Rick's top finds at Winter 2018 Surf Expo
The Winter 2018 Surf Expo wrapped up on Saturday, January 27, and once again, it's a showcase of the new and top products that reflect the current state of the beach and resort industries.
Surf Expo is largest and longest running boardsports and beach/resort lifestyle tradeshow in the world. Produced annually in January and September the show draws buyers from specialty stores, major chains, resorts, cruise lines and beach rental companies across the U.S., the Caribbean, Central and South America and around the world.
I feel it's my duty to scour the exhibit space at Surf Expo and find some innovative and unique products to talk about.
There is no end to the SUP craze and that is a good thing. At the show, Body Glove debuted their Body Glove Crusader, a 15-foot long, 66-inch wide paddleboard, 6 inches thick, weighing 76lbs, with a max capacity of 1000lbs, good for 4-6 people. This looks like a lot of fun and will be available hopefully for summer.
Shark Eyes is the world’s most affordable visual shark deterrent. Shark attacks have been a big problem around the world in recent years. This is a sticker for all water users who want to minimize their risk of a shark attack. Developed, and endorsed by watermen and professionals who routinely encounter sharks in the wild, the Shark Eyes decal aims to fools the shark into thinking it’s been spotted, removing the element of surprise and deterring an attack. There are different sizes and prices start around $12. This is a simple idea and solution, but a no-brainer.
4Ocean has made it their mission to preserve our oceans by removing ocean trash through the purchase of their recycled bracelets. This is the promise to their customers: Remove one pound of trash from the ocean for every bracelet sold. Just $20.
4Ocean has three different clean up methods that drive their growing trash removal: • The daily offshore/intracoastal cleanups led by their 7 full time captains with 4 boats out on the water every single day • Beach cleanups hosted worldwide • Working with other cleanup organizations across the world
4Ocean 2017 Milestones: • Removed over 250,000 pounds of trash from the ocean • Expanded from 2 employees to over 40 • Hosted cleanups in 16 countries
This is a bracelet that makes a difference. Making a difference, helping people and preserving out environment are a few of the themes at each Surf Expo.