FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Santa Cruz Startup Surf Skull to Appear on Shark Tank™ 

Photo compliments of ABC

SANTA CRUZ, CA – November 11, 2025 — Surf Skull™, the Santa Cruz-based startup with the world’s first low-profile surf helmet designed to look like a bucket hat, is set to make a national splash when it appears on ABC’s Shark Tank on Wednesday, November 12th.

Surf Skull is pitching its newest product, Surf Skull Version 2. This complete redesign features the patent-pending Reeflex slip layer system—the first slip layer technology ever used in a surf helmet—making the helmet lighter, more comfortable, and engineered for significantly greater impact absorption, all while maintaining its signature low profile aesthetic.

From a Fin Cut while surfing to being surrounded by Sharks

The idea for Surf Skull originated from a personal near-miss. Founder Davon Larson, a local surfer and product designer, sustained a bad fin cut to the head while surfing in Mexico—a common, serious injury that became the catalyst for his design obsession.

Larson recognized the dilemma: protective gear existed, but surfers refused to wear it due to the stigma. “Traditional surf helmets were bulky and awkward, not something I wanted to wear,” Larson says. “We set out to build something you wouldn't feel self conscious about in the line up.”

When Larson realized he was onto something, he assembled a team, all with similar close calls in the water: Kendall Larson Williams drives operations, Paul Huang manages financial strategy, and engineers Aaron Christian and Owen Murphy designed Surf Skull v2. 

On the heals of a successful Kickstarter 

Surf Skull Version 2 is defined by the patent-pending Reeflex system, which manages rotational forces during high-energy impacts— and is also the first slip layer to be used in a surf helmet. This technological leap garnered global attention during its Kickstarter campaign this past summer, drawing support from backers in over 40 countries.

“We're excited Surf Skull is going on Shark Tank so this underrated concept of low profile head protection will get the recognition it deserves” says Williams. “We want people to feel confident protecting their heads and not self-conscious.” The Reeflex technology brings elite safety into a discreet, comfortable design.

Santa Cruz Roots, Global Expansion

Born from the iconic waves of Santa Cruz, Surf Skull blends authentic California surf culture with cutting-edge design and engineering. With Version 2 preorders expected to ship in December 2025, the company is poised for rapid growth following its national television debut.

Tune In

Catch Surf Skull’s pitch on Shark Tank™, airing Wednesday, November 12th at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC (and streaming the next day on Hulu).

For Media Inquiries, Product Samples, or Interview Requests, please contact:

Email: thesurfskull@gmail.com Website: www.thesurfskull.com Instagram: @surfskullsc