entry-level boards that they should learn on, opting for the more streamlined boards that look cooler, smaller, and lighter.

BOARDWORKS would like to introduce an accessory, similar to training wheels for a bicycle, that can be attached to any board in our current product line. These “SUP training wheels”will provide more stability and give novice paddlers confidence during the critical early period where they are learning how to balance on and maneuver their board.

Preliminary Marketing Requirements

From the preliminary market research conducted internally to date, BOARDWORKS believes that the consumer segment that could best be served by SUP training wheels would be male and female adults aged 40-60. However, since SUPs are gaining popularity across all demographics, we would like to understand whether the SUP training wheels would have appeal in other age segments.

BOARDWORKS will rely on your research to help finalize marketing requirements for the product.
BOARDWORKS currently anticipates that a successful accessory should:

Accommodate all boards (including inflatables) in the current product line
Attach in a non-destructive manner
Be suitable for use in different water types (fresh water vs salt) and depths
Provide sufficient stability for a wide range of body sizes (male and female)
Be “retractable” by the paddler once they reach a standing position
Not adversely affect the handling of the board for paddlers who choose not to retract it
Not pose a tripping hazard on the top surface of the board
Not draw unwanted attention, for novices who are self-conscious

In addition to the above requirements, BOARDWORKS has the following open questions which we are looking for user research to inform:

How long would novice paddlers need to use SUP training wheels?
Would novices use their SUP training wheels only when attempting to stand? Would the SUP training wheels also help novices get back on their board after a fall? In what other situations would SUP training wheels be useful?
Would some novices want the added stability of their SUP training wheels while they are paddling? Would novices want the ability to gradually or partially retract them (to wean themselves off of their added stability) as they become more confident in their own balance?
Could SUP training wheels make it easier to paddle with your child or dog on board with you?
Should our SUP training wheels be compatible with the boards of our competitors?

Our Solution

Our final product is a mat that attaches to the paddleboard using a VHB adhesive. It features a slim design and a mechanism that allows the user to prop themselves up with their paddle. It is compatible with all paddleboards and is removable. The construction of the product is EVA foam over injection molded plastic.