Surf Skull Shark Tank Update — Shark Tank Season 17
Surf Skull brings a design revolution to surf safety with a sleek, low-profile helmet that protects without compromising style, created by surfers for surfers.
Davon Larson, founder of the brand Surf Skull, along with his partner Paul Huang, entered the stage of “Shark Tank Season 17 Episode 6.” Davon pitched his one-of-a-kind product, a surfing hat or helmet for skull protection during surfing. Thus, they invented an alternative hat that isn’t bulky and doesn’t use old technology.
Now the question that loomed was, were the Sharks ready to take the plunge with this all-inclusive helmet?
About Surf Skull
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Business Name | Surf Skull |
| Founders | Davon Larson and Paul Huang |
| Industry | Safety |
| Product | A surfing helmet |
| Investment Asked | $50,000 for 12% equity |
| Deal Status | Deal secured with Daniel Lubetzky |
| Deal Outcome | $50,000 for 20% equity |
| Valuation | $416,666 |
Surf Skull’s story began in the waves of Baja California, born out of both passion and pain. Davon Larson came up with the idea when his own surfboard struck him on the head, leaving him bleeding. That very incident sparked a realization that surfers face real-life risks in the water.
When he started looking for protective gear for the head, he realized that everything that existed was either bulky or just uncool.
Davon Larson, along with his partner Paul Huang, invented a low-profile, stylish surf hat-like helmet that gives genuine protection without compromising on comfort or design.
Davon and Paul met at Google, where Davon worked as a product designer and Paul was in finance. Their expertise has fueled Surf Skull’s growth from a garage-born idea to a game-changing innovation.
Together, the team of Owen, Kendall, Aaron, and Paul had been pushing the boundaries of what surf safety gear looks like.
The first model of Surf Skull was engineered with safety. It incorporates a bump cap, typically used for lightweight industrial head protection. Further, V1 was tested to withstand up to 15 kN of force in controlled lab conditions. The tests also involved a 5 kg striker, which was dropped from 250 mm.
The helmet’s curved, lightweight, snug-fit shell ensures that it stays put in the surf while still feeling as natural as a wetsuit hood. With impacts at 30° and 60° tilt angles, the Surf Skull team has focused on replicating real-life surfing conditions.
Surf Skull Shark Tank Pitch
Davon Larson and Paul Huang came in asking for $50,000 in exchange for 12% equity in their brand, further valuing the company at $416,666. They presented the V1 and V2 helmets to the Sharks, including the TPE non-Newtonian foam, which becomes rigid as soon as it gets hit.
Kevin O’Leary asked him if they are ready to jump into other verticals as well, like bicycling. However, Paul humbly said that they would rather stick to water sports as of this moment. Also, he shared with Daniel Lubestzky that they were currently selling direct-to-consumer (D2C).
Moreover, Surf Skull was started in the year 2023, and lifetime sales stood at $100,000. They took the plunge to share with Daymond John that the landing cost of V1 was about $10, and it retails for $75, while V2, which will be launched later in 2025, costs around $15 and will retail for $100.
Daniel asked if they applied for a patent. Davon answered that they have already applied for a utility patent as the first water helmet with a slip layer, as it is designed to reduce the rotational forces on the head.
Let’s dive deeper and look closely at how the Sharks reacted and if the brand, Surf Skull, got any flyers.
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What Makes Surf Skull Unique?
There are different reasons why this water sports helmet differs from the other alternatives. Let’s look at some of those.
- The contoured and slim shape of the helmet snugly fits under the surf hat. Furthermore, it has a low-profile design that can become a part of your surf gear.
- The team of Surf Skull has gone beyond the lab testing and tested the helmet in real-life surfing conditions. Thus, testing it at tilt angles of 30% and 60% further mimics tumbles and wipeouts.
- Surf Skull helmets are made so surfers can enjoy comfort and breathability, unlike the alternatives, which are bulky.
- Beyond selling a product, Surf Skull is building a movement for safer surfing. The founders want to change how the surf community views safety.
Did Surf Skull Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
Surf Skull had a great product with a mission to solve a problem. Though their pitch, presentation, and backgrounds were the cherry on the cake, their target market was very niche, as it just involved the surfing community.
However, the Sharks were looking for more, as Kevin mentioned at the start, asking them if they could move to more sports, rather than just water sports.
Hence, Mr. Wonderful bowed out of the negotiations for the same reason, mentioning that he is not a surfer. Barbara Corcoran made an offer of $50,000 in exchange for 15%, as she related to the cause.
Additionally, Daniel Lubetzky said that the brand is at a very early stage as of now, and he knows the amount of work that has to be done. Further, offering the same amount of money in exchange for 25% equity. Lori Greiner also decided to stay out of the negotiations, stating that it’s not the right investment for her.
Davon and Paul received a third offer from Shark Daymond John. He was willing to give $50,000 for a 25% stake in the brand, which was the same as Daniel’s offer.
The founders presented a counteroffer to Daniel, asking if he could invest $50K for 20%.
Where Can You Buy It?
You can purchase the surfing helmets directly from their official website. Moreover, you can check their Instagram page for more updates.
Quick Summary
- Davon Larson and Paul Huang entered the Tank with a one-of-a-kind innovation. They designed a helmet for the surfers to protect them from real-life injuries that can happen during surfing.
- They came in seeking $50,000 in exchange for 12% equity, pitching their brand Surf Skull. The hat-style helmet was comfortable, stylish, and not bulky.
- Thus, they secured the deal with Shark Daniel Lubetzky at $50K for 20%. He has immense experience in the water sports segment.
