Wetboard is the world’s first electric-powered water ski-wakeboard hybrid. Small and lightweight, this highly transportable board eliminates the need for towboats and trailers and doesn’t require the use of smelly, messy gas. Complete with a variety of features that make transportation, maneuvering, and tricks easier, the Wetboard is a versatile watercraft that is going to change the way people water ski and wakeboard.
No mess, no smell—just a clean, thrilling ride.
Water sports are a fun and exciting pastime, but for many people, the equipment it takes to get from the couch to the waves is too expensive and too much of a hassle. Unlike the simple act of swimming, activities like water skiing and wakeboarding require not only sporting equipment and life jackets, but also a boat to tow riders and a trailer to get that boat too and from the water.
For the thousands of adventure seekers and recreational water sports enthusiasts, options are limited to overpriced waterside rentals or even pricier boat and trailer ownership. What about those people who just want to hop in the car, head to the water, and spend the day riding the waves? Jet-powered surfboards exist, but there are no options for water skiers and wakeboarders who want to do more than what these bulky boards can allow.
Wetboard is a new option for these thrill-seeking riders.
As the smallest, lightest, highest-performing and most dynamic self-powered board to ever hit the waves, the Wetboard aspires to provide a fun, unique and exciting water sporting experience without the hassle of expensive tow boats and trailers.
With a Wetboard, thrill seekers can combine the fun of water skiing and wakeboarding; all they need is a board, the open water and a sense of adventure.
Wetboard, Inc. seeks to provide water sports participants a similar experience to water skiing and wakeboarding without the inconvenience of trailers and tow boats. Complete with a revolutionary design, an innovative propulsion system and our state-of-the-art impeller, the Wetboard should blow other motorized boards out of the water.
Here’s why:
Innovative Design
Small in size but big on power, Wetboard’s inventive patent pending design outshines the competition. Its powerful propulsion system and lightweight form enable riders to maneuver in ways that are not possible on larger jet-powered surfboards.
The Rocker Block is an optional feature designed to be squeezed between a rider’s calves to provide extra grasp of the board. We anticipate that the Rocker Block will deliver added control and maneuverability. Complete with a waterproof storage compartment and a handle to assist the rider during board transportation and trick execution, the Wetboard will be the most innovative self-powered board on the market.
Revolutionary Propulsion System
Wetboard will be powered by our patent-pending new propulsion system. To maximize efficiency, our propulsion system directs water through a configuration of ultralight, high-torque ring-shaped motors. The Wetboard propulsion system can also be housed independently and configured as a stand-alone pod to power various iterations of the Wetboard, or sold to other watercraft manufacturers. We believe there may be a significant market for this “jet pod.”
In water sports, thrust matters. That’s why Wetboard designed a proprietary Active Draw Funneling Impeller, which should more than double the water-intake volume, delivering approximately 2.25 times more thrust than traditional propeller configurations.
Founded in 2015, Wetboard, Inc. has been on a mission to create a fun and exciting water sports experience like water skiing or wakeboarding, but without the need for expensive tow boats and trailers. After two years of innovation and redesign, we are finally ready to produce the world’s first electric-powered water ski-wakeboard hybrid.
Originally a gas-powered board, the Wetboard has come a long way from its first iteration to its current clean, electric design. It is our hope that the final product will weigh as little as 30 pounds, making it the most convenient and transportable powered board available.
Now that we have completed the design for our revolutionary electric-powered board, Wetboard is ready to start production of our prototype and begin product testing. After securing initial funding, we will complete our first prototype by November 2017, and by the end of 2017, we hope to have completed beta testing and even more design improvements. Our plan is to begin production and sales of a perfected final product by April 2018.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
We have already developed important relationships with key vendors that will allow us to acquire high quality components at competitive prices, and we expect to have a Wetboard assembly and distribution facility in Washington State. We intend to sell Wetboard direct-to-customer online in the United States, and we are actively looking for foreign distribution partnering opportunities abroad.
MARKETING STRATEGY
To get the word out about Wetboard in the water sports community, our marketing strategy consists of viral videos and social networking that will launch in late 2017, following the production of our prototype board.
SHIPPING PRODUCTION
Shipment of the first production Wetboard is planned for May 2018, just in time for the summer season.
Want to learn more about Wetboard and what they have planned for the future? Make sure to request access to the Business Plan tab of the profile to find out how you can get involved!
The Wetboard, Inc. team is a group of passionate inventors, revolutionary innovators, professional business leaders and driven entrepreneurs who believe in one thing: Wetboard’s ability to change the landscape of water sports.
Chris White is Wetboard’s inventor and company president, CEO and Chairman of the Board. Chris’s prior business ventures include founding manufacturing, wholesale distribution and nanotechnology start-ups, as well as a global record label that released music by multiplatinum-selling artists. In his 20 years of experience, Chris has overseen manufacturing, distribution, financing, marketing, advertising and operations. Chris has an MFA from the University of Pennsylvania.
John Pirtle is Wetboard’s Chief Engineer. John brings a diverse leadership history, including his experience as CTO for Ecocruise Electric Transportation, manufacturer of electric vehicles, film and television special effects producer for Paramount Pictures and R&D scientist for GreenTech StarScan, where he developed an HD television system now known as Direct TV. John also served as Design Engineer for American Calcar, developing in-car navigation systems for BMW, Kia, Jaguar, Ford and Mercedes. John has successfully delivered on military contracts to Boeing, Martin Marietta and General Dynamics.
Mark Barnes is Wetboard’s Vice President of Sales. Mark’s business ventures include over 30 years of sales in manufacturing and packaging. He is currently the owner of Mobius, a 3D rapid prototyping company. An avid water sports enthusiast for over 17 years, he is a kiteboarding team rider and has most recently been involved in kite foil design and development. Mark also served as former Columbia Gorge Kiteboard Association President, promoting kiteboarding access throughout the Columbia Gorge.
Paul Swegle is Wetboard’s General Counsel. Paul is focused on using the law to create, protect and build value. He has current and prior endeavors in gig economy, e-commerce, SaaS, social media marketing, financial services, fintech, manufacturing, medical and health devices and natural resources. Paul has held positions in the past with the SEC and the Department of Justice. He has also secured financings and M&A deals totaling $11 billion.
Sam Ammar is a Technical Specialist for Wetboard, Inc. With 20 years’ experience in 3D design, Sam has exceptional drafting skills and an aptitude for engineering concepts. Sam specializes in CAD engineering design and CAD modeling for 3D printing. He is fluent in CAD programs such as SolidWorks, Rhino, ZBrush and Modo. Sam is also an avid experimental aircraft, drone and propeller design enthusiast.
Dennis Yeh is an Advisory Board member for Wetboard. Dennis received a BS degree in Aerospace Engineering from UCLA. He is currently a Spaceship Propulsion Test Engineer with Virgin Galactic/The Spaceship Company, where he is responsible for the design and manufacturing of electrical hardware and software for qualification testing of RocketMotorTwo, the largest hybrid rocket motor ever produced. His experience includes the design, analysis and manufacturing of rocket ignition and oxidizer injection systems with the UCLA Rocket Project.
Chad Douglas is an Advisory Board member for Wetboard. Chad was introduced to wakeboarding at the age of 14 and has competed at a professional level for many years. When not wakeboarding, he works as an engineering manager at the Boeing Company. Chad has a background in complex and integrated system design, aircraft certification, test operations and product development. Chad has a BS in Aeronautical Science and an MS in Technical Management from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.
Mike Chinn is an Advisory Board member for Wetboard. Mike has over 16 years of wakeboarding experience, four of which were professional. Over the course of 10 years, he rode competitively and was sponsored by Ronix Wakeboards. Mike has a vast technical knowledge of wakeboarding and the accompanying equipment. He continues to compete in local competitions and gives research and development feedback for Ronix Wakeboards. He is a graduate of the University of Washington, where he focused on Naval Architecture and Sociology.
Jon Stamm is a Director for Wetboard. Jon is the president of ModelWerks and has over 30 years of experience designing water skis and wakeboards. Jon’s company, ModelWerks, is a specialty tool and custom manufacturing house. Jon will be involved with Wetboard from concept to production, helping with prototype and production model design, designing and creating molds, tools and manufacturing processes and possibly early-stage parts manufacturing.
Steve Shamblott is a Director for Wetboard. Steve is experienced in starting and operating companies and has been involved in a multitude of mergers and acquisitions. He was the co-founder, member of the Board of Directors and Sr. VP of Corporate Development for Adayana, Inc., Founder, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of LearningByte, Inc., EVP of Sales & Marketing and EVP of International Operations for Datacard Group. Prior to that, he held VP and other management positions with Enercon Data, Data 100 and Control Data Corp. He has a BSEE degree from the University of Minnesota.