The need.

 To access all the on-water ability, fitness and fun.
To fully be able to do more onboard, any board.

The problem.

 There were no safe, durable, lightning fast
paddle storage solutions that provided real onboard freedom.

I wanted to do crazy fitness on the water.

You know, full throttle type stuff. 
​Burpees, super man push-ups, you name it.
I wanted every fitness possibility available onboard, with ease, frustration free.

But what I was experiencing was the paddle just laying on top of the board, bouncing all over the place, slapping me in the face, being in the way, falling overboard, floating off.

Not the fun, high intensity, excitement I was looking for.

All that needed to change.

Vs.

Commence Testing

We had to know if our idea of safe, out of the way, super fast storing + retrieving of paddles would unlock
​the experience we wanted to have.  
​So we went to work.

The first prototype looked like chewed gum.

I built the first proof from spray foam and pizza boxes.  It was hilarious but it worked straight away, held paddles, did what it was made to do. So I made more. Each time improving the design, adding a function.

These Krang Brain looking Clouds saw a lot of action but there were loads of questions to answer ​& tons of design work to do.

What to make it with?

We had to use a material that would work for a wide variety of applications.
Safety for the people, boards and paddles our Clouds would interact with was the ​top priority. 

Product Priority List

100% Safe for every person, every paddle, every board and piece of equipment it will interact with.

Light weight to keep the board responsive, unhindered, burden free. 

Flexible paddle storing for any and all paddles. 

Small to travel well or be stored in mobile fleet trailers etc.

Soft like a pillow, back rest or interactive exercise prop.

Multi purpose to secure valuables, keys, phones, hydration, go to gear.

Convenient and fun to use from the way it holds paddles + gear, to the way it attaches to boards.

Drag free attachment to keep the board gliding on water, the way we love.

The Epiphany.

With so many priorities to consider, finding the perfect build out was challenging. 
​There were major limitations with conventional materials.
​We were in pursuit of the ultimate, settling for less wasn't an option. 

I'll never forget the feeling.

When the idea to create Sup Cloud as an inflatable struck me, it felt like pure relaxation.  That God given thought went through my system and instantly created a calming joy as I realized that every requirement was met. 

​There was no turning back after that.
That moment changed everything.

The Push Back.

There wasn't any doubt that Sup Cloud would work, work well,
& do everything it needs to do in the newly realized inflatable form.

​What did I know about inflatables?  Nothing.
But when God shows that something is possible,
​I believe it. 

Shot Down.

The initial aha session answered many of the design questions.  Theory for how the inflatable would hold paddles, how it would attach to boards & surfaces, those things were understood.  What I didn't know was how to actually put the pieces together to make it do what I knew it could do. 

I had high hopes working with my first inflatable company. They were industry experts, held world records for inflatable accomplishments, had over 40 years of industry experience!

But after working with that company for half a year, trying to convince them how doable this design is, they finally said, " Your invention is never going to work, we aren't going to waste our time on it." 

Moving On.

You know I really didn't even care.  I wasn't mad.  They hadn't strung me along for 6 months.  They made me understand my product better, more simplistically.

Every time I made a video, did a demonstration, looked for a way to convince them to see things differently, I gained more knowledge about Sup Cloud, how it works and how to make it.

I took that knowledge and presented it to a new company.  A company that specializes in small orders, prototype phases.  A company located in the heart of Southern California.

They were willing to give my design a try and I am forever grateful for that. 

"Hey Nacho, it works."

I said, as he picked up the call from across the country. 

​I called to tell him our tests on the first inflatable Cloud
​ were successful.
​​
​To which he responded, "Ok, now what...?"
I answered, "Now we make it better."

Getting closer to Cloud9.

There were new developments to create, problems to solve but we were doing it!

They ended up letting me fly out to work through design issues in person.

Each visit I learned more.  The whole team did.  We learned what was possible with this fresh concept, what works, what fails and why.  It was the real deal.  Each visit produced new solutions, new strategies.

After my 3rd trip, we had gotten Sup Cloud as far as we could get it at their shop.  It was time to take it to the
​next level. 

Oooo, this is gettin' too real!

Friends connecting friends.

There aren't too many local options when it comes to manufacturing this type of product. 
Ok, there aren't ANY local options, and I didn't have any leads or connections. 
​Then all of that changed in an instant.

My good paddling buddy is an expert networker.  He really has a gift for it.  He met a man 
at Expo who specializes in inflatable products + services.
He orchestrated a meeting where his contact and I could discuss getting Sup Cloud to the next level.

At the meeting we discussed manufacturing, who to work with, when we could visit the factories together, 
all of the things Sup Cloud needed to mature. 

After that we were off to the races.  I had the best experience an inventor could ask for working with 
the companies Mark introduced me to.  We were able to turn Sup Cloud into something extraordinary.

I guess you could say the rest is history or the present, because we're still working hard.
 Detailing and delivering the best Stand Up Paddle accessory around. 

Thank you for the support, the stoke, the love.  It means more than you know. 

Much love to you, from me and the crew at Sup Cloud.