Sustainable innovation: stand-up paddle and kayak rental from a self-service station
Austria, May 2022 – Searching for somewhere to rent water sports equipment is now a thing of the past: self-service rental stations make stand-up paddling (SUP) and kayaking easy at many lakes and rivers. The station is simple to set up – customers choose their equipment themselves, pay online and take it out of the locker. After their trip, they put it back in the locker and lock it. Thanks to a solar panel on the roof, the station runs completely self-sufficiently.
Local recreation and sport in nature are more popular than ever. Yet there are still many popular places with few leisure options. The sustainable Heiuki stand-up paddle and kayak self-service station was developed as a solution.
Stand-up paddle and kayak rental all year round
At the stations, customers can rent SUPs and kayaks every day in daylight, all year round. The Heiuki station is perfect for leisure providers, restaurants and bars, hotels and campsites, and even for self-employed people. The stations are set up close to the water and are ready to use straight away, which makes renting sports equipment simple and autonomous. The station can be put into operation as soon as it has been delivered.
The advantages of Heiuki’s self-service stand-up paddle and kayak rental
The station is more than a SUP and kayak rental – it is a new way to do sport in nature. Its up to 14 lockers hold kayaks and SUP boards. Customers handle the rental simply and intuitively on their mobile phone, including payment and unlocking. Every step, from paying to collecting, is kept very simple, so anyone can easily get access to water sports equipment.
A SUP and kayak station also makes a location more attractive: it draws people who want to relax and do sport in nature. The best thing about the system is that it runs on its own thanks to the built-in solar panels. Once it is set up, no staff are needed, opening hours are longer and customers can rent equipment whenever the station is open. The stations stand under their own weight and need no foundation.
The future of the SUP station
The number of locations with a rental station has been growing since our prototype was tested. The test was completed in 2021, and in 2022 six more stations were set up in Austria, at promising locations that had already been identified.
In the near future, the SUP and kayak stations are to be extended with new equipment. Winter sports equipment, fitness equipment, bikes and Segways are planned for the coming years – there is no limit to the list.
About the Heiuki stations
Renting equipment is sensible and sustainable. Thanks to the station, everyone has easy access to water sports equipment. Local leisure options grow and the location becomes more attractive. For cooperation and financing, we rely especially on partnerships with licence partners. For operators and local investors, the station is an easy way to earn passive income and increase revenue.
About us
Heiuki grew out of boats2sail, Austria’s largest water sports provider with more than 15 locations in Austria. With the Heiuki SUP & kayak station, we offer a modern way to rent equipment for the trend sports SUP and kayaking. The start-up is led by its inventor, 20-year-old entrepreneur Felix Hiebeler.
Press enquiries:
Felix Hiebeler
felix@heiuki.com
+43 660 2269 387
