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PWC – Aqua Xtremes Ramps Up XBoard

Aqua Xtremes Inc., a subsidiary of Nova Communications Ltd., says it plans to enter full production and begin distribution of its XBoard, a jet-powered stand-up personal watercraft the company launched to the public during a six-week tour of five major boat shows.
“We are now in the final stages of securing our first round of funding which will allow us to complete the initial production and distribution of the XBoard,” said Art Robins, CEO of Aqua Extremes and Nova. “We expect that our distributors will receive the first shipment of the XBoard this April.”
Robins joined Aqua Xtremes as CEO in November 2004.
The XBoard is best described as a 90-inch-long motorized surfboard powered by a 400cc EPA conforming rotary engine delivering 39.5hp and a maximum speed of 45mph.
Aqua Xtremes is currently recruiting distributors and dealers. CyberAds, through their sales division CyberNetworks, acquired the exclusive rights for sales, marketing and distribution of XBoard in North America. The company is developing a two tiered distribution network that includes distributors who have exclusive territories in which they develop retail and rental dealers.
CyberAds also covers all aspects of marketing, including brand design, sales collateral, trade show management, advertising, and Web site design.
The CyberAds team includes Walt Tatum, CEO/President; John Rockett, VP Sales/Western US; James Scott, VP Sales/Eastern US; John Allen, VP Sales/Western US; Matthew Tatum, Consumer Sales; Patrick Stimpson, Executive Vice President/Marketing; and Jeff Criswell, Management Consultant.
“With the North American distribution rights on XBoard, we needed a firm that was adept in launching a marketing program across multiple countries while creating brand affinity to the extreme sports enthusiasts of the X and Y generations,” said Walt Tatum, CEO of CyberAds.
“We believe that XBoard will change water sports as the snowboard has changed skiing,” said Patrick Stimpson. “This product will rejuvenate the personal watercraft industry, and the first phase of our program will be to introduce XBoard to the industry as CyberAds establishes a national distributor and dealer network.”
As of April 1, 42 territories have been secured with distribution. Stimpson says he expects the distribution network will be completed within the next 90 days.
One of the latest was added in March, when a distribution agreement was finalized with DeckJet Watercraft of Elkhorn, Wisc. Under the agreement, DeckJet, owned by John Kuban, will develop a dealer network and distribute XBoard for sale and rental throughout Wisconsin and the upper lakes area of Illinois.
“The rotary engine that powers the XBoard delivers more power per square pound than anything else on the water,” Kuban said.
Other assigned territories include Tampa Bay, North Carolina, South Carolina, the New Jersey coast line, Kansas City, Hawaii and San Bernardino County, Calif. Stimpson says new distributors will be announced as contracts are signed over the next few months.

— Guido Ebert

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