Last week, the San Diego technology community gathered to celebrate what is known as its biggest event of the year – CONNECT’s Most Innovative New Product (MIP) Awards. Drawing more than 800 people in attendance, the event showcased some of the most cutting-edge technology being commercialized in America’s Finest City. Hundreds of companies submitted entries and vied for one of the 24 available finalist spots within the eight categories, going head-to-head against some of the biggest names in the technology industry.
This year, one of SDSI’s members, Hydroflex Technology, was selected as one of three finalists in the Action and Sports Technologies category and took home the category win for developing the Hydroflex Supercharger, a stringerless EPS blank that surfers can pump with air and control the flex. In addition, it also prevents the blank from heavy denting. The company’s technology is based on three interdependent patents that include:
• 3-dimensional lamination based on vacuum infusion that creates a 3-dimensional bond to the inner core with tens of thousands of fiberglass roots inhibiting delamination.
• Technology that makes a stringer-less design possible while the homogenous, symmetrical glassing structure enables revolutionary flex characteristics without material fatigue and delivers outstanding durability and performance.
• Adjustable core air pressure that results in highly variable flex patterns for different surf conditions/riders and helps prevent water uptake, dings and dents without the rigidity of the conventional sandwich design. Pressurization is achieved by a built-in valve and a hand operated pump.
Launched in Germany in 1998, Hydroflex brought its U.S. Operations to Oceanside, Calif. in 2009 to provide the local surf market with their technology and establish business relationships with Southern California’s surf production community.
“Oceanside is a great location and a good place to R&D boards with team riders. It’s also close to Matt Biolos at Lost Surfboards. He’s one of many shapers we work with and his team riders include Chris Ward, Kolohe Andino, Mason Ho, Andrew Doheny and many others,” said Ed Santos, Director of Sales and Marketing at Hydroflex.
In addition to this achievement, the company has been awarded the ISPO BrandNew Award and the IF Design Award Technology and Design.
“Being involved in SDSI has been a rewarding experience. We’ve received a lot of support from previous MIP winners and it’s a major accomplishment to be recognized with other prominent brands in our category such as KVA Stainless and TaylorMade Golf,” said Santo.
So what’s next for Hydroflex? According to the company, they’re currently working on a newer model called The Natural that will utilize the same Hydroflex 3D glassing, but will be on a regular blank. It will be the more affordable sports car in their family.
SDSI congratulates Hydroflex Technologies for their innovation and accomplishments!
Contact Lisa Freedman at lfreedman@connect.org or Renne Catalano at rcatalano@connect.org, to learn how SDSI may be able to assist your sports business.
