SUPOMAT - the first self-service SUP board rental station in Poland
SUPOMAT - the first self-service SUP board rental station in Poland
Since June, at the Żyrardowski Reservoir, SUPOMAT has been working - the first self-service rental station of Stand Up Paddle boards (SUP) in Poland. It was developed by a Polish technological start-up Zaklepuje.To, founded by Jakub Jażdżyk – student of the WUT Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology. The innovative project digitalises the water sports market by offering spontaneous and self-service 24/7 access to equipment.
The Zaklepuje.To concept came from the passion for water sports and its aim is to revolutionise access to relax on water by eliminating the barriers of traditional rental shops. It has been on the market for two years. First it concentrated on digitisation of the process of booking kayaking in B2B rental shops and now the platform is used by several dozen companies all over Poland. Jakub Jażdżyk, initiator and founder of Zaklepuje.To, is a winner of top start-up competitions in Poland – his solution was awarded, for example, at BraveCamp or Enactus Poland National Competition.
– My passion for kayaking made me realise how archaic and outdated the process of outdoor equipment rental may be. Long opening hours, formalities, no possibility of a spontaneous trip – these are the barriers we wanted to break – says Jakub Jażdżyk, founder of Zaklepuje.To.
SUPOMAT is a bold innovation in which the booking platform connects with the physical world, creating a complex rental system.
– This is our response – an innovative self-service solution that works round the clock, offering the user full freedom. We want to make renting sports equipment as simple and convenient as using a city scooter or ordering food – explains Jakub Jażdżyk.
The rental process is as simplified and intuitive as possible:
- QR code scanning: the client scans the QR code at the station with their smartphone.
- Choice of equipment: in the browser they choose the SUP board and confirm the reservation.
- Payment and deposit: the system blocks the deposit on the user’s payment card.
- Locker access: the client gets access to a dedicated locker with the board.
- Use and return: after using the equipment freely, the user returns the boards to the same locker and confirms the return in the system. Payment is calculated automatically for each started hour of use.
The first SUPOMAT station was launched at the Żyrardowski Reservoir, located only ca. 10 metres from the beach, which ensures perfect direct access to water. In each locker there is a full set ready to use: SUP board, adjustable paddle, buoyancy aid, and fin.
SUPOMAT is not only a novelty on the SUP market, but also an important step towards digitisation of outdoor sports in Poland. The ambition of Zaklepuje.To is to develop a network all over Poland. The company is looking for partners – marinas, hotels, restaurants and other venues located near water wishing to broaden their offer with modern self-service rental of sports equipment.