Our story
DISCOVERING RAFTING
It all began in the 1980s, when Terry Barbier , founder of Aquadesign , discovered a practice still little known in France during a trip to the United States: rafting. Fascinated by this new way of experiencing the river, this travel enthusiast then nurtured a clear ambition: to introduce and develop this sport in Europe.
1987 marks the starting point of a human and entrepreneurial adventure that continues to this day, driven by more than 30 years of passion, innovation and know-how in the service of whitewater sports.
THE BIRTH
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1988
Within this pioneering dynamic, the first Aquadesign raft, the Advantage, was born. Hand-drawn, line by line, it embodies the birth of rafting in Europe.
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1990
From Terry's garage to the first premises in Montreuil. This new stage marks a turning point with the launch of the inflatable canoe, the Explorer.
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1992
Inge Waes joins the adventure, giving a new dimension to Aquadesign's family spirit. An architect, she brings her vision and rigor, particularly in the creation of the first raft life jackets: FRASER, GUIDE and PRO.
ONE STEP AT A TIME
- 1998
Aquadesign is getting closer to its customers and its rivers by setting up shop in Corbières , in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region . As rafting grows in popularity, a new range is emerging: the Silver Cloud , a robust and durable raft designed to withstand the most demanding conditions.
- 1999
After more than ten years of continuous innovation, Aquadesign is expanding its expertise and launching into inflatable kayaks with the K-AIR range. Over the years, the product range has naturally grown: paddles, neoprene clothing, life jackets , and complementary equipment have been added to create an ever more comprehensive line.
- 2000
Aquadesign launches tubing , a whitewater buoy specially designed for river descents, opening up the practice to new accessible and fun sensations.
NEAR YOU
- 2005
The season opens with a wider range of equipment than ever before. Aquadesign is expanding its universe with new vests, new neoprene suits and a new line of lycra suits, responding to the evolution of practices and uses.
- 2007
Twenty years after its inception, Aquadesign is taking a new step. To mark this anniversary, the brand is adopting a new logo, reflecting its evolution and its strong identity.
- 2009
A new era begins with the arrival of PVC rafts. The Avanti range is born: lighter, faster and more accessible models, designed to accompany the democratization of rafting.
INNOVATION & CONSTRUCTION
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2010
Aquadesign innovates and launches into inflatable Stand Up Paddleboarding with the Rolling, incorporating double layer technology for more rigidity and durability. In the same year, the brand committed to the highest level by becoming a partner of the World Rafting Championship.
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2011
Faced with a constantly expanding catalogue and growing demand, Aquadesign is taking a new structural step with the construction of a storage warehouse adapted to its development.
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2013
In 2013, Aquadesign thought big. Very big. With the launch of giant SUPs, the brand paved the way for collective Stand Up Paddle practice, with up to 8 people on the same board.
PRODUCT FOCUS
- 2014
Aquadesign innovates once again with the View, the first Stand Up Paddle in Europe with a transparent window, offering a unique experience to observe the seabed directly from the board.
- 2017
Listening to professionals, Aquadesign is rethinking its range of life jackets . A new organization is emerging with the principle of one color per size , facilitating identification, park management and intensive use in the field.
- 2019
Despite an uncertain global period, Aquadesign is strengthening its foundations. The brand is consolidating, taking a step back, and choosing to look further ahead, to think bigger , preparing for the next stages of its development.
AN INTERNATIONAL REFERENCE
- 2020
Aquadesign is expanding its product range and targeting a wider audience with the Koloa, an inflatable kayak featuring a Dropstitch floor for increased rigidity and performance. The brand is also strengthening its PVC raft lines with the Pulse 415 and 470, and opening a new chapter by entering the packraft market.
- 2021
Aquadesign confirms its commitment to international rafting by becoming an official partner of the 2021 World Rafting Championships, held in L'Argentière-la-Bessée, a renowned whitewater sports destination. For this occasion, the brand is developing a WRF raft, specifically designed to meet the requirements of the World Rafting Federation. This competition model becomes the official raft for all WRF competitions, embodying Aquadesign's technical expertise and field experience.
- 2022
The family adventure continues with the arrival of Lori Barbier as Sales Representative. Her face may be familiar to you: daughter of Terry and Inge Barbier , she joins the company in turn, a few years after her older brother, Guillaume Barbier , perpetuating the family spirit and the transmission at the heart of Aquadesign.
TOGETHER, WE GO FURTHER
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2023
A year filled with nostalgia and pride: Aquadesign celebrates its 35th anniversary. To mark this milestone, and after many months of work, an expansion of the storage area has been completed, symbolizing a history built over time and resolutely focused on the future.
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2024
The Aquadesign family saga continues with the arrival of the youngest member, Antoine, who joins the adventure. Aquadesign develops new products designed for the general public. Among them is the Epyx 380, an ultra-compact kayak that became a bestseller in its first year.
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2025
The year flew by, punctuated by meetings, events, and shared experiences. The projects launched laid new foundations and opened new perspectives. After more than three decades of human and technical adventure, one thing remains certain: the Aquadesign story continues, and the best is yet to come.
