SurfSet Fitness is a company founded by Mike Hartwick, a professional hockey player who transitioned to surfing in California after retiring. The company offers surfing equipment and fitness classes. With Sara Ponn, who’s a fitness and nutrition expert, Hartwick developed RipSurferX. This is a piece of surfing equipment that allows users to use it for exercise and stimulating surfing without needing to actually be in the water.
Even before coming to Shark Tank, SurfSet was doing well in the market. They had earned $150,000 in sales from offering surfing classes and their program was so popular and well-known that they already had hundreds of people asking about it. They were seeking investment so that they could pursue national certification with certified instructors in every state.
Are They Still an Active Company?
No, SurfSet Fitness is currently not active and is out of business.
How Did the Shark Tank Pitch Go?
Mike and Sarah came to Shark Tank with an initial ask of $150,000 for a 10% stake in the company. They invited Lakey Peterson, a pro-surfer, to demonstrate the effectiveness of their product. Robert Harjovic was the first to actively show interest in the company. He tried out RipSurferX for himself and seemed to like it.
Mark Cuban also liked the idea and suggested that SurfSet engage elite surfers as certified coaches, which was a better option than just hiring any instructor.
He offered $300,000 for a 33% of the company. Robert loved SurfSet so much after trying it that he offered $100,000 for a 20% stake.
Daymond was interested and offered $150K for a 25% stake in addition to an unrestricted production agreement for the RipSurferX boards. Kevin then requested to be included in this contract with Daymond. Barbara informed Ponn and Hartwick that Mark was the best partner for this project and offered to join him in accepting Mark’s offer.
Mark didn’t want a partner on the deal and appreciated Mike’s finance skills, therefore Barbara stepped down. Ponn and Hartwick used the famed “24 second shot clock” to determine whether to travel with Kevin and Daymond, Robert, or Mark. When Mark reduced his investment to 30%, the SurfSet Fitness founders accepted the deal.
Overall, the SurfSet Shark Tank Review was positive and they left with a good deal. After their successful run at Shark Tank, they managed to get certified trainers in 29 cities. They also went on a nationwide tour to certify trainers throughout the country and later on, even partnered with big companies.
Our Review of SurfSet Fitness
We decided to review SurfSet Fitness for ourselves to see how it would fare in real life.
The good news is that the SurfSet Fitness Board is good for core balancing exercises. The fitness classes came with instructors that would assist people struggling to find their balance. The SurfSet Fitness classes were centered around many surfing moves like pretending to jump into the sand, which made for an intense but effective workout with the board.
The RipSurferX was a sturdy board made of solid material. The board can also be adjusted for people at different experience levels; any user from novice to experienced surfer will enjoy using this board. It was created specifically to imitate the physical demands of surfing but without the water. You’ll burn excess fat, bulk up, and achieve a tight core while swinging through surfing video workouts with the RipSurfer X.
The bad news is that the RipSurferX is an expensive board; at almost $600 people might not necessarily buy it. Most people might prefer to go with conventional workout equipment instead. The wheels wear out quickly meaning that it isn’t durable in the long run. The surface might be hazardous for beginners and might cause accidents.
Pros of SurfSet Fitness
- Sturdy
- Can handle a lot of weight
- Suitable for users of all experience levels
- Helps develop core strength
Cons of SurfSet Fitness
- Expensive
- Not durable wheels
- Hazardous for beginners
Who Is SurfSet Fitness for?
SurfSet Fitness is the perfect product for people who enjoy surfing and want to experience the feeling of standing on top of a surfboard even when they don’t have direct access to water. It’s also a good option for people who just want to practice getting comfortable with a surfboard.
Are There Any Alternatives?
The RipSurferX was a unique product at the time of its invention but there are now other alternatives to it.
Razor RipStik RipSurf is a good alternative to SurfSet Fitness’ trademark product. It’s a lightweight skateboard that’s designed like a surfboard. The patented design of the surfboard allows riders to cut and curve exactly like they would on a surfboard. The board is sturdy, made of industrial-grade polymer. It also comes with an extra wheel, in case you require a replacement and stickers with which you can decorate your board.
Our Final Thoughts
The SurfSet Fitness Board is a good product for anyone who’s interested in starting surfing but doesn’t know how to use a surfboard yet or wants to get comfortable with one. It’s also good workout equipment on its own. It’s designed exactly like a surfboard so it’ll help anyone who wants to practice cuts and curves.
It could’ve been developed more to use on dry surfaces like its alternatives, doubling up as skateboards. The SurfSet Fitness Board is sturdy and the company’s certified training classes were popular with customers.
