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Tec Air at Red Paddle Co
Tec Air is not a product, it’s a process. We looked at how we built boards, and by focusing in on the key areas of the production process, we have been able to refine each process to make the very best boards. All Red Paddle Co boards are built using our Tec Air specification to ensure the best possible build quality. Our strength comes from the inside.
It starts with material.
We use only the highest quality drop stitch. Drop stitch is the name given to the material inside an inflatable board. Red Paddle Co boards are built using specially produced, high density drop stitch that makes for a stronger and stiffer core. Take a look on the outside of a Red Paddle Co board you will see thousands of dimples spread from nose to tail and rail to rail. Each dimple represents an internal thread. We do not use Linear drop stitch which is a mass produced, cheap material that cannot hold high pressure. Linear boards can be identified by the straight lines of dimples on the board. For an idea of the differences check out this video.
The rail truth.
All Red Paddle Co boards are actually 2 boards in one. We build a complete board and then laminate an outer/ double layer on to create an almost bullet proof outer shell.We then attach the deck pad and fins to the outer layer.
The rail can be the weakest point on an inflatable board. It is where all layers meet and it’s where air pressure loading is at it’s highest.
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Red Paddle Co boards have 4 layers of taping on the rails making them the strongest boards available. Most other boards are just 1 layer thick. Our 4 layer rail almost completely removes the risk of puncture or material failure, allowing you to use the board with total confidence. You could completely remove the outer rail tapes and the board would be useable. Other boards would deflate immediately if you removed or made a rip in the rail tapes.
Rocket fast rockers.
We build rocker into our boards using a Progressive Pressure Laminating Process. We lay the board on a specially built surface. As the top layer is laminated on to the board we push high pressure rollers over the board which fixes the rocker. The board is then left to set allowing us to create a progressive rocker profile that is ideally matched to the boards shape and the inflatable construction. All other boards on the market have up turned noses and tail which are not functional or effective in promoting glide, control and authentic feel.
Our Rockers are built to allow the board to perform.This is why you will find boards like the 12’6” Race out perform all other inflatable boards of the same size and are faster and more efficient than many hard boards.
Our patented RSS (Rocker Stiffening System) is another way we control the rocker of the boards. You can learn more about the RSS system here.
About the author: Julian Kidd