WaterShield

A longboard wheel “fender” attachment designed to prevent water from spraying up onto the rider in wet conditions.

Problem

Riding a longboard in the rain quickly soaks the rider because the wheels kick water upward. Existing solutions were either bulky, not designed for longboards, or inconvenient to install/remove.

Solution

WaterShield is a compact, attachable wheel cover that blocks splash-up at the source. The design focuses on a secure mount, simple installation, and a form factor that fits common longboard setups without getting in the way of riding.

Design Development

First iteration prototype

3 objectives:
1. Design a wheel cover that arches over the wheel
2. Securely attaches to the longboard using the existing mounting hardware
3. Provides enough clearance so the fender doesn't collide with the wheel when performing sharp turns

Prototype looked too bulky and reminded me of a door stopper

Iterating form and attachment strategy for wheel clearance and stability.
Sleeker model, wider arch to catch the upsplash that occurs at the frontmost part of the wheel.

Testing

Real-world testing to validate fit, clearance, and durability.

Observing splash reduction under wet riding conditions.

Demo

WaterShield in motion, demonstrating real-time splash reduction.

What I did

• Defined the user pain point and usage scenarios
• Designed the attachment concept and mounting approach
• Iterated shape and fit for wheel clearance and durability
• Prototyped and validated basic function with test rides

Takeaways

Small accessories succeed or fail on install friction. The design had to feel immediately worth using the moment conditions turned wet.