How well do you remember Sea-Doo’s 3D? For those unfamiliar, the 3D was BRP’s first entry into the standup market that also doubled as a go-kart and single-seater runabout. Based off of the brand’s smaller runabouts, the 3D featured a large platform for standup riding, a collapsible banana seat that folded out for one-up riding, and a detachable bucket seat for karting.
Unfortunately, the 3D was a failure. It didn’t particularly shine in any of the three riding positions and enthusiasts simply didn’t know what do with it. Although well-built and executed, the final result was just trying to be too many things at once. For those who think back fondly on the 3D or for those who think everything above sounds like something you’d really like, we have good news.
The BomBoard is the brainchild of inventor John West, who wanted to design a modular personal watercraft that could be disassembled and fit in a compact car before being reassembled and enjoyed by “Millennials” who otherwise cannot afford an apartment outside of their parents’ house, not to mention the large, high-prices supercharged personal watercraft inundating the market today. When the four pieces are assembled (a process taking a purported 60 seconds), the BomBoard weighs in at 150 pounds. Powered by 250cc 34hp engine, it tops out at 40 miles per hour.
Currently, the BomBoard clinched second place in the annual Whiteboard Challenge hosted by MIT Enterprise Forum of Chicago. The competition is a showdown of upstart entrepreneurs pitching business plans before a panel of judges from a variety of industries. Below the video is the original press release:
The MIT Enterprise Forum of Chicago held its annual Whiteboard Challenge competition on May 20th 2014 at the Art Deco Theater in the Civic Opera House.
The Whiteboard Challenge gives entrepreneurs 5 minutes to describe a business idea using only a marker and a whiteboard. 80 applications were narrowed down to 10 finalists from a wide variety of industries.
Anders Stubkjaer, the COO/CFO of BomBoard LCC, presented the BomBoard Kick-Ass WaterKart idea in front of a panel of judges and a packed auditorium. “We are extremely pleased with our 2nd place finish” said Anders. He went on to say: “This competition was more challenging because we were not able to show the videos of our prototype in action.” Still well over half the audience raised their hands when Anders asked if they would like to ride the BomBoard.
John Jonelis, the editor of Chicago Venture Magazine said: “Bomboard is the most significant recreational breakthrough in a decade because it represents the merger of Thrill and Athleticism with Portability and Affordability. I want one and so do most people who find out about this superb craft”
BomBoard LLC is a commercialization stage startup company, who has invented the world’s only modular, high performance jet ski that can be transported in the back of a compact car allowing millions of city dwellers to own, store and transport their own watercraft. “We were able to achieve a breakthrough $3,495 price by utilizing new materials and drastically reducing the size and weight of the product compared to traditional jet skis.” said John West, Founder and CEO of BomBoard LLC. “The patented modularity and the world’s lowest price is a true game changer” concluded John West.
The MIT Enterprise Forum of Chicago is part of the MIT Alumni Association but open to any member of the entrepreneurial community. It is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide educational programs and services that promote and strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship at the intersection of business and technology in the Chicagoland area.
“Previously we had ridden at beach on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. The first event used the success of racing committee who had secured the Australian Surf titles and wanted some freestyle for a lunch time demonstration. After asking a few mates the word spread and we had 20 people who wanted to be involved. I then suggested including a freestyle class at the end of each round of racing so we could join in for whole the day. Before I realized what was happening we had approx. 80 freestyles from throughout Australia calling for accommodation, entry fee, event schedule and details and the first Surf Slam was born. Everyone was so excited that we were forced to make it a two day event.
“We also erected on the grassed area a 90 seater grandstand for the public. This gave the public the opportunity to sit and watch the riders from and elevated platform and elevated grandstand giving them the best seat without getting their feet cold and dirty by the sand. This also had a flow on effect making the event safer as the general public were not on the beach and therefore not in the way of riders returning to the beach after their sessions.
