A Different Way to Stand-Up Paddleboard

Posted by Mapuana Andrade on Monday, May 21st, 2018 at 2:38pm

 

Maui locals may have noticed something new out of the water. And Island Sotheby’s International Realty agent Karla Aguera’s husband is behind it.

Alex Aguera, a former professional windsurfer, spent years tinkering with designs for hydrofoil boards for water sports ranging from windsurfing to kiting. But no one had ever figured out how to attach a stand-up paddle board, or SUP, to a hydrofoil, which would allow the large board to glide above the water.

“He just kept researching and designing and testing - and it was always something in the back of his head that he couldn't give up,” his wife, Karla, explained. 


Photo courtesy of Alex Aguera Designs

About two years ago, all the experimentation paid off - Alex came up with a design that worked. He immediately started going through a patent process, and eventually opened up a factory in China that’s barely been able to keep up with the growing demand. Now, his company, Go Foil, just keeps on growing.

“It’s a Cinderella story," said Karla, who was also a professional windsurfer. “We are only now meeting our demand over two years - every time we would increase production at the factory, and then we would get more orders.”


Photo courtesy of Alex Aguera Designs

Like traditional stand-up paddling, the hydrofoil SUP is great for both beginners and avid watersports athletes, said Karla. Since its creation a couple years ago, she’s seen everyone from 8-year-old kids at Ho’okipa to people in their 70s using the hydrofoil SUP.

“It’s super fun to see how many people it’s gotten back out on the water,” said Karla.


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