Ljubljana, 14 October (STA) - SipaBoards, a Slovenian maker of electric-powered stand-up paddle boards, has partnered with German automotive giant BMW in developing a new generation of self-inflating SUPs with a more advanced jet engine and longer autonomy.
The new BMW x SipaBoards Electric SUP, designed by BMW Group Designworks, has a silent 300-watt electric jet engine that propels the SUP to speeds of up to 4 knots or 7.5 km/h.
It connects to a mobile app that allows the users to plan their route, monitor the battery life and use phone GPS tracking.
When the paddle drops into the water, the jet engine automatically stops.
"We've elevated the idea of safety on water to a new level," said the company's founder and CEO Sebastjan Sitar.
This is the first time BMW has offered an electrically powered product designed for water sports, which "opens up a new chapter in riding pleasure in the process," BMW said in a press release.
SipaBoards got its start in 2015, when it launched on Kickstarter as the world's first self-inflating jet propelled SUP.
