Hyperlite Wake Mfg.
| Company type | Privately held company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Water sports equipment manufacturing |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Founder | Herb O'Brien |
| Headquarters | Snoqualmie , United States |
Area served | Watersports industry |
| Products | Wakeboards, wakesurfs, life vests, paddleboards, accessories |
| Website | www |
Hyperlite Wake Mfg. is a privately held manufacturer established in 1991, originally based in Redmond, Washington. The company focuses on crafting water sports equipment, producing items such as wakeboards, wakesurfs, life vests, paddleboards, and related accessories. Currently headquartered in Snoqualmie, Washington, Hyperlite caters to the watersports industry with an emphasis on advancing wakeboarding technology.
History
The inaugural Hyperlite wakeboard was created in 1991 under the HO Sports umbrella, partnering with Hawaiian surfboard artisans to develop the first compression-molded wakeboard featuring neutral buoyancy. This 155cm directional board incorporated a three-fin configuration along with four circular indentations known as "phasers," designed to cushion landings. This innovation played a pivotal role in popularizing wakeboarding, which was then referred to as skiboarding or skurfing.
Following this breakthrough, other brands like Neptune and Connelly emerged within the compression-molded wakeboard segment. In 1992, riders Darin Shapiro and Eric Perez assisted in refining the Hyperlite Pro model by improving phaser placement and strengthening the rocker line.
Hyperlite's debut advertisement was published in Wakeboard Magazine in 1994, coinciding with its separation from HO Sports to become an independent entity. Two years later, in 1996, the company unveiled the industry's first twin-tip wakeboard, enabling switch riding and new trick possibilities. That same year marked the beginning of Shaun Murray’s enduring association with Hyperlite, one of the longest-standing rider-brand partnerships in the sport.
In 2006, founder Herb O'Brien exited Hyperlite to start Square One Co and its rival Ronix brand. O'Brien is also acknowledged as a founding figure of the X Games. The following year saw Hyperlite broaden its range by introducing the Byerly brand of wakeboards and wakeskates, spotlighting Scott Byerly as a dedicated athlete-endorsed series.
Team
Prominent athletes who have been part of Hyperlite’s team include:
- Rusty Malinoski
- Shaun Murray
- Trever Maur
- Noah Flegel
- JD Webb
- Jayden Webster
- Graeme Burress
- Nicolas Leduc
- Alex Aulbach
- Nick Davies
- Scott Byerly
- JB Oneill
- Cody Hesse
- Bec Gange
- Rocker Steiner
- Lewy Watt
- Raimi Rutledge
- Brady Patry
- Cobe France
- Elliot Digney
- Tina Fromling
- Josh Twelker
- Bene Tremmel
- Lisa Baloo
- Kane Ward
- Pedro Caldas
Riot
Released in 2018, the Riot stands as Hyperlite’s premier model. It boasts one of the slimmest and lightest designs available and offers two core constructions: the cost-effective Biolite 3 core found throughout the product range and the exclusive Nova core for the Riot that improves durability while cutting weight. Its sharp continuous rocker enhances wake height without sacrificing speed. The Riot serves as Noah Flegel’s signature pro board.
Blueprint
The Blueprint is Trever Maur’s signature model, offered in lengths of 143 and 147cm. Featuring a continuous rocker for maintaining speed over wakes and a dual concave base that optimizes water flow, it incorporates a central spine that absorbs impact by displacing water. The board is equipped with four .7" fins branded as Blueprint.
Source
JD Webb’s pro model, the Source, comes in sizes 139 and 143cm and utilizes a blended 3-stage rocker to maximize lift off wakes. It includes the lightweight Biolite core and is outfitted with four .8" P-Wing fins for enhanced performance.
Rusty Pro
The Rusty Malinoski signature model is available in three lengths: 140, 143, and 146 cm. It features a sharp continuous rocker that boosts speed, paired with an expansive center channel designed to enhance tracking and increase water flow velocity. This board is equipped with four beam fins.
Relapse
The Relapse incorporates a hybrid 3-stage rocker to provide extra pop, along with four integrated fins and two detachable .8" P-Wing fins. Constructed with the Biolite core to minimize swing weight, it also includes a single concave running from tip to tail.
Murray Pro
Shaun Murray's pro edition comes in sizes of 134, 139, 144, and 150 cm. It showcases a gentle three-stage rocker that delivers pop off wakes and utilizes the robust Biolite 3 core. The base is mostly flat and features a central spine that helps cushion landings by displacing water. Rolled edges between the feet reduce the chance of catching. This model includes four .8" P-Wing fins.
Notable Partners
Prominent collaborators have included:
#IRide
- IRide represents Hyperlite's social media initiative allowing users to build profiles that display their photo, hometown, favorite wakeboarder, preferred lake, and age. The campaign featured promotional stickers and was prominently showcased at Seattle's Seafair festival, where team riders performed before large crowds.