C4 Waterman, a Hawaii-based action watersports sports company has formally partnered with Honolulu inventor Dr. Robert  N. Yonover, who owns the registered patent for inflatable surfboards, paddleboards and rescue equipment initially developed for the U.S. Military.


Yonover joins C4 Waterman to expand upon its pioneering line of inflatable stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), surfboards, rescue boards and other inflatable equipment.

“Together, we have developed an innovative line of structurally advanced equipment that will change the waterman's lineup,” said Todd Bradley, C4 Waterman co-founder and CEO. “From state-of-the-art rescue equipment to surfboards and paddleboards, the inflatable technology opens a new book on the waterman's lifestyle worldwide. Safety, storage, transportation, fun and functionality will take on a whole new level of meaning.”
 
C4's inflatable product line of full length, full strength 8'1″-12'6″ stand-up paddleboards, mid-size surfboards, rescue boards, tubes, and floating stage mats of up to 100 square feet can each be deflated, rolled up, transported and stored in a duffle bag or box. This means no more airline surfboard fees and no need for roof racks or a truck bed. Having a board in an apartment or on a city bus is now a reality. In addition to their convenience, inflatable boards are also less dangerous when colliding with people, property, reefs and rocky shorelines as compared with conventional, heavily weighted fiberglass boards. C4's inflatable products have become increasingly popular for ocean access, as well as lake and river adventures.
 
“Given the compact nature of stowed inflatables, combined with their light weight and rigid durability upon inflation, there is an almost unlimited future for all three sectors: paddleboards, surfboards and rescue equipment,” says Dr. Yonover.
 
“C4 Waterman was a natural fit for the inflatable board technology because they have the Hawaiian paddle/surf/rescue lineage. They make the highest quality products and they are extremely innovative,” Dr. Yonover adds. “It made perfect sense to keep the roots of the inflatable board technology here, in Hawaii. C4 is the perfect platform and Hawaii is the perfect launch point for sharing this technology with the rest of the world.”


Dr. Robert N. Yonover received his Ph.D. in Geochemistry/Volcanology from the University of Hawaii with a Research Fellowship at NASA – Johnson Space Center and laboratory work at MIT. He invented the RescueStreamer survival technology; LIFE/FLOAT Rescue Board (Inflatable Rescue/Surf/Paddle Boards); Pocket Floatation Device; Pocket DeSalinator; and the Video Search and Rescue (vSAR) technology. The RescueStreamer technology is now in use by all branches of the U.S. military, including all U.S. Navy Submarines and self-deploying Day/Night versions for U.S. Air Force fighter jets. RescueStreamers are credited with four lives saved to date. Dr. Yonover's new book is entitled 'Hardcore Inventing'. He has appeared on CNN, PBS and Discovery Channel.