Interview: Sebastjan Sitar, Founder of SipaBoards with Ivo Boscarol, Investor & Co-Owner.

In just a decade, SipaBoards has rocketed from a bold family startup to a globally recognized innovator in electric paddleboarding. With groundbreaking technology, a pioneering spirit, and a loyal community behind it, the company has redefined how people move on water. In this conversation, we sit down with founder Sebastjan Sitar to reflect on the journey so far—and to look ahead. He’s joined by visionary entrepreneur, investor, and co-owner Ivo Boscarol, who shares his perspective on the future of water mobility and innovation at scale.

To start things off, what is SipaBoards? Can you give us a quick backstory on how it all began?
Sebastjan Sitar: SipaBoards is the world’s first electric, self-inflating stand-up paddleboard—born out of a paddling experience gone wrong and built with a mission to make paddling easier, safer, and more accessible. We launched the idea in 2015, as a family of outdoor enthusiasts who were frustrated by how difficult it was to paddle against the wind or current, and how cumbersome traditional boards were to carry and inflate. However, what started as a passion project quickly evolved into a pioneering company, combining our proud Slovenian innovation with global ambition.

What inspired the idea of an electric stand-up paddleboard?
SS: It was a mix of personal frustration and creative engineering. I remember struggling with my wife and daughters on the boards—fighting the wind, exhausted. That’s when it hit me: if e-bikes can help people ride farther, why not create something similar for water? The concept grew from that moment. We didn’t want to replace paddling, just enhance it—give people confidence to explore further, stay out longer, and enjoy the ride.

You launched the product back in the mid-2010s – what were some of the biggest hurdles you faced early on? Was the concept of an e-SUP immediately understood, or did it take time for people to get it?
SS: It definitely took time. Back then, people were skeptical—”Why would you need a motor on a paddleboard?” But we kept at it, educating the market, showing how the motor isn’t a gimmick—it’s a tool. From technical challenges—like waterproofing electronics and optimizing motor placement—to convincing investors and first-time users, every step was a first. But we had belief—and a strong family team around us. That kept us going.

What do you believe sets SipaBoards apart from other stand-up paddleboards on the market—electric or otherwise?
SS: Above all, it’s the team and the technical expertise. SipaBoards are not just toys with a battery—they’re engineered solutions, born from a real need, and perfected over years. Each board features a built-in electric motor that offers speeds of up to 7 km/h, a fully integrated compressor that inflates the board in around 5 minutes, and a powerful LED safety light for visibility in low light conditions. Even more impressively, everything is controlled wirelessly via the paddle—allowing the rider to manage speed and direction intuitively.We are financially strong and integrate aviation-grade expertise into our electric propulsion systems—knowledge developed over 30 years at Pipistrel by Ivo Boscarol, a pioneer of electric aviation. From the outset, he has been both a mentor and a passionate supporter of our mission. After certifying the world’s first electric aircraft for commercial passenger transport and selling the majority stake in Pipistrel, he joined our team. With his expertise, experience, and capital, he has given us a decisive edge over the competition. We believe that, much like Pipistrel, SipaBoards has the potential to grow from a family-run business into a multi-hundred-million-dollar global company within just a few years. I’m proud to say that we have Ivo here with the team—not only as a visionary, but also as an investor and co-owner of SipaBoards. And with that, I’ll let him answer this question himself.

Ivo Boscarol: Just like in aviation, my motto for paddleboards remains the same: “Anyone can be second, but there’s only one first.” That’s why SipaBoards deliberately and uncompromisingly produces only technically advanced SUP boards. Our commitment to innovation, quality, and safety is evident from the very first glance. And the deeper you dive into the technology, the clearer it becomes why these boards lead in range, speed, autonomy, and ease of use. Nothing else comes close. This is also thanks to Sebastjan, who has built a strong team at SipaBoards around traditional values—respect for employees, loyalty, responsibility, honesty, and solidarity. These qualities may be rare in today’s industry, but they are essential for long-term success.

Some people might initially dismiss e-SUPs as unnecessary, but when you consider the popularity of e-bikes, it actually makes a lot of sense. Was that part of your thinking—offering assistance rather than replacing the experience?SS: Absolutely. We’ve never seen ourselves as trying to replace anything. This is still paddleboarding—it’s just better. You still paddle, still balance, still explore. But when you need help—wind picks up, your kid is on board, or you want to reach a hidden cove—the motor’s there for you. We’re building confidence and access, not shortcuts.

Who are your main users? Is it just tech-savvy adventurers, or are you seeing interest from older paddlers, adaptive athletes, or people who just want a more relaxed experience on the water?
SS: That’s the beauty of it—our users are incredibly diverse. Rentals are clearly an important use case. We have adventurers and yacht owners, but also families, seniors, and adaptive paddlers. We’ve seen people with limited mobility use SipaBoards to get back on the water. That’s deeply meaningful. We like to say: if you love the water, SipaBoards are for you.

You just mentioned rentals—why is this such an important segment for SipaBoards, and what makes your product especially suited for rental operators?
SS: Rentals are one of our fastest-growing segments—and with good reason. With SipaBoards, rental operators can extend their daily rental window significantly. The motor assistance allows even inexperienced paddlers to go farther and stay out longer, which means higher satisfaction and more return customers. But we’ve gone even further to tailor our technology specifically to the needs of rental businesses.
We’ve equipped our boards with integrated GPS tracking, onboard software, and remote diagnostics. This means rental stations can monitor usage in real-time, track each board’s location, and access detailed data on ride time, battery levels, and motor usage. It also helps prevent loss or theft—boards can be disabled remotely if needed. For operators, that translates into more control, better customer safety, easier fleet management, and ultimately, higher profitability. It’s plug-and-play innovation, built for business.

Are there different motor or power configurations available depending on user needs—like for touring versus casual paddling?
SS: We’ve developed a range of models tailored to everyone from first-time paddlers to experienced explorers. The motor output can be consistent across models, but each board differs in shape, energy efficiency, and handling. Neo has been designed for easy cruising, Allrounder for balanced performance, Tourer for longer and faster rides, and our newest, Alpha One Electric—our most versatile allrounder yet is the one that combines stability, power, and compact design for everyone from first-time paddlers to experienced explorers—all at an accessible price point. And of course, we keep refining the technology—our latest propeller is the most efficient we’ve ever made.

SipaBoards are often seen on yachts, but it’s clearly more than just a luxury accessory. How do you see your product being used in everyday life or by more casual paddlers?
SS: Yachts are just one part of our story. We also work with rental stations, resorts, and outdoor schools—anywhere people want to get on the water with ease. We have developed an ecosystem of tools and gear for professional fleet operators. From charging stations, to rental software. Like with the boards, we try to create an experience for business partners, too. In everyday life, it’s like having an e-bike: no need to be an athlete. You want to decompress after work, paddle with your dog, go further with less worry—SipaBoards electric SUPs make that possible.

Are there any plans to expand into other watercraft categories—like electric kayaks or even surfboards?
IB: Today, entrepreneurship in a globally competitive environment is much like being at war—if you stop, you’re finished. That’s why, alongside growing our sales, we are significantly expanding our R&D department. We’re developing specialized boards and tailored solutions for demanding customers, exploring new use cases and purposes that, until recently, paddleboards weren’t even imagined for.
We’re always thinking one step ahead. The technology we’ve developed—and continue to refine—with our exceptionally talented and dedicated team at SipaBoards has potential far beyond SUPs, and we’re actively expanding into new domains.
At the same time, we remain true to our vision: every new product must align with our mission—clean, smart, and simple—and contribute to building a sustainable future on water. The electrification of SUPs is just the beginning of our story, and everything you’ve mentioned is already on the drawing boards of our development engineers.

Note: this is a modified version of an interview originally published at The Paddle Sports Show:
https://www.thepaddlesportshow.com/interview-sebastjan-sitar-founder-of-sipaboards-with-ivo-boscarol/