Tag: ocean

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Aquatics Cycling

Glide along the water with the Schiller S1 water bike

Water sports present the opportunity for athletes to enjoy thrilling activities with little risk. As long as they’re wearing a lifejacket, they’re good to go.

Schiller S1 is an exciting new entrant to the water sports market, offering athletes the chance to cycle on the water. This water bike consists of a rust-resistant bike that sits in between two floatation devices. Using a catamaran-like design, the Schiller won’t sink. In addition, a rudder attached to the handles allows for steering while pedaling backwards sends the bike into reverse. Schiller includes a pump to blow up the floaties, which can subsequently deflate for maximum portability. One unit will cost backers a whopping $3,950 for their own with expected delivery by July 2015. Schiller is looking for $100,000 in funding by April 11.

Schiller’s campaign boasts about how portable this bike is, with owners being able to take it on a train, plane or in a car. Backers should beware, however, because the bike weighs a total of 70 lbs. Such heft isn’t exactly considered portable. However, in all other aspects, this is a fun product thatoffers a great way to get out on the water without getting super wet.

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Aquatics

Goumba safety flag alerts boaters to divers, makes a splash in the ocean

Scuba diving is a fun sport filled with wonderment and excitement. However, the proper safety measures must be taken in order to avoid accident. The same goes for boating. When shirking safety responsibilities, people can get hurt.

When divers go underwater, there’s no telling where they may pop up again. That’s why divers use a safety flag. According to the campaign, these flags are abysmal and need an update. That’s why Goumba was created. Goumba is a dive flag or cube with four reflective sides and a light to indicate to boaters that divers lurk beneath the surface.

In addition, Goumba offers boat flags as well. These flags indicate when there is a diver underneath the water from that boat. This product uses a wind turbine so that the flag spins around, but its message is always visible. For either the in-water or on-boat flag, backers will need to donate $129 for delivery in April 2015. Goumba hopes to raise $50,000 on Kickstarter.

With a fun name and innovative design, Goumba will definitely find success with divers and boaters alike. It’s not the coolest product out there, but those who spend a lot of time in the water will appreciate the peace of mind it brings.

Categories
Aquatics Safety Wearables

Shunning sharknados, ORCA eliminates the need for a bigger boat

The Premise. Recreational ocean activities are a favorite for many. Whether they’re snorkeling, scuba diving, surf or simply out on the water, people on the coast love to spend their time in the sea. However, sharks are a real concern for those out in the ocean and a shark attack can seriously harm or even kill someone.

The Product. ORCA stands for Ocean Recreation Comfort Apparatus. It is a band worn on the wrist or ankle while in the ocean that emits sound waves mimicking the killer whales that sharks are afraid of. The battery lasts for up to 12 hours and is rechargeable with an included USB cable. ORCA is powerful enough to emit its sound up to 100 feet around the wearer. This wristband is black and gray and looks much like a traditional digital watch. In addition, the sound it emits isn’t actually harmful to sharks or any other marine life.

The Pitch. Cue the dramatic music as ORCA’s video starts off with a surfer afraid of the sharks she may encounter in the water. Of course all is well once she puts on her watch and paddles out to sea. The rest of the video chats with various marine enthusiasts and gets their take on “sharky” situations. All agree that while shark attacks do occur, it’s important to find a peaceful deterrent for attacks rather than kill all the sharks. This Hawaiian product has a high campaign goal of $175,000 in its 38-day run on Kickstarter.

The Perks. ORCA offers two early-bird tiers for the product at $71 and $91 for estimated delivery in February and March 2015 respectively. At the full Kickstarter price, ORCA will cost backers a $97 donation for delivery in March 2015.

The Potential. It is a wonderful notion to use brains instead of brawn in dealing with a problem like this. As explained in the video, sharks are a vital part of the ocean eco-system and killing them off can have drastic consequences for the entire world. ORCA isn’t the first of its kind, but it certainly is the most humane option for shark deterrents. The SharkShield uses electrodes to create an electrical field around the swimmer, but according to its own website, this product causes painful muscle spasms for the shark which is what causes it to swim away. ORCA uses a simple and compassionate way to repel sharks while allowing swimmers to enjoy the ocean and for this reason it is guaranteed a place in the ocean-lover market.

Categories
Aquatics

Aqua Elliptical helps you get in your cardio on the lake

Aqua EllipticaWater sports have grown past water skiing, wakeboarding and surfing. Now, people are exploring even more new ways, like paddleboarding, to get exercising while in a lake or ocean. The Aqua Elliptica offers one such way to enjoy cardio while out on the water. This product is basically a water-friendly elliptical machine, similar to one you’d find in the gym. One Aqua Elliptica costs backers $2,500 with an estimated delivery date of September 2014. This new water device hopes to raise $50,000 in a 33-day Kickstarter campaign.