A wind paddle sail assembly includes a sail having stiffened upper and lower ends and a paddle or pole having an upper fixed end and a lower portion with a lower free end. A fastener fastens the upper fixed end of the paddle or pole to the upper end of the sail. A downhaul strap fastens the lower end of the sail to the lower portion of the paddle or pole for adjusting tension in the sail. A method for operating a wind paddle sail assembly is also provided.

A multi-layer bladder construct consisting of a non-stretchable outer covering and a stretchable inner bladder. The outer covering has an inner surface and is made from woven polymer fibers having a warp direction and a weft direction. The inner bladder is made from a bi-axially oriented polymer film. The inner bladder has an outer surface area that is smaller than the inner surface area of the outer covering. Upon inflation, the inner bladder stretches and expands until the outer surface of the inner bladder engages the inner surface of the outer covering, whereby a portion of tensile force loading on the outer covering is shared with the inner bladder. The multi-layer bladder was developed for use in air-inflated kites used in the sport of kiteboarding, but has broader potential application.

A multi-layer bladder construct consisting of a non-stretchable outer covering and a stretchable inner bladder. The outer covering has an inner surface and is made from woven polymer fibers having a warp direction and a weft direction. The inner bladder is made from a bi-axially oriented polymer film. The inner bladder has an outer surface area that is smaller than the inner surface area of the outer covering. Upon inflation, the inner bladder stretches and expands until the outer surface of the inner bladder engages the inner surface of the outer covering, whereby a portion of tensile force loading on the outer covering is shared with the inner bladder. The multi-layer bladder was developed for use in air-inflated kites used in the sport of kiteboarding, but has broader potential application.

A multi-layer bladder construct consisting of a non-stretchable outer covering and a stretchable inner bladder. The outer covering has an inner surface and is made from woven polymer fibers having a warp direction and a weft direction. The inner bladder is made from a bi-axially oriented polymer film. The inner bladder has an outer surface area that is smaller than the inner surface area of the outer covering. Upon inflation, the inner bladder stretches and expands until the outer surface of the inner bladder engages the inner surface of the outer covering, whereby a portion of tensile force loading on the outer covering is shared with the inner bladder. The multi-layer bladder was developed for use in air-inflated kites used in the sport of kiteboarding, but has broader potential application.

A multi-layer bladder construct consisting of a non-stretchable outer covering and a stretchable inner bladder. The outer covering has an inner surface and is made from woven polymer fibers having a warp direction and a weft direction. The inner bladder is made from a bi-axially oriented polymer film. The inner bladder has an outer surface area that is smaller than the inner surface area of the outer covering. Upon inflation, the inner bladder stretches and expands until the outer surface of the inner bladder engages the inner surface of the outer covering, whereby a portion of tensile force loading on the outer covering is shared with the inner bladder. The multi-layer bladder was developed for use in air-inflated kites used in the sport of kiteboarding, but has broader potential application.

A mast for a rig for a surfboard is characterized among others by the following features: a mast with a profiled cross-section in the longitudinal direction, said cross-section being formed transversely to the mast longitudinal direction and deviating from a circular shape; the profiled cross-section has the shape of a droplet or has a droplet-like design in the manner of a droplet profile; the mast has a fork tree head securing section which can be rotated or pivoted about the fork tree head securing section; the fork tree head securing section is provided with a cross-section which deviates from the droplet profile; and the mast lower part and the mast upper part of the mast consist of plastic or comprise plastic optionally with the addition of a reinforcement consisting of metal, glass fibers, and/or carbon fibers.

A wind paddle sail assembly includes a sail having stiffened upper and lower ends and a paddle or pole having an upper fixed end and a lower portion with a lower free end. A fastener fastens the upper fixed end of the paddle or pole to the upper end of the sail. A downhaul strap fastens the lower end of the sail to the lower portion of the paddle or pole for adjusting tension in the sail. A method for operating a wind paddle sail assembly is also provided.

A mast for a rig for a surfboard is characterized among others by the following features: a mast with a profiled cross-section in the longitudinal direction, said cross-section being formed transversely to the mast longitudinal direction and deviating from a circular shape; the profiled cross-section has the shape of a droplet or has a droplet-like design in the manner of a droplet profile; the mast has a fork tree head securing section which can be rotated or pivoted about the fork tree head securing section; the fork tree head securing section is provided with a cross-section which deviates from the droplet profile; and the mast lower part and the mast upper part of the mast consist of plastic or comprise plastic optionally with the addition of a reinforcement consisting of metal, glass fibers, and/or carbon fibers.

The invention relates to an inflatable rig for wind-powered sports equipment and a sailing rig set comprising such rigs.