Rave Sports

What Rave Sports does

RAVE Sports (originally Radical Alternative Vehicles & Equipment) is a St. Paul, Minnesota-based designer, manufacturer, and distributor of inflatable water recreation equipment, founded in September 1996 and operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of publicly-traded Escalade Sports (NASDAQ: ESCA) since 2020. The company's product portfolio centers on patented commercial-grade inflatables — most notably the original Aqua Jump water trampoline (introduced 1997), the springless Bongo water bouncer, and the Splash Trax modular waterpark system — alongside boat towable tubes, inflatable stand-up paddle boards (Kota, Itasca, Akina, Agonde lines using Rigid Drop Stitch Air Beam Core), water skis, wakeboards, slides, and pool floats. Manufacturing relies on reinforced PVC with hot-welded seams, UV/mildew-resistant materials, and patented springless and Low Center Gravity (LCG) architectures that improve durability and safety. The business operates a dual go-to-market: direct-to-consumer e-commerce through ravesports.com paired with a dealer/reseller network for consumer buyers, and dedicated commercial sales, catalogs, and configuration services serving camps, resorts, and water parks. Revenue is generated almost entirely through one-time hardware sales (entry-level accessories under $10 up to commercial Splash Trax modules exceeding $15,000), supplemented by a recurring replacement-parts and accessory aftermarket. Pricing is unit-based with Affirm financing offered to consumers and free shipping above $99.

Name

Rave Sports

Legal name

RAVE Sports

Website

https://ravesports.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

RAVE Sports designs and sells patented inflatable water recreation equipment — including Aqua Jump trampolines, Bongo bouncers, boat towable tubes, iSUPs, and commercial Splash Trax waterpark systems — to consumers, dealers, and commercial camps/resorts/water parks, operating as a subsidiary of Escalade Sports.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Inflatable Water Sports Equipment

NAICS

Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Retailers (4591), Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (45912), Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Sports Equipment Retail (Wake, Ski, Tow, Tubes) (CRAMAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Paddle Sports Retail (Kayak, Canoe, SUP, Paddles) (CRAMAIAD), Surf & Beach Sports Retail (Surfboards, Bodyboards, Skimboards) (CRAMAIAE), Inflatable Water Parks (Floating Obstacle Courses) (THAAABAF), Water Park Equipment & Technology Suppliers (Slides, Pumps, Filtration, Ride Systems) (THAAABAK)

Keywords

• Water sports equipment
• Inflatable water trampolines
• Boat towable tubes
• Inflatable paddle boards
• Commercial water park systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Paul

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Water Sports Equipment Sales: RAVE Sports generates revenue primarily through the sale of water sports equipment including water trampolines, boat towable tubes, inflatable paddle boards, water skis, wakeboards, slides, and pool floats. Products are sold as one-time purchases with varying price points from entry-level to premium commercial-grade equipment.
2. Replacement Parts & Accessories: Ongoing revenue from replacement parts (jump surfaces, valves, anchors, ladders), accessories (life jackets, tow ropes, inflators, repair kits, cleaning supplies), and add-on attachments (slides, logs, launches) for existing product lines.
3. Commercial Products: Specialized commercial-grade products and modular waterpark systems (Splash Trax) sold to camps, resorts, and water parks, often in larger configurations and higher price points.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

RAVE Sports designs, manufactures, and sells inflatable water recreation equipment including water trampolines (Aqua Jump series), springless water bouncers (Bongo series), boat towable tubes, inflatable stand-up paddle boards (iSUPs), water skis, wakeboards, slides, pool floats, and modular commercial water park systems (Splash Trax). Products are sold through direct-to-consumer e-commerce, a dealer/reseller network, and a dedicated commercial sales channel serving camps, resorts, and water parks.

Product overview

RAVE Sports is a water sports equipment company offering a comprehensive portfolio of inflatable water recreation products. The core product lines include Water Trampolines (Aqua Jump series with metal springs for bounce), Water Bouncers (Bongo series with springless design), and Boat Towable Tubes. The company also offers Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboards (iSUPs) under the Kota, Itasca, Akina, and Agonde sub-brands, Water Skis and Wakeboards, Slides & Pool Floats, and Water Trampoline Attachments (Aqua Launch, Aqua Slide, Aqua Log, Walk The Plank). A dedicated Commercial Division serves camps and resorts with modular Splash Trax water park systems. The product ecosystem is supported by accessories including Life Jackets, Tow Ropes, Inflators, Repair Kits, and SUP Paddles. Products are built with commercial-grade materials including puncture-resistant PVC, reinforced seams, and UV-resistant coatings. The company operates as a subsidiary of Escalade Sports, founded in 1996, and is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Water Trampolines (Aqua Jump Series) Inflatable floating trampolines for lakes featuring commercial-grade puncture-resistant materials and metal springs for bounce. Includes Aqua Jump 150 (15ft, supports up to 4 users/700 lbs), Aqua Jump 200 (18.5ft, 6 users/1,050 lbs), and Classic Aqua Jump 25 (25ft). Designed for lake property owners, families, and commercial waterfronts.
• Water Bouncers (Bongo Series) Springless inflatable water bouncers with jump mat connected directly to the tube via heavy-duty nylon rope, eliminating rust-prone hardware. Available in Bongo 10, 13, 15, and 20 sizes and O-Zone Plus / O-Zone XL Plus models. UV-resistant commercial-grade construction suitable for fresh and salt water.
• Boat Towable Tubes Heavy-duty inflatable tubes towed behind boats for water recreation. Includes 1-2 rider models (Razor, Diablo II, Storm, Hyper 2, Mambo PX, Fastrax) and 3+ rider models (Super Storm, Hyper 3, Big Easy, Mambo, Warrior III, The GOAT, Charger, Wake Hawk). Durable nylon covers and thick gauge PVC bladders.
• Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboards (iSUPs) Portable inflatable paddle boards using Rigid Drop Stitch Air Beam Core construction. Product line includes Kota Loon (10'6"), Kota Adirondack (11'2"), Itasca, Akina, and Agonde models. Packages include board, paddle, pump, carry bag, fin, and leash. Designed for recreational paddlers and lake property owners.
• Splash Trax Modular Water Park System Modular inflatable water park system for camps and resorts. Components include Arch Bridge, Dome, Power Tower with Climbing Wall, Pylon Run, Pyramid, Quick Step, Serpent, Sweep Curve, Tunnel, Wobbly Bridge, Universal Platform, Waterfall Wall, Balance Beam, Abyss, Ladder Run, Activity Island, and Ascent Slide. Modules can stand alone or connect into obstacle course configurations.
• Water Skis Water skiing equipment including combo skis (Steady Eddy Kids Trainer, Jr. Shredder, Pure, Rhyme) and slalom skis (Carve). Features RIM molded polyurethane construction with fiberglass reinforcement for durability and performance.
• Wakeboards and Wakesurf Boards Wakeboarding and wakesurfing boards including Freestyle Wakeboard with RAVE boots, Jr. Impact, Lyric, and Fractal Wakesurfing Board. Includes wakeboard ropes (20ft, 75ft) for towing behind boats.
• Slides and Pool Floats Inflatable pool and waterfront slides including Pontoon Slide and Poolside Plunge Slide. Pool floats include Tahitian Chaise Lounge. Commercial options include Splash Trax Ascent Slide for waterpark installations.
• Water Trampoline and Bouncer Attachments Accessories for water trampolines and bouncers including Aqua Launch, Aqua Log, Aqua Slide, Walk The Plank, and Rope Swing Attachment. Designed to add excitement and variety to water recreation on existing trampolines and bouncers.
• Replacement Parts and Repair Kits Replacement parts (jump surfaces, valves, anchors, ladders) and repair kits (Pro Repair Kit, DIY Repair Kit, Standard Repair Kit, Tear-Aid Patch, PVC Vinyl Repair Glue, Halkey Roberts Valves, Valve Washer kits) for existing product lines. Supports ongoing maintenance and longevity of installed equipment.
• Aqua Buddy Water Ski and Wakeboard Trainer Patented catamaran-style inflatable seat trainer designed to help beginners learn wake surfing, water skiing, and wakeboarding. Helps take the fear out of deep water starts with pricing $94.99-$99.99.
• Tow Pro Boat Towable Rope Float Patent-pending boat towable rope float designed to handle tension, deflect spray away from riders, and provide fast setup with flat storage. Heavy-duty inflatable bladder with protective nylon fabric cover.
• RAVE Sports Commercial Division (Waterpark Tubes, Iceberg, LCG Rafts) Commercial products for camps, resorts, and water parks including modular Splash Trax systems, Iceberg products, waterpark tubes, and patented Low Center Gravity (LCG) water park rafts designed for safer rides on extreme water slides.

Quantifiable outcome

• 14-foot diameter Aqua Jump 150 supports up to 4 users (700 lbs) with 65 sq ft jump surface
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Aquaglide: Direct competitor in inflatable water trampolines, bouncers, and modular commercial waterpark systems (Aquaglide Platinum Series). Both companies were early entrants to the inflatable water recreation category and serve overlapping consumer and commercial customer bases with similar product architectures.
• O'Brien: Long-standing direct competitor in water skis, wakeboards, and towable tubes. Both brands target similar boat-owner and lake-property customer segments with overlapping product lines across entry-level and premium tiers.
• Connelly Skis: Direct competitor in water skis and wakeboards with comparable pricing tiers and dealer distribution. Both brands serve the boat-owner recreational segment with combo and slalom ski lines.
• Wibit Sports: Direct competitor in commercial modular inflatable water park systems. Wibit's obstacle-course products compete with RAVE's Splash Trax line for camps, resorts, and water park operators globally.
• Hyperlite: Direct competitor in wakeboards, water skis, and towables with strong brand presence among boat owners. Overlaps with RAVE in the boat-towed recreational equipment category and dealer networks.
• WOW Watersports: Direct competitor in boat towable tubes, water trampolines, and inflatable water recreation. Competes head-to-head in the multi-rider towable segment (WOW Big Bubba vs. RAVE Hyper 3/Big Easy) and dealer retail channels.
• Airhead: Direct competitor in boat towable tubes, water floats, and inflatable water toys. Competes at lower price points than RAVE in the entry-level towable segment through mass-market retail distribution.
• HO Sports: Direct competitor in water skis, wakeboards, and stand-up paddleboards. Both companies offer broad product portfolios across towables, skis, and SUPs targeting similar lake-property and recreational boater customers.
• Island Hopper: Direct competitor in commercial-grade water trampolines and bouncers for camps and resorts. Competes head-to-head with RAVE's commercial division in the institutional waterfront recreation market.

Emerging players

• BOTE: Emerging competitor in inflatable paddle boards and waterfront recreation with strong DTC and lifestyle brand positioning. BOTE's premium SUP and water mat lines overlap with RAVE's iSUP and Aqua Mat categories, particularly among lake-property consumers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/RAVE.Sports

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rave Sports