our history

Home of the Brands Duotone, ION, SQlab and Fanatic

Founded in 2000, the Boards & More Group brings together the sports brands Duotone, ION, SQlab and Fanatic, some of which have been successfully established in the market for more than 40 years. The company develops and distributes products for kiteboarding, windsurfing, wing foiling, stand-up paddling, and cycling, and is the global market leader in kiteboarding, windsurfing, and wing foiling.

short facts 2025

306

staff members

113

mio. € turnover

99

countries delivered

2602

retailers

our development

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The beginnings

Between 1976 and 1981, the companies Mistral, F2 and FANATIC were founded. The merger of these companies led to the creation of the Boards & More Group in 2000. One year later, the company expanded beyond its existing windsurfing division by launching the kiteboarding business unit. In the years that followed, the Boards & More Group established itself as a market leader in many core markets in both windsurfing and kiteboarding.

Start of ION Water

The ION Water business unit was founded in 2004 to serve the neoprene market within the watersports industry. In the following years, from 2007 to 2011, direct cooperation with retailers in Central Europe and Australia was significantly expanded and strengthened.

ION enters the bike market

In 2013, the ION Bike business unit was founded to distribute bike wear, MTB shoes and protection. In 2016, Boards & More INC was established and began offering cycling apparel, mountain bike shoes, and protective gear. To serve the US market as well, Boards & More Inc. was founded in the United States in 2016 as a subsidiary of the company.

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Launch of Duotone

The Boards & More Group decided to market all kiteboarding products under a new brand starting in 2018. DUOTONE was founded and is wholly owned by the Boards & More Group. In addition, an office was opened in Brazil to serve the South American market.

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Wing & Foiling Conquers the Market

With the emergence of wing foiling in 2019, a new watersport established itself and continues to shape the industry in a lasting way. The Boards & More Group, with its brands FANATIC and DUOTONE , has been at the forefront of this development, playing a pioneering role in the market. This has resulted in another market-leading position that contributes significantly to the value of the Boards & More Group.

Aquisition of the brand SQlab

In 2021, the brand SQlab was acquired, SQlab is the market leader in ergonomics for cycling. The acquisition aims to realize several major projects that have been in development for a long time and to further strengthen the Boards & More Group’s position in the cycling market.

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Expansion of the DUOTONE Brand to Windsurfing, Wing Foiling and SUP

With the gradual expansion of its brand portfolio in 2023 to include windsurfing and wing foiling, followed by stand-up paddling in 2026, DUOTONE has evolved into a comprehensive watersports universe. Today, the brand brings together all major watersports disciplines under one roof, combining expertise, innovation, and community within a strong and unified brand world.

DUOTONE Electric

In 2025, DUOTONE expanded its brand portfolio with DUOTONE Electric, making foiling accessible to a broader audience, from beginners to experienced riders. With innovative electric propulsion solutions, complete systems, and a range of compatible accessories, DUOTONE Electric opens up new possibilities on the water, from relaxed cruising in flat water conditions to a wide variety of foil disciplines.

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Wing & Foiling

With the development of one of the first wing prototypes by Ken Winner, DUOTONE is considered one of the pioneers of wing foiling. Since 2019, the sport has become firmly established worldwide. With the introduction of DUOTONE Electric, the brand continues its journey of innovation, opening up new possibilities in watersports through electric assistance systems.

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Kiteboarding

Kiteboarding is an exciting and versatile watersport that has played a major role in shaping modern watersports since the early 2000s. The Boards & More Group has been one of the industry's leading players from the very beginning and has marketed its kiteboarding products under the DUOTONE brand since 2018. DUOTONE has become one of the global market leaders in kiteboarding, shaping the industry through innovation, performance, and a strong athlete network.

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Windsurfing

FANATIC helped establish Boards & More as the global market leader in windsurfing boards. Since August 2018, the windsurfing and sail division of Boards & More has been developing and distributing all windsurfing products under the new DUOTONE brand.

Stand up paddeling

Modern stand-up paddling (SUP) has its origins in Hawaiian surf culture. In recent years, SUP has evolved into a popular recreational and family sport. FANATIC has made the Boards & More Group one of the leading players in the all-round, touring, and race segments, which represent the sport’s key categories.

Biking

With ION Bike and SQlab, the Boards & More Group combines performance, protection, comfort, and ergonomics for modern cycling. While ION develops premium apparel, footwear, and protective gear for demanding riders, SQlab enhances comfort and performance through scientifically based ergonomic concepts across mountain biking, gravel riding, road cycling, and e-bikes.

Water accessories

Under the ION brand, the Boards & More Group develops a wide range of premium watersports accessories. From wetsuits and harnesses to apparel and accessories, ION creates products that combine comfort, protection, and performance, making the difference between a good day and a perfect day on the water.