Magnetic device apparently recovers from 2017 attack!
Do you remember two Januaries ago when brave Florida teen Zack Davis paddled out at his home break wearing a a brand-new SharkBanz shark repellent bracelet and was subsequently bit by a shark? The most mortifying thing ever, if you happen to own and/or invest in SharkBanz. The owner and/or investor quickly took to the news and put the blame squarely on young Mr. Davis’ sore shoulders.
“What happened here is essentially the rarest of shark encounters where Zack jumped off his board and pretty much landed on the shark,” (founder Nathan) Garrison said, of Zack’s rare attack wearing the device, “if anything it probably helped clear the shark out of the area quicker.”
Mmmm. Totally probably.
Well, an investigation into the incident was promised though I don’t ever recall seeing it. In fact, I thought SharkBanz disappeared entirely, going the way of PowerBalance but I was wrong. A press release informed me today that SharkBanz is not only not gone but co-sponsoring the Eastern Surfing Association’s girls and boys under 14.
Sharkbanz (Mano LLC), the affordable, wearable shark deterrent is excited to announce their sponsorship of the largest amateur surfing association in the world, the Eastern Surfing Association (ESA). Sharkbanz joins notable surf brands Rip Curl, OluKai and Stick Bumps in supporting the grassroots surf community and competitions.
“We want to enable all people who love the ocean, but especially young surfers because they spend so much time in the water.” Commented Tim Nelson, Brand Manager, Sharkbanz. “Our products were created by surfers and divers so they could focus on their efforts, not their fears.”
Mmmm. Yeah.
The ESA regionals appear to take place near Melbourne Beach, Florida.
I still can’t believe a boy was attacked while wearing a SharkBanz and the company survived.
We live in remarkable times.
Now please enjoy some video from this year’s Eastern Surfing Association regionals.
The bands are OK, but I prefer the mood ring to repel sharks
I’m looking for angel investors in my new company called JobBanz. Essentially we are a startup that keeps jobs away. We offer neck tattoos, those weird plate things in your ears, house arrest anklets, track marks, tear drop face tattoos, and cat eye contacts. Hit us up if you hate working.
…ongoing workers’ compensation back pain documentation, previous job references from the Weinstein Corp, certificates of recognition from the risk management department of the Fukushima Nuclear plant …
Has anyone else notice that with the test footage of the electronic ones they seem to bring the sharks in close before they turn around?
The link you offer is incomplete. Resend?
Gabby and Italo for team SharkBanz!
SurferBanz, the affordable, wearable people attractant is excited to announce our new line of gold fish head banz. Lure them close with your cuteness, then bite the shit out of them! https://uploads.disquscdn.c…
How can these people sleep at night? They will be sponsoring the Shark Aware Margaret River Pro next year!
will the new wsl cheerleaders be at the founders cup?
If so I might watch it!
Ponch is a cheerleader
Fuck, you should read the latest PR on that thing. Let’s just say that while perhaps in the past some people have taken acid at large surfing contests, there will be no need for it at the Surf Ranch. It will be one long hallucination.
Are they hiring oompa-loompas?
Here it is, word for word.
LEMOORE, Calif./USA (Thursday, May 3, 2018) – The World Surf League (WSL) is geared up for a groundbreaking weekend with the inaugural Founders’ Cup of Surfing presented by Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold. Taking place at the WSL Surf Ranch, powered by Kelly Slater Technology, 5,000-strong capacity crowds are expected to watch USA, Brazil, Australia, Europe and World Teams compete on the best man-made wave in history over the two-day competition and festival, May 5-6.
In a series of WSL firsts – the first time the WSL Surf Ranch opens its doors to the public, the first live national broadcast, and the first co-ed, continental team-based competition format – the WSL Founders’ Cup of Surfing pres. by Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold will introduce an exciting new dimension to competition this weekend in Central California.
Meet the Teams
Australia Team is perhaps one of the strongest on paper with 11 World Titles between Captain Stephanie Gilmore, Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson, and back-to-back WSL Champion Tyler Wright, and Matt Wilkinson.
Brazil Team boasts two of the world’s most exciting surfers with Team Captain Gabriel Medina, 2014 WSL Champion, and Filipe Toledo, winner of five Championship Tour (CT) events. Joining the two are 2015 WSL Champion Adriano de Souza, seasoned veteran Silvana Lima, and one of the country’s best up-and-comers, Tiana Hinckel.
Europe Team has a combination of talent that spans across the continent, including one of the world’s best tuberiders, Jeremy Flores (FRA); 2017 CT rookies Frederico Morais (PRT) and Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA); a Californian charger representing her German heritage in Frankie Harrer (DEU); and led by Johanne Defay (FRA), one of the most consistent and progressive women on the CT.
USA Team looks to keep the inaugural Founders’ Cup on home soil with the wave system visionary himself, 11x WSL Champion Kelly Slater. This is his first event back after sustaining a foot injury last year. He leads a strong team of American surfers including back-to-back WSL Champion John John Florence, 3x WSL Champion Carissa Moore, and the two Californians Lakey Peterson (Santa Barbara), and CT veteran Kolohe Andino (San Clemente).
The World Team are not lacking in any manner when looking across the five-team format as 2017’s World No. 2 Jordy Smith (ZAF) captains a hefty team with the likes of fellow South African Bianca Buitendag, Tahitian powerhouse Michel Bourez, third-year CT competitor and representing his Japanese heritage Kanoa Igarashi, and the veteran talent out of New Zealand, Paige Hareb.
Entertainment Highlights
On the music front, Founders’ Cup attendees will be treated to Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Farrell DJ’ing Sunday’s Finals; Benjamin Booker’s blues/boogie/soul headlining performance Sunday, and musical act DAVIE on Saturday. Throughout the weekend, don’t miss Clean Spill, The Alive!, DJs Adam 12, Aric Christopher, and HOFF.
Fans should check out the live art installations from renowned artists such as the Haas Brothers whose work will be on view from an island in the middle of Perkins Lake in the festival grounds. Using giant paper flowers and 12’ tall characters, Niki and Simon Haas will transform the land into “Haas Island.” HULA, aka Sean Yoro, is a self-taught artist and one of Forbes’ 2018 ’30 Under 30’. Hula will be painting an 8’H x 15’W piece while floating on his paddle board. French duo, Marynn and Little Madi from Biarritz, France, will combine their styles to create an 8’ H x 24’L custom mural. Stop by the beach barge along Perkins Lake to view “Every Board Has a Story,” a surf inspired art installation and the perfect Instagram photo op! All of the art installations were produced by Alison Palevsky & Jennifer Whitmer of The Keen Experience and are entirely unique to the WSL.
How to Watch
Nationwide, surf fans can watch the Founders’ Cup live on CBS from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. PST (2 p.m. – 3 p.m. EST); and the entire event live-streamed across new WSL partner, Turner Sports’ Bleacher Report Live, and on WSL platforms, WorldSurfLeague.com and the WSL app.
Globally, the WSL’s Facebook page will live stream the event, and the event will be broadcast on television in more than 100 countries.
Thanks to Our Partners
Thanks to presenting partner Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold, fans can enjoy great views of the competition from the Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold Impact Zone at the North End of the pool. Share your stoke with the perfect selfie, free giveaways, and an ice cold Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold. Or, if you’re looking for a place to cool off in between waves, head over to the Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold Breaker Bar at the South end of Perkins Lake near Partner Village to catch some shade, more free giveaways, games and more.
Take an adventure with Jeep® Ambassadors Jordy Smith and Malia Manuel in the new “Jeep Sessions: A Surfing Journey in 360°,” which will be featured in Jeep® brand’s Virtual Reality activation located in the Partner Village. Jeep Ambassadors Jordy Smith and Tyler Wright will be stopping by the activation for a meet & greet / signing session.
T-Mobile is setting up the Un-carrier Lounge in the heart of the WSL Surf Ranch, with great views of the competition, a phone charging bar, and custom giveaways. The carrier is also the presenting partner of the in-broadcast Barrel timer and “Dialed Moments” series, featuring Founders’ Cup athletes’ previous best rides on Kelly Slater’s wave.
Stop by the Quiksilver tent in Partner Village to check out the latest in boardshorts and gear, get a free hat, and enter for a chance to win a $500 gift card.
LifeProof will be bringing out their full suite of products including their FRĒ Cases, AQ9 Speakers, Battery Packs, Charging Cables, and New Backpacks.
WSL PURE, the WSL’s non-profit ocean conservation program, will promote its NGO partner Surfrider Foundation onsite in Lemoore with the Founders and through the event broadcast.
Thanks to our partners. Disgusting.
Blah, blah, blah…HOFF!!!….blah, blah, blah…
“Our products were created by surfers and divers so they could focus on their efforts, not their fears.”
Their next product, MediumsizeTeahupooBanz, which utilizes the best junk science technology and some magnets to give its users the courage to ride biggish waves, is currently in development, undergoing rigorous testing by new spokesman, Filipe Toled0.0, at two-foot Pasta Point…
is “MediumsizeTeahupooBanz” just Peruvian marching powder in a different package?
I’ll take 10!