Pneumatics expert teams up with outdoor activity specialist
PCL’s recently launched SUP Inflation Station is set to make even bigger waves in the world of watersports with the help of new distributor SUP-air Cymru.
Part of the pneumatic expert’s Free Spirit Leisure Range, this high performance, easy-to-use, weather-proof solution is designed to get paddleboarders swiftly and safely out on the water.
Available as a free vend station, or with contactless card payment facilities for revenue generation, PCL’s innovative new unit is ideal for water sport centres, local authorities, landowners and facilities managers to install at SUP launch locations.
Inflatable SUP boards are increasingly popular as a lightweight, easy-storage option, especially for families using two or three between them. PCL’s unit is capable of inflating a standard, 3-metre-long paddleboard to 15 psi in under 5 minutes, making it the perfect solution to taking the strain out of inflation.
Already installed at multiple locations across the UK, with venues including the private Outdoor Education Centre, Gwersyll Glan-Llyn in Wales and Blackpool Sands in Devon, excellent feedback has led to PCL signing up North Wales-based SUP-Air Cymru Ltd to take the paddleboard pumping station even further afield.
The path ahead looks promising for Arwel Phillips, owner of the company and a seasoned outdoor adventure expert. With over 25 years of experience in outdoor activities and education, Arwel also manages his own venture, Antur Ruthin. He has led countless thrilling canoeing and kayaking expeditions in Wales and worldwide, empowering participants to develop technical, interpersonal, and cultural skills along the way.
His experience in paddleboarding, one of the fastest growing water sports in the UK and worldwide, makes him well-equipped to guide buyers through the purchase and installation of PCL’s SUP Inflation Station.
Arwel, as one of its first purchasers, received funding from the UK Government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Cadwyn Clwyd, to install a unit at Alderford Lake. Further funding has been earmarked for the installation of units at waterside locations, including Llyn Tegid, TNR Coaching in Llangollen and Llyn Padarn in Llanberis.
The first SUP Inflation Station installed at Alderford Lake
Arwel has been so impressed with both the SUP Inflation Station and the service from PCL, he is delighted to become a distributor.
Arwel said: “PCL’s unit is an incredibly easy-to-use inflation solution, which is guaranteed to be of huge benefit to any venue where it is safe to paddleboard. It’s pretty much a game changer if you’re a family with multiple boards, it’s just so easy to use.
“It inflates a basic board to the exact pressure it needs to be within minutes. There are safety instructions on the machine and a QR code to scan for more information, including safety advice about paddleboarding. This all helps people to make the right decision about getting out on the water.”
Safety is of paramount important to Arwel, who is well-qualified to assess the suitability of waterside locations for paddleboarding before agreeing to supply a unit. “I’ve been guiding folk on rivers for the last 25 years,” he confirmed. “So I know what venues are suitable and not suitable, particularly in the UK. For any body of water I’m not familiar with, I look for local knowledge and take advice.”
Other than that, Arwel aims to take the SUP Inflation Station “anywhere and everywhere.” He said: “Pumping up the board is the most hated part of paddleboarding. Some look at it as a warm up but others want to just enjoy themselves and get out on the water and have some fun, and if I can help people to do that effortlessly I will. “Since Covid, there has been a massive increase in paddleboard users, and with inflatable boards you don’t need a roof rack, just a bag - the only downside is not having a pump. Using a foot pump is a lot of hard work, especially if you’ve got three or four boards, and electric ones that plug into the car are noisy and can overheat.
“The SUP inflation station is inexpensive, convenient, safe and easy to use. So if you’re a business or landowner with a body of water, it’s an easy way to earn additional revenue for your location because it’s definitely going to attract users.”
Interested parties can choose a partnership option, whereby Arwel installs one of his own units and looks after its maintenance. Or they can buy their own unit outright and set up their own vending service.
In addition to Arwel’s expertise, his customers will benefit from the knowledge and support he is able to access through PCL. He said: “PCL and their Business Development Manager, Claire Tonks, are absolutely great to work with. The fact that they actually built such a unit is amazing, but the turnaround from the idea to putting things together and getting it all set up and ready to go is quite spectacular.
“Any time I’ve had an issue, or haven’t been sure about something, I can just give the team a ring or send them an email and they get back to me within hours, sometimes even minutes, with an answer or solution to move forward. I’m very excited about the partnership and the potential for expansion.”
Welcoming Arwel as a valued PCL distributor, Claire Tonks said: “We are extremely pleased to team up with Arwel and SUP-air Cymru. His extensive knowledge of watersports makes him the ideal partner to supply the SUP Inflation Station and customers will undoubtedly benefit from his enormous wealth of experience in outdoor activity. For anyone looking to enhance their outdoor offering, we would highly recommend his services.”
