Customs officers inspect products made by Bestway in Rugao, Nantong, Jiangsu. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

In recent days, a batch of inflatable surfboards worth 320,000 yuan ($47,400) departed for France from Rugao, Jiangsu province.

The surfboards were produced by Bestway, which has developed an innovative alternative to traditional fiberglass hard surfboards. Unlike conventional boards that are fragile, difficult to transport and unsuitable for ordinary vehicles, Bestway's inflatable surfboards feature a proprietary inner structure embedded with thousands of high-strength polyester threads.

After inflation, the boards offer rigidity and stability comparable to traditional hard boards, with strong rebound performance and no noticeable sagging under pressure. When deflated, they can be easily rolled up and stored in a backpack-sized package, making them more convenient for transportation and outdoor use.

Designed especially for family recreation and leisure fitness, the product is helping to make surfing more accessible, bringing the sport to a wider audience.

"Our inflatable surfboards have gained a foothold in more than 30 countries and regions around the world," said Liu Lingli, customs affairs manager at Bestway. "In the first half of this year, our exports of inflatable surfboards reached around 130 million yuan, up nearly 60 percent year-on-year."