The boards recalled are the Body Glove Tandem Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board, ULI Inventor Inflatable Paddle Board, ULI Zettian Inflatable Supyak and ULI Lila Inflatable Supyak. Image: Surf 9
According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, Surf 9 has recalled a handful of inflatable paddle boards because they “pose a drowning hazard.” Surf 9’s portfolio of brands includes Body Glove, Nautica, Airwalk, Eddie Bauer, Spyder, Denali, and Havasu Watersports.
The inflatables affected by the recall are the Body Glove Tandem Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board, the ULI Inventor Inflatable Paddle Board, the ULI Zettian Inflatable Supyak, and the ULI Lila Inflatable Supyak (note that Surf 9 distributes ULI). All the boards are sold exclusively at Costco. About 13,300 have been sold in the U.S., while another 7,000 of the Body Glove Boards were purchased in Canada.
Inflatable paddle boards have enjoyed a surge in purchases over the last few years. Paddling is a great workout, doesn’t require waves, is relatively beginner friendly, and an inflatable board makes storage a non-issue. They’re also usually a little more affordable.
There haven’t been any reports of drownings and Surf 9 has only reported three Body Glove boards deflating, but the recall was issued because “the glue on the inflatable paddle boards can separate at the seams and the paddle boards can deflate unexpectedly, posing a drowning hazard.”
The boards were sold at Costco stores around the nation, as well as online. The Body Glove boards were $630, while the ULI branded boards ran between $700 and $800.
If you happened to buy one of these (hopefully not as a Christmas present), the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission is advising you stop using it immediately and take it back to Costco for a refund or contact Surf 9 to figure out how to get your money back.
