Inflatable surfboard

Jim Weir, an avid surfer for 50 years, created it.

It's called ULI, for Ultra-Light Inflatable, and it's pronounced "oo-lee."

The San Diego-based company makes a range of boards, from a $139 bodyboard to the top-of-the-line 8-foot Round Tail surfboard.

The boards are made from the same materials used in military and commercial inflatable boats, and they're durable and UV resistant.

They deflate completely for traveling and fit into a large backpack.

You inflate them with a hand pump when the surf's up.

Since the board is soft and the fins flexible, they're safe around swimmers.

In fact, they're the only surfboard allowed on San Diego swimming beaches.

[via GadgetryBlog and Gizmodo]