AK

AK Durable Supply Co.

AK Durable Supply Co. is a South African manufacturer specializing in high-quality water sports accessories. The company offers a wide range of products for various water sports, including:

• Surf: fins, traction pads, lines and bags.
• Foil: foilboards, hydrofoils, components, footstraps, safety equipment and bags.
• Kitesurfing: Harnesses, spreader bars, bindings, accessories, safety equipment and bags.
• Windsurfing: Harnesses, spreader bars, footstraps and safety equipment.

Origin and creation of the brand

The first products were developed in 2018 by Clinton Filen, Graham Wiles and others, along with some additions in recent years, such as Craig Tompkins.

In 2019, South African surfer Dale Staples, Canadian kiteboarding champion Jack Reider and Spanish champion Kiko Roig Torres formed the core of the first team riders. Since then, AK has built a close-knit collective of water sports athletes who have all helped to advance the brand.

The team at AK Durable Supply Co. includes experienced water sports enthusiasts such as Alex Pastor, Flo Jung and Ramiro Gallart, who contribute their expertise to product development.

Sustainability

The company has taken several initiatives in terms of sustainability, including the renovation of a historic building to create its headquarters in Cape Town, with advanced insulation and LED lighting. By installing solar panels and modern battery systems, electricity consumption has been reduced by over 70%, which corresponds to an annual CO₂ saving of around 7.5 tons. In addition, AK Durable Supply Co. uses recycled packaging and plants a mangrove tree in the Thor Heyerdahl Climate Park for every board sold to offset CO₂ emissions.

Collaborations

AK Durable Supply Co. works with several renowned companies in the water sports industry to develop innovative and high-quality products. These partners include:

• Airush Kiteboarding
• Starboard
• Severne
• FreeWing

These collaborations enable AK Durable Supply Co. to offer a diverse range of products that meet the different needs of water sports enthusiasts.

AK's future plans and vision

The company entered into a collaboration with Hydrocinch® in March 2024 to integrate their patented technology into their products. This partnership aims to achieve advancements in the design of harnesses for water sports enthusiasts. The company plans to continue developing innovative and sustainable products for water sports enthusiasts and to continue its commitment to environmental protection and quality.