Skimming the Surface

Abstract

The main reason for this thesis was to broaden my knowledge and learn more about lead users in the context of alternative sports, where an experimental and creative mindset is greatly rewarded. The work is centred around two avid winchboarders with the ambition to improve their activity and broaden the constraint that they are experiencing. Field research was the main tool for analysing the positive and negative sides of their activity, followed by discussions of how we could make several variables less intrusive and time consuming for them. External factors like increased precipitation, cultural catalysts and the competitive arenas was an important part of the analysis of the future of the sport. My winch ‘Elvira’ is designed to broaden the scope of play, whilst simultaneously improve small technical nuisances. The result is an electrical wakeboard winch with an increased mobility by decreased weight and volume, intuitive and simple handling for the operator and improved sensation by solving small issues that affect ride experience, such as uneven velocity and choppy movement in the rope.