Hi Australian SUP Community —
Seabreeze always has some interesting SUP stories I like to keep up to speed on. I came across similar topics & just wanted to clarify on some confusion that seems to be going on in the Australian marketplace. I founded both Puka Patch & Rail Saver Pro, a Puka Patch product.
Despite what some might hear, Puka Patch is Rail Saver Pro & is why we have kept the name whilst the other like-branded name has since been changed to RS Pro…
I hope this helps with the confusion & integrity of the original Rail Saver Pro, a product that has been widely accepted through the Australian marketplace, launched many years ago by my Australian distributor Watershack Pty Ltd.
On the subject of Jimmy Lewis - Jimmy has been a supporter of our product since the beginning & still supports the Puka Patch Rail Saver Pro exclusively to this day.
The pictures posted in these forums stating Jimmy apparently switching to RSPro were from one of Jimmy’s international distributors without the support of Jimmy himself.
There’s a saying in the innovation world that the greatest form of flattery is when someone copies you, so I guess for many years now we’ve been doing something right by providing a quality product that continues to evolve. Confusing a market by copying your name to build another product is not flattery & definitely not innovative.
If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact my Australian distributor : rob@watershack.com.au
Thanks, Jon Mosher - Puka Patch & Rail Saver Pro
I'm confused. The product I've been using seems to be called Rail Saver Pro. It says Rail Saver Pro on the actual product. The website is railsaverpro.com.au . But the logo on the website is RSPro.
Under the About Us tab,it says: RSPRO Australia is your Australian distributor of RailSaverPRO products. The familiar RailSaverPRO name has been internationally rebranded as RSPRO for 2015.
I have no complaints with the product I've been using. So if this isn't the original Rail Saver Pro, then what is it and what's the difference?
As I understand it, RSPro formerly called themselves Rail Saver Pro, but this name was already being used by another company (Pukka Patch) and so they've changed their name. So older products from RSPro may have the older name on it. I'm guessing the newer examples (from the Barcelona-based company now distributed I think by NSI) will read "RSPro" instead - or similar.
If this isn't the situation then I'm well and truly confused too!
Area 10 hit the nail on the head - Puka Patch ARE the original branded RailSaver Pro.
As mentioned - RSPro formerly called themselves Rail Saver Pro & have now changed their name/packaging to RSPro, any older stock they have on the market might show Rail Saver Pro wording somewhere on the packaging.
If anyone out there is looking for 'Puka Patch Railsaver Pro' - The below image is the in-store retail packaging that you first saw when Rail Tape was invented & is still see the same packaging today. We've always had a great product that's been widely accepted since day one by most of the top retailers & SUP manufacturers in Australia (and they still do to this day also), we like to keep it simple & not confuse anyone but when someone takes your name to try & build their own product...that's all they're doing really, confusing everyone.
For PTWoody:
What's the difference with Puka Patch Rail Saver Pro ;
1. It's the thinnest on the market, barely detectable to the eye so your original board aesthetics are kept as is.
2. No hard edges to get snagged on, no hard edges for dirt & grime to stick to, no hard edges that can cut you or cause drag.
3. It's very stretchy, which makes it go further than any other tapes therefore you get more coverage for your buck. The stretch factor also reduces the chances of air bubbles tremendously.
4. Thick tapes have no give which causes paddles to bite into the material, Puka Patch thinner tape has a rubbery feel which makes your paddle bounce not bite.
5. Can be applied wet or dry.
6. Very strong adhesion, the longer you leave it the stronger it gets & can be easily removed with heat, without damage to paint or gel coats.
7. 5yrs later, the packaged kits at retail & the 50mtr rolls for schools etc continue to be re-ordered by many of the biggest names in Australia, because it's a proven product that works well & is always available.
Anyone who says differently either has vested interest to move another product or rushed & didn't apply it correctly.
I've been an avid SUP'r for a long time now & have personally applied Puka Patch to hundreds of boards & have never had a single issue.
Cheers
Rob
Well that's pretty dodgy... I have bought the Rail Saver Pro product, and then RSPro, think I was buying the product often discussed on this forum. But I bought the dodgy brand. Couldn't you make them change their name to Dodgy Tape or something to make it clear which is the original?
I wouldn't say "Dodgy" I think every one has been using RSPro/Railsaver Pro - so whatever this other guy is doing is clutching at market share. I have used the local stuff and really happy with it.
Seems like some vested interest here...
Certainly confusion. I;m a big fan of what is now called RSPro. No vested interest, I've paid retail for every inch. I accidentally bought the puka patch stuff in Maui last year, thinking it was a clear version of RSPro--the stuff from Barcelona. Hardly. It's just something like helicopter tape, and compared to RSPro it sucks toads. Put it on my board, watched it get all whacked up and cut up, pulled it off and a bunch of paint came with it. Replaced it with RSPro.
I admit that I thought RSPro had the name Railsaver Pro and Puka Patch was encroaching on them. Had no idea it might be the other way around. But the red tape on the board above is RSPro, no question. And in my opinion it's an infinitely superior product to the puka patch stuff.
Well, I stand corrected. Because I create products that do get copied I am sensitive to this sort of thing. I can't say I have any criticism of the product itself (except that I don't really want their name all over my board).
Hi Teeps -
(This other guy) I assume being me, yes as the Australian Distributor I do have a vested interest to protect what I've been building for many years...as would any brand owner / distributor, nothing shameful about that.
I've launched & supported many major SUP events in Australia that no doubt assisted in building the sport & the industry in Australia, Puka Patch has always been a part of this support that helps the industry go around, I've never ripped off a single person or brand to get ahead so yeah, I'm speaking up to protect marketshare for a product that has continually supported the industry.
I appreciate & have no problem with anyone having an opinion on what product they feel is better, everyone's entitled to that. I never attacked any other brand as a product, my product points were addressed to a question on what makes Puka Patch Rail Saver Pro different.
And the original email was not to compare, but simply inform the Australian market on which brand was Rail Saver Pro.
Cheers
Rob
Where is yours available from Rob?, can I get it online and is it able to be posted? Cheers
Select to expand quotecantSUPenough said..
Well, I stand corrected. Because I create products that do get copied
Note that this is not the case here: the products are totally different, for instance Puka Patch claims that it is thinner than all the others, whereas the Spanish one on the opposite is one of the thickest (if not the thickest).
I must say that from France (near Spain), I never realised that the Puka Patch product was labelled "rail saver pro" (as it was not common in Europe, but I was aware of the Puka Patch name) so I would be surprised if the infringement was intentional: why copy a name if you think a radically different approach is better?
Disclaimer: I never saw the Puka Patch products, but I used the now called RSPro (and -as a personal opinion- was as satisfied as PonoBill, but never compared the 2). But now I use boards with kevlar rails so I never have to use rail savers anymore :-)
Select to expand quotepukapatch said..
Hi Australian SUP Community —
There’s a saying in the innovation world that the greatest form of flattery is when someone copies you, so I guess for many years now we’ve been doing something right by providing a quality product that continues to evolve. Confusing a market by copying your name to build another product is not flattery & definitely not innovative.
---I never attacked any other brand as a product, my product points were addressed to a question on what makes Puka Patch Rail Saver Pro different. And the original email was not to compare, but simply inform the Australian market on which brand was Rail Saver Pro.
Really?
Select to expand quotecolas said..cantSUPenough said..
Well, I stand corrected. Because I create products that do get copied
Note that this is not the case here: the products are totally different, for instance Puka Patch claims that it is thinner than all the others, whereas the Spanish one on the opposite is one of the thickest (if not the thickest).
I must say that from France (near Spain), I never realised that the Puka Patch product was labelled "rail saver pro" (as it was not common in Europe, but I was aware of the Puka Patch name) so I would be surprised if the infringement was intentional: why copy a name if you think a radically different approach is better?
Disclaimer: I never saw the Puka Patch products, but I used the now called RSPro (and -as a personal opinion- was as satisfied as PonoBill, but never compared the 2). But now I use boards with kevlar rails so I never have to use rail savers anymore :-)
And just to clarify, while people copy our IP, the worst situation (for me) is when they copy my business name - they try to associate themselves with my business - people expect one thing and get another. Maybe it was pure coincidence that they both came up with the name "rail saver pro".
Why am I not surprised?
**** if it had wings like a certain paddle does, who knows what would happen?
Select to expand quotecantSUPenough said..
Well, I stand corrected. Because I create products that do get copied I am sensitive to this sort of thing. I can't say I have any criticism of the product itself (except that I don't really want their name all over my board).
Totally agree, I like the product but the branding on the tape is just a bit cheesy imo....
Select to expand quoteLoz79 said..cantSUPenough said..
Well, I stand corrected. Because I create products that do get copied I am sensitive to this sort of thing. I can't say I have any criticism of the product itself (except that I don't really want their name all over my board).
Totally agree, I like the product but the branding on the tape is just a bit cheesy imo....
+2 for the branding - I could do without it. But it's not as bad as ION rail tape, where the brand is HUGE. It's a sad irony that we use this clear rail tape to protect the carefully crafted graphic design of the original board, only to have that design interrupted by the rail tape branding.
The only clear rail tape I've seen that doesn't have the name plastered on it is not all that great quality.
The guy selling the 'immitation' stuff is a bit hypocritical considering he fired up when a paddle with wings appeared that wasn't one of his...
+3 with the branding. If I am buying a quality product, which I have found RSPro to be, I shouldn't have to be promoting their brand with their website all over it. I'd just prefer the tape and whatever design I choose, WITHOUT the words or URL on it.
A small logo I could maybe tolerate but the website address is too much for me....
You lost me with the "paddle with wings reference" Ke Na Lu and rail tape?
I like the 3M tape. Sorry.
I go to the surf shop to buy rail tape, that's all I want, I'm not looking at who started what first, market share or not, I use the thicker tape,I'm part of the 95% of the average Joe market, if there is any performance difference in the board by using either tape then bloody ripper I have a chance to win tattslotto.
Select to expand quotemagillamelb said..
KeNalu and RSPro - same person behind both in AUS
Just wondering what your point is here, if it is to suggest this person knows good quality and provide us with quality products I'm with you, but if it is to suggest an outrageous infringement on another business forget it.
Select to expand quoteockanui said..
I go to the surf shop to buy rail tape, that's all I want, I'm not looking at who started what first, market share or not, I use the thicker tape,I'm part of the 95% of the average Joe market, if there is any performance difference in the board by using either tape then bloody ripper I have a chance to win tattslotto.
MJ if you win tattslotto can you buy me some rail tape please and I do question that rail tape is the only thing you want when visiting surf shops
Select to expand quotemicksmith said..ockanui said..
I go to the surf shop to buy rail tape, that's all I want, I'm not looking at who started what first, market share or not, I use the thicker tape,I'm part of the 95% of the average Joe market, if there is any performance difference in the board by using either tape then bloody ripper I have a chance to win tattslotto.
MJ if you win tattslotto can you buy me some rail tape please and I do question that rail tape is the only thing you want when visiting surf shops
AND he can buy us ALLl one of those fancy blue DEEP boards that he's excited about!
Select to expand quoteHelmy said...micksmith said..ockanui said..
I go to the surf shop to buy rail tape, that's all I want, I'm not looking at who started what first, market share or not, I use the thicker tape,I'm part of the 95% of the average Joe market, if there is any performance difference in the board by using either tape then bloody ripper I have a chance to win tattslotto.
MJ if you win tattslotto can you buy me some rail tape please and I do question that rail tape is the only thing you want when visiting surf shops
AND he can buy us ALLl one of those fancy blue DEEP boards that he's excited about!
Hahahaha there is something very Australian about when a topic that seems serious in content ends up having the piss taken out of it... Says something about the some of the content of that topic IMO...
If I win lotto, no tape no boards just the " milky bars" are on me....
Select to expand quoteLoz79 said..
Where is yours available from Rob?, can I get it online and is it able to be posted? Cheers
Loz79 said..
Where is yours available from Rob?, can I get it online and is it able to be posted? Cheers
Hi Loz79 -
Where are you located in Qld so I can direct you to a nearby retailer ?
Many shops sell it online also but I personally don't myself.....I'm a wholesaler so let everything go through the retail channel.
Cheers
Rob
Select to expand quoteockanui said..Helmy said...micksmith said..ockanui said..
I go to the surf shop to buy rail tape, that's all I want, I'm not looking at who started what first, market share or not, I use the thicker tape,I'm part of the 95% of the average Joe market, if there is any performance difference in the board by using either tape then bloody ripper I have a chance to win tattslotto.
MJ if you win tattslotto can you buy me some rail tape please and I do question that rail tape is the only thing you want when visiting surf shops
AND he can buy us ALLl one of those fancy blue DEEP boards that he's excited about!
Hahahaha there is something very Australian about when a topic that seems serious in content ends up having the piss taken out of it... Says something about the some of the content of that topic IMO...
If I win lotto, no tape no boards just the " milky bars" are on me....
Yeh I agree with first sentence. As for the lotto part you mongrel, here I was thinking if I win I would bye you a nice new green Deep to replace that horrible blue one, but forget it
Select to expand quoteAmundAqua said...Loz79 said..
Where is yours available from Rob?, can I get it online and is it able to be posted? Cheers
Loz79 said..
Where is yours available from Rob?, can I get it online and is it able to be posted? Cheers
Hi Loz79 -
Where are you located in Qld so I can direct you to a nearby retailer ?
Many shops sell it online also but I personally don't myself.....I'm a wholesaler so let everything go through the retail channel.
Cheers
Rob
I'm in Bargara qld, I doubt you'd have any dealers here
Select to expand quotepukapatch said..
Hi Australian SUP Community —
Seabreeze always has some interesting SUP stories I like to keep up to speed on. I came across similar topics & just wanted to clarify on some confusion that seems to be going on in the Australian marketplace. I founded both Puka Patch & Rail Saver Pro, a Puka Patch product.
Despite what some might hear, Puka Patch is Rail Saver Pro & is why we have kept the name whilst the other like-branded name has since been changed to RS Pro…
I hope this helps with the confusion & integrity of the original Rail Saver Pro, a product that has been widely accepted through the Australian marketplace, launched many years ago by my Australian distributor Watershack Pty Ltd.
On the subject of Jimmy Lewis - Jimmy has been a supporter of our product since the beginning & still supports the Puka Patch Rail Saver Pro exclusively to this day.
The pictures posted in these forums stating Jimmy apparently switching to RSPro were from one of Jimmy’s international distributors without the support of Jimmy himself.
There’s a saying in the innovation world that the greatest form of flattery is when someone copies you, so I guess for many years now we’ve been doing something right by providing a quality product that continues to evolve. Confusing a market by copying your name to build another product is not flattery & definitely not innovative.
If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact my Australian distributor : rob@watershack.com.au
Thanks, Jon Mosher - Puka Patch & Rail Saver Pro
I also can't work this one out. Are you Puka Patch or Rail Saver Pro? Your website says your product is (Puka Patch Rail Saver Pro), also it states its ding repair tape. I have use some for a ding repair and loved it for sealing dings.
Since I got my custom boards, I have used Clear Xtreme RSPRO on my surf Sups and the Clear Jumbo RSPRO on my race boards, all from Rail Saver Pro Australia, and I believe that is an Australian registered company name! correct me if I'm wrong.
I would not use anything else for rail tape, it's easy to apply, it's thick and strong.
For dings I have no problem recommending Puka Patch unless you think I shouldn't!
