In Bangkok on 6th March 1978, Mr. Vorapant Chotikapanich (the company’s current chairman and majority shareholder) opened the doors to ‘Windglider Thailand’. Established initially as an own-brand manufacturer, the company started its production with light-weight windsurf boards and changed its name to COBRA in 1985.

In 1987, COBRA started to offer OEM, serving the worldwide market for composite watersports equipment, and by 1999 had become the leading manufacturer of windsurf boards with over 50% world market share. During this time, COBRA also expanded its product range to incorporate the significant surfboard and rapidly growing kiteboard markets with the aim of expanding its product line.

In 2005, COBRA entered into the Marine manufacturing business via a joint venture. In 2006, on receiving an initial order from a top-class German Automotive brand, COBRA entered a completely new market as a manufacturer of carbon parts for premium cars. Whilst diversifying its product range into both Automotive and Marine markets, and further into Luxury Accessories and Composite Structures, COBRA has never lost focus on its core business of Watersports. In 2009, stand-up-paddle boards (SUP) were introduced to the market, and COBRA immediately took the opportunity to become the world’s leading player in SUP manufacturing.

Today, with its state-of-the-art production facilities of approximately 100,000 m2, experience in product design, and consistent manufacturing quality, COBRA is recognised as a key composites partner to the marine, automotive and other sectors, whilst retaining its reputation as the world’s leading manufacturer of watersports products.