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Ready for a change?
Consider starting a
paddleboard rental business!

Here’s what it takes and how we have modernized the industry.
HOP ON BOARD WITH US!

Balance your Life

After missing too many sunsets, it’s time for a change in location and a better work-life balance. Memories of being by the water make you smile and you’re thinking that someone out there is running their business from the most beautiful place in the world.

Why shouldn’t it be you?

Curiosity is what brought you to this page but your passion for the outdoors and interest in starting a self-sustaining business will keep you reading.

Core Concept

We believe that modernization is the key to building a SUP rental business in the digital era. Self-service technology has established higher standards of service and increased operational efficiency within several industries. Although water sports rental is a lucrative and untapped market for self-service, entrepreneurs who work independently are not equipped with the resources required to modernize an entire industry. We have developed the necessary technology and are making it available to entrepreneurs, companies and small business owners alike to create the first network of premium SUP rental providers.

We took the traditional approach…

We would like to share some insight with you based on our experience in the watersports rental industry.

ABOUT OUR STORY

Let’s start by breaking down the traditional approach.

After taking the Traditional Approach, we identified which weaknesses waste time, drain revenue, limit brand exposure and make the chance for expansion less likely.

Operational Responsibilities

Staff schedule
Daily activity schedule
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Liability Waivers
Rental Reservation Platform
Point of Sale Operating System
Personal Item Storage System
Social Media and Marketing Strategy and Engagement Schedule
Map of Area approved for SUP use
Daily weather and water condition resources
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Industry Awareness
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Quality Guarantee and Rental Standards
Processing refunds and cancellations
Hiring and Training Protocol

Equipment:

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Inspect equipment for any damages
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Clean equipment
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Carry equipment to shoreside for display
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Separate equipment reserved for scheduled activities and rentals
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Prepare equipment for group rentals

Financial:

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Personal Item Storage System
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Review rental reservations to account for available "walk-in" times
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Count the register and ensure there is enough cash to make change

Customer Relations:

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Review rental reservations for the day
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Review number of activity participants
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Account for any available time in schedule for "walk-in" rentals
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Check social media and email accounts and respond to inquiries
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Post scheduled content for that day
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Confirm private lessons and reservations

Equipment:

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Check all equipment for damages upon return
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Account for ALL equipment upon return
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Ensure that equipment is available ON TIME for next use
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Replenish office & cleaning supplies as needed

Financial:

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Accurately complete payment transactions (cash payments prefered)
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Separate revenue made from scheduled activities vs rentals

Customer Relations:

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Explain terms and conditions of equipment use
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Organize staff break times to ensure someone is onsite at all times
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Return all personal items at the end of rental
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Update social media throughout the day
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Obtain signed liability waivers and keep for business records
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Give individualized instruction to each rental user
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Obtain customer's contact information and safely store their personal items
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Adjust schedule to accomodate last minute reservations
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Collect content for social media
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Impeccable & Helpful Customer Service

Equipment:

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Inspect equipment for damages
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Make sure all equipment is accounted for
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Clean equipment
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Store equipment securely
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Restock documents (Liability waiver, payment reciepts, etc.) and supplies (for cleaning and admin)

Financial:

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Collect prepayments made for next day (keep separate from End of Day Report)
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Reconcile all payments and generate End of Day Reports for both cash and CC payments
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Separate wages earned by class instructors and tour guides
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Separate amount budgeted for operating costs

Customer Relations:

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Ensure that all stored personal items have been returned
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Compile, organize and save all liability waivers aqcuired
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Clean personal item storage space
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Check social media and email accounts and respond to inquiries
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Organize content collected for social media
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Send reminders for future private lessons, group classes and reservations

… We decided to innovate the industry.

The strategy we have developed maximizes efficiency by automating numerous aspects of the SUP rental business model. By adopting these changes, business owners have a reliable method of operation that ensures profitable returns and a healthy work-life balance.

HOP ON BOARD WITH US

We have improved user experience by simplifying all business-to-customer interactions.

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Every step of service has been automated. Customers are now able to:

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Receive quick, on-demand service.
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Receive GPS directions to your station
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Make reservations
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Access instruction for use of SUP equipment
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Sign and submit liability waivers
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Collect and return SUP equipment.
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Store personal items in a secure locker during rental session
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Make automatic payments.

We have automated several business processes to save you, as a business owner, time and money

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Contactless service significantly reduced
operating costs and chance for error by
automating the following tasks:

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Managing scheduled bookings and enabling walk-in reservations
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Dispensing and recollecting SUP material as scheduled
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Provide secure storage for and on-demand access to personal items.
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Offering personalized instruction to each customer

We provide technology that manages everything from reservations to payments.

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All data collected from customer transactions is kept in one place. This information can be used to:

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Reconcile payments.
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Produce financial reports.
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Archive liability waivers.
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Save customer contacts for outreach and marketing campaigns.
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Organize budget
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Pay staff
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Obtain usage statistics that help inform business management decisions.

We are establishing a modern standard of service for SUP rentals.

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dev_focus

The shoreside rental experience is improved
exponentially by:

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Providing quick, user-friendly and contactless service.
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Establishing trust through brand recognition and strong reputation.
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Using a modernized business model which offers efficiency and accountability.

We are assembling a supportive network of entrepreneurs by connecting Suppama operators
worldwide, becoming the industry’s first premium rental brand.

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connected world

Small businesses will flourish by benefiting from:

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Brandwide marketing campaigns.
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National and international brand recognition.
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Contact with fellow entrepreneurs.
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Realistic opportunities for expansion.

Join Suppama

Joining the SUP rental industry is a fun and lucrative alternative to pursuing success within a corporate setting. The true reward lies in the nature, adventure and positive experiences that surround your business.

Partnering with Suppama will provide you with the resources you need to operate efficiently so that you can run your business without it running your life.

Suppama Automated
SUP-Station

A modern and durable storage unit designed to dispense SUP equipment. We are actively creating a global network of SUP rental stations. These stations are operated independently by entrepreneurs who benefit from being associated with the Suppama brand.

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Providing quick, user-friendly and contactless service.
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Automatic, unattended rental repository
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Compatible with Suppama App for self-service pickup, personal item storage and returns.
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Auto-recognition and verification of returned equipment
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Storage for boards converts into safe locker space for customers during rental
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Surveillance capabilities

Suppama Mobile and
Web Apps

The Suppama app has been designed to handle the tasks that traditionally hinder operational efficiency and positive user experience on a day-to-day basis. Customers will use the application to easily access your product and your business will run more smoothly overall.

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Accept & manage reservation for rentals, tours, classes & events
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Direct navigation to your station’s location
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Self-service rental process from booking to return
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Electronic access to equipment
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Report damaged or lost item
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Refund requests
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Customer service request notifications

Suppama Business backend

Joining Suppama gives you access to modern infrastructure and technology we developed to streamline the SUP rental process. With our tools at your disposal, you will be able to run your business without being at the mercy of rudimentary responsibilities.

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Software that has been engineered specifically for running a SUP rental business.
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Reconcile financial payments
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Receive automatic deposits and financial statements
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Collect liability waivers signed electronically
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Automatically operate lockers off-site
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Online booking allows operators to manage calendars, rental rates, equipment, product returns and support requests.
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Damaged locker reports
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Manage refund requests
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Generate pay-out reports
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Pay staff and collect daily deposits
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Process analytics

Suppama Branding

As Suppama grows, so will you. By joining our community your business will be involved in various social media campaigns and recognized as part of a world-renowned SUP rental provider known for excellent user experience.

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Join the world’s first branded SUP Rental Service
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Large scale promotion
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Name recognition for your growing business
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Franchise economies-of-scale
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Renter standards that promise quality service throughout all Suppama locations
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Mass marketing campaigns that bring traffic to your business’s social media
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Regular hardware and software updates on the Suppama stations and App
HOP ON BOARD WITH US!

What’s next?

Preparation (Time Estimated: 4-6 months)

1. Scout potential locations. This is a careful process as you must consider both Site Requirements and Business Requirements to ensure municipality support, structural safety, sufficient traffic, accommodating waters and memorable views.

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Suppama stations are a minimum size of 6’ 7” x 13‘ 1“ x 8’ 2”
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Installation requires a perfectly even surface but may also require a concrete foundation to bolt down the station in areas with specific weather hazards.
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110v electricity connection to power the station
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Strong 3G / 4G reception to connect the station to the Suppama network.
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16 set stations will need to be accessible from both front and back sides to access SUP equipment.
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The ground area surrounding your station should be cushioned to protect customers and prevent damage to equipment.
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Easy access to shoreline with calm, easily accessible waters.

2. Inquire about permits and insurances.

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State & Local Business Licensing Requirements
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Coastal Construction Permits
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Local Liability insurance
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Certificate of Occupancy

3. Make it Official. It can take 4-6 months to receive your Suppama equipment after your order is received. With this in mind, we advise all of our prospective partners to preorder and pay their deposit as soon as they become confident in their business plan and have initiated the collection of local permits. Handling both tasks simultaneously will ultimately expedite the process and get you closer to your ideal launch date.

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State & Local Business Licensing Requirements
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Coastal Construction Permits
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Local Liability insurance

4. Customize your business plan. Working in partnership with Suppama eliminates the need to prepare several aspects of the traditional rental business model. However, there are some fun customizations that are left to your discretion. How will you make your station work for you?

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Define your local branding strategy and establish your social media presence.
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Rental Business Structure
  • Set your rates based on information from Suppama’s Return of Investment form.
  • Ensure that Suppama’s terms and conditions are adopted within your company and meet the qualifications abide laws in your area.
  • Modify Suppama’s Insurance and Liability waiver to fit your business plan and insurance requirements.
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Incorporate instructed activities. Consider hiring instructors or leading classes yourself. This creates the opportunity for regular memberships to classes operated from your SUP station.
  • Guided tours
  • Fitness classes
  • Instructor training
  • Beginners training
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Host Events. Host fun group activities from your station that attract new customers!
  • Family fun (reunions, birthday parties, anniversaries)
  • Summer Camps
  • Corporate Team Building
  • Friendly Competitions

5. Choose your business type. Generally, you would open a For-Profit Corporation or Limited Liability Corporation (LLC)

6. Register your company

7. Open a bank account for your business

8. Set up business accounting

9. Register with your local tax collector

10. Prepare your location for installation

Activation

Month 1

Install the SUP-Station and prepare for launch

1. SUP-Station onsite assembly
2. Set up your online business portal
3. Activate SUP equipment
4. Prepare your site to accommodate customers
5. Hire SUP-instructors and staff as needed
6. Get the community fired up with regular posts
and promotions

Month 2

Open for rentals and introduce promotional event program

1. Unveil your SUP-Station to the public
2. Share your story with local media outlets
3. Schedule your first 3 events
4. Offer memberships for instructed activities

Month 3

Now that you’re established

1. Learn from customer feedback and adapt your business model to meet demand
  1. Explore opportunities for joint ventures: with local gyms, resorts, tourist bureaus, campgrounds, boat rentals, hostels, resorts, airbnb properties and events, and more!
  2. Reach out to travel bloggers and adventure enthusiasts
  3. Keep your community informed with email subscriptions
  4. Offer social media giveaways and competitions
  5. Repost customer content

Start Now

If it’s true that lucky moments come from preparation meeting opportunities, there is no reason to leave your fate as a business owner to chance. The outdoor recreation industry has recently experienced a boom in popularity- specifically paddle sports.

Now is the best time to introduce customers to a rental service that actively solves problems of accessibility. Now is the time to capitalize on the current rise in demand in your area before potential customers resort to purchasing paddle boards of their own.

HOP ON BOARD WITH US!

Why Suppama

Given that 20% of small businesses fail within the first year of operation and 50% close within five years, it’s important that you are smart in your approach. Our program eliminates the weakest elements of the traditional rental business so you can build your business with peace of mind. Partnering with Suppama gives you the opportunity to join the first network of SUP rental providers and enter the industry with precision and accuracy.

The beauty of Suppama is in the strength of our network. Your business will get the exposure it needs to elevate it from traditional rental to modern service. We are ready to provide you with a rental station, marketing power and innovative technology that strengthens the integrity of your business. After installation, you will watch your station become a staple that brings fun into your community.

ABOUT OUR STORY

Covid-19

The pandemic has made everyone, especially business owners, increasingly cautious. Fortunately, SUP is a fun, pandemic-safe activity! Suppama SUP stations provide safe and contactless transactions that make it easy to follow COVID-19 safety protocols such as social distancing and self sanitization. Our brand promises to protect station operators and customers by fully automating the most vulnerable steps of service:
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Rental & return processes
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Rental bookings and payments via our online business portal
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Self-service storage check-in & check-out
In addition, due to pandemic-related lockdowns, millions of people discovered SUP as a healthy family activity. The proof is there! Water Sport searches on google increased 70-100% in the 2nd quarter of 2020, ultimately driving up the rental and sales value of SUP in just one year.

FAQs

Where is the ideal location for a Suppama SUP Station?
Firstly, the more foot traffic in the area the better! Your station will generate a lot of curiosity but having it conveniently located near the water at a point of easy access is a must. It is also important that your site has access to electricity capable of powering your station. Lastly, consider that customers will need to access the Suppama app so your station should be in an area that receives cellular service.
What equipment is included in the SUP station lockers?
Lockers are equipped with premium class sets of 8 or 16 paddleboards, paddles and PFDs (personal floating devices).
Are Suppama paddleboards different from regular SUPs?
Suppama SUP boards are built to prioritize user safety, durability and branding. The boards are comparable to the highest quality found in the SUP market. However, Suppama boards and accessories are equipped with electronic chips that work seamlessly with the Suppama App and Online Business Portal. Auto-recognition keeps equipment safe and allows for reliable contactless service from your SUP station by preventing theft and actively tracking the success of your business.
Are there more design options available?
Yes! We offer a variety of design features that can enhance your station. However, customizations are not a priority until after permits and insurances have been obtained. Designs features are presented once we have an understanding of what is possible in your specific location.
How often do I need to replace my Suppama SUP equipment?
We suggest that boards, paddles and personal floatation devices (PFDs) are replaced every other season or every season depending on their condition. Doing so keeps your customers safe and establishes your business as high quality and reliable. On the upside, equipment will have a higher value on the second hand market when you replace them more frequently.
How do I stay informed about the condition of my SUP equipment if stations are automated for self-service?
Delivering on the Suppama rental standard promise is essential to owning your self service business. We suggest regular service checks to ensure that your equipment stays in optimal condition. During hours of operation, our partners will be alerted to any damage reported by users on the Suppama app via the online business platform. An accurate overview of all incidents is provided and progress reports can be updated there. Service checks can be conveniently scheduled to coincide with regular classes, tours and events at your station. This way, SUP instructors who are already onsite can check the equipment and notify you of any issues right away.
Should I host events with my SUP-Station?
Yes, absolutely! Events are the best possible way to promote your SUP station and increase rental usage! Events introduce first time users to fun SUP activities and inspire them to return with family and friends. Hosting events and guided tours also generate more income than standard rental rates. You can lead events yourself or hire a SUP-Instructor. Lastly, hosting events regularly presents the opportunity to create the ideal schedule for conducting routine service checks on equipment. This schedule enables you to satisfy your quality guarantee without making unnecessary trips to your station.
Who is responsible for customer service? Owner/operator or Suppama?
Suppama supports our members and they in turn support their customers. Every station owner is responsible for their location’s customer service protocols based on their unique business model. Since the rental service is automated, the majority of customer service interactions can be handled remotely using the Suppama app. Suppama does however offer regular technical updates that ultimately improve your customer’s experience.
Who uses Suppama SUP stations?
This depends on the location. The average user rents 6.3 times a year and averages 3.9 hours on the water which equates to 4.9 million rentals in 2020 or 13,500 rentals every day. No matter where you are, it is important to have strong local promotion strategies to attract both locals and tourists. We also strongly advise that you offer regularly scheduled classes, tours and events to encourage repeat business.
What is the market opportunity?
Despite decreased accessibility due to high cost equipment, the paddle sport market is currently a $22 billion market. Although SUP is widely loved -buying, owning and transporting your own board is expensive and labor intensive- making rental services the ideal option for enthusiasts. In addition, rentals are ideal for the travel market which increases revenue during high seasons of tourism with hourly rates reaching over $60 per hour in some cases.
Why is now the best time?
Paddle sports are becoming more popular as they offer fun, COVID safe activities in a wide variety of waters. This is the best time to start a rental service that meets the increasing demand for SUP. By leveraging the latest technology popularized with bike and scooter share, we are meeting popular demands by providing modern and safe self-service that customers are already familiar with.
HOP ON BOARD WITH US!