Inflatable SUPs hit 9+ km/h average speed: Light Board Corp introduces the all-new Woven X Platin ISUP race board series

Stats – especially when it comes to speed – have a way of firing up the SUP community. And Light Board Corp is right at the centre of that conversation.

The makers behind the PARADOXA race board, organisers of the SUP Alps Trophy series, and one of the calendar’s most talked-about events, the Lake Rocks Festival, the so-called “Light Riders” are known for pushing performance – whether on hard boards or inflatables. With multiple world titles to their name, including Normen Weber’s ICF Vice World Champion finish in 2025 on a Light Board Corp iSUP, their credentials speak for themselves.

So, we’re taking a closer look at that very inflatable race board – dropping this month all-new, lightweight all-new Woven X Platin inflatable race board series 

We caught up with Gerd Weisner – lifelong watersports professional, co-founder of Light Board Corp, and Managing Director of the Lake Rocks Festival — to get more details on the latest edition which will be available for demo at the Festival on 14-17 May.

Photo by Andy Klotz

Coming from the makers of the hyper beast PARADOXA, how does the Woven X Platin Series push the limits of what an iSUP can do in racing conditions?

When it comes to serious racing, it’s all about speed and acceleration. Following the huge success of the PARADOXA model, we have been sourcing a special dropstitch material that is lighter, stiffer, and more durable to develop the next generation of iSUP raceboards.

The all-new WOVEN X Platin series is built with a new X-Woven Tex dropstitch, which is leading the market in low weight and ultimate stiffness. To further increase rigidity, we have integrated multiple PVC carbon stringers in the side rails and centre.

The deck pad offers both grip and comfort, featuring a crocodile embossing, along with tail and centre sidekick details. The centre sidekicks create improved stability, allowing riders to handle narrower board outlines with confidence. In iSUP design, wetted surface creates the most drag – and during development, we found that narrow pintails deliver the highest speed.

We offer this model in multiple dimensions: 14’ x 24”, 14’ x 25”, 14’ x 26.5”, and 14’ x 28.5”, to suit different paddler weights, sizes, and water conditions.

With the new Woven X Platin Series Race iSUP, are we finally at a point where inflatable boards can get closer to hardboard performance?

This board has proven to be competitive even in hardboard races. I remember Normen Weber winning the SUP Alps Trophy Graz Riverdays Tech Race against strong competitors from Austria, Slovenia, and Italy.

When you put the world’s best athletes on this board, the average speed difference between our PARADOXA and this ISUP model is about 0.5 km/h. I believe this is the best an inflatable board can do.

You’ve stated that average speeds of 9+ km/h are no longer limited to hardboards – what makes this board capable of delivering that level of performance?

As mentioned above, the three most important features are: reduced wetted surface, a stiffer, less flexible construction, and a lighter overall build –  all of which allow top elite paddlers to reach speeds of up to 10 km/h. I also raced the 26.5” model myself, with a best average speed of 9.4 km/h.

Photo by Andy Klotz

With Normen Weber winning the ICF Vice World Championship on your board, is this a turning point for how seriously inflatable race boards should be taken?

The ICF iSUP World Championship is the centre stage of iSUP racing, with some competitors fully focused on this discipline. Imagine that Normen Weber still took the Vice Champion title, even though he had started just two hours earlier in the Pro Long Distance race in the demanding heat of Abu Dhabi. It would have been a very tight battle for the championship title had he been fresh on the start line.

There are also multiple legendary iSUP races within the SUP Alps Trophy series, including:

• SUP Alps Trophy The Lake Rocks River X-Cross Tech Race
• SUP Alps Trophy Graz Riverdays Funrace
• SUP Alps Trophy Legend of Ox Funrace
• SUP Alps Trophy Adria Cup / Koper – Capodistria Funrace

Normen won all of these races in 2025 using the Woven X Platin Series in 24” and 25” in open ocean conditions.

How forgiving is the board for paddlers learning technique or experimenting with higher speeds?

After a short while, you get used to the narrower width of our race board outlines. The advantage is that your paddle technique improves, as the stroke becomes more efficient. For example, it is very difficult to maintain a vertical shaft position in your stroke on boards that are 30” wide. Given the variety we offer, you can find narrower boards that suit both your skill level and water conditions.

The narrow tail also provides a pivot turning advantage, as ISUP volume is typically quite high.

Do you see this board helping casual paddlers transition toward racing or more performance-oriented SUP experiences?

The 28.5” model is the best race tourer I can imagine. You can paddle in ocean conditions with a very stable and fast board, while also enjoying flatwater touring. The higher speed potential and effortless glide create the sensation of being able to cover longer distances without fatigue. The more you paddle, the better you get, and stepping into a fun race can be the next natural progression.

Will the Woven X Platin Series iSUP be available on demo at Lake Rocks Festival?

Yes, for sure – we will have all dimensions available to test at The Lake Rocks, and a limited number will also be available for racing in the River Drau X-Cross Tech Race.

Normen Weber | Photo by Andy Klotz

To find out more about LIGHTBOARDCORP® designs, visit lightboardcorp.com 

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Follow Gerd Weisner on Instagram 

Check out the SUP Alps Trophy calendar here and REGISTER for the Lake Rocks Festival