Hamboards Shark Tank Update | Hamboards Net Worth
Hamboards is a California-based company that appeared on Season 5 of Shark Tank, showcasing a unique product that combines the experience of surfing and skateboarding.
Founded by the Hamborg family, this company manufactures and sells large, surf-style skateboards designed to replicate the feeling of surfing on land.
Hamboards come in various designs and sizes, each intended to provide a different riding experience, but they all share a common goal: to capture the fluid, carving motion of surfing.
They range from shorter boards for tight turns and agility to longboards with a glide similar to longboard surfing. Many of their boards are crafted with beautiful exotic hardwoods and bamboo, adding an aesthetic appeal that stands out in the skateboarding industry.
Hamboards are characterized by their special patented 200mm HST carving trucks. These are wider than conventional skateboard trucks and are designed to allow greater turning and carving, further simulating the surfing experience. They also feature oversized wheels that provide a smoother ride over various surfaces.
Hamboards are an excellent choice for anyone who loves the sensation of surfing and wants to experience it on land. They are also ideal for individuals who live in places where surfing is not accessible or for surfers who want to practice their carving and balance when they can’t get to the water.
Besides that, the quality craftsmanship and unique design make these boards more than just a mode of transport – they are a lifestyle accessory. Hamboards give the sensation of riding waves, making every ride an adventure.
| Company Name | Hamboards |
| Entrepreneur | Pete Hamborg, Gus Hamborg, and Donnie Sandusky |
| Product / Business | Skateboards that look like surfboards |
| Investment Asking For | $100,000 for 15% equity in Hamboards |
| Final Deal | $300,000 for 30% equity in Hamboards |
| Shark | Robert Herjavec |
| Hamboards Episode | Season 5, Episode 4 |
| Hamboards Business Status | In Business |
| Hamboards Website | Visit Website |
What Is Hamboards?
Hamboards is a company that offers a unique line of longboard skateboards designed to mimic the experience of riding a surfboard on concrete. Frustrated with traditional skateboards’ short, abrupt ride, the Hamborg family created a longer, more fluid version that could replicate the surfing sensation.
Their result was a collection of handmade longboards that offer a smoother, more enjoyable ride. The company’s product line includes five different models, ranging in length from 3 to 6.5 feet, each named for a popular surf break.
Hamboards are meant to provide an alternative to traditional skateboarding, catering to surfers, longboarders, and anyone looking for a different ride.
Hamboards are sold in the U.S. and shipped worldwide, ensuring that their unique longboards are accessible to anyone who seeks to replicate the feeling of surfing on the pavement.
Who Is The Founder Of Hamboards?
Pete Hamborg, a Huntington Beach fireman, and his sons Gus Hamborg and Donnie Sandusky, California, founded Hamboards. Hamborg, a lifelong surfer and father of five boys, sought a way to practice his surf moves on land during the off-season or when the waves weren’t right for surfing.
He also wanted to create something to help his children improve their balance and coordination. The conception of Hamboards began as a family project in the Hamborg’s garage around 2004. The initial prototypes were pieces of wood with trucks and wheels attached to them.
Over time, the family tinkered and improved on the designs, refining the shape and length of the boards and even custom-designing the special trucks, aiming to recreate the authentic surfing sensation.
Before appearing on Shark Tank in 2013, Hamboards had already gained some recognition and was making sales, mainly in their local area. The Hamborg family produced the boards by hand, selling them out of their garage, at local surf shops, and online.
Their boards were known for their quality, handmade craftsmanship, and the unique surfing experience they provided. However, Hamboards was not widely known outside of Southern California, and the company faced significant challenges in scaling up production and distribution.
They lacked the financial resources to take the business to the next level, one of the main reasons they decided to pitch their business on Shark Tank.
Despite the challenges, the family’s passion for the product and their commitment to maintaining the high quality and performance of their boards shone through, catching the attention of the investors on the show.
Hamboards Before Shark Tank
Pete Hamborg, his wife, and his five sons live in Huntington Beach, California. They came up with the idea for the Hamboards with his help and the help of his family.
They assert that they are the quintessential beach family. Every one of Pete’s sons works as a lifeguard, Pete is a firefighter, and the entire family has a passion for surfing.
Pete claims that he has spent more than 35 years living in Huntington Beach, where he has also been surfing. He concluded that the exhilarating sensation of surfing that he had been able to experience was something other people would also want to have.
This is the inspiration behind the creation of the Hamboard by him and his family. Pete claims that their innovation will allow people who have never surfed before to experience what it’s like to ride a wave genuinely.
Pete claims he and his family believe the Hamboards brand is gaining traction. Hamboards is growing and getting more orders. They claim not to have enough funds to produce the number of boards that will satisfy demand, so Pete is seeking investment from sharks.
Hamboards are planning to expand across the United States so that more people can experience the thrill of surfing, even if it has to be on land.
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Of Hamboards?
During the fifth season of Shark Tank in 2013, Pete Hamborg and his eldest son Gus appeared before the Sharks to present their unique Hamboards business. They came seeking an investment of $100,000 for a 15% stake in their company, valuing Hamboards at $667,000.
Pete and Gus demonstrated their product, with Gus even showing off his skills by riding a Hamboard around the Shark Tank stage. The Hamboards painted an attractive picture of a family-owned business that combined passion for surfing with quality craftsmanship.
They explained the various models of Hamboards they had designed, each catering to a different style of surf skating. However, despite their passion and the product’s undeniable uniqueness, there were some concerns.
The Sharks questioned the high retail price of the boards, which ranged from $160 to $695, and the relatively low sales numbers. The founders admitted they were struggling with production, distribution, and scaling up the business.
Despite the reservations, investor Robert Herjavec saw the potential in the product and the people behind it. He appreciated Hamborgs’ dedication to pursuing their dream and the niche market they targeted.
However, he saw the need for better management and proposed $300,000 for a 30% stake in the company, with the condition that a professional manager be hired to run the business.
After some negotiation, Pete and Gus accepted Herjavec’s offer, securing the investment they needed to help grow their business and take Hamboards to the next level.
This experience on Shark Tank provided Hamboards with the necessary funding and exposed the brand to a national audience, both of which were pivotal in the company’s growth.
Final Deal: Robert Herjavec agreed to invest $300,000 for 30% equity in Hamboards.
What Happened To Hamboards After Shark Tank?
The exposure and investment Hamboards received from appearing on Shark Tank substantially impacted the business. The episode’s airing significantly boosted brand awareness and product demand, often called the “Shark Tank Effect.”
With Robert Herjavec’s investment, the company was able to professionalize its operations, improve production processes, and expand distribution. They hired a professional manager, as agreed, to run the business side, enabling the Hamborg family to focus more on product development and design.
Sales reportedly skyrocketed post-Shark Tank, with the company selling as many boards in the weeks following the episode as they had in their entire first seven years of operation.
The increase in demand meant Hamboards had to streamline their manufacturing process to meet the higher production volumes, which they did by contracting part of the manufacturing to local businesses.
Their product line also expanded, offering various boards and branching into other surf-inspired products like street paddles. The paddles provide riders with a workout similar to stand-up paddleboarding but on dry land.
They also started selling their patented HST trucks separately for those who wanted to customize their boards. In addition to domestic growth, Hamboards also started shipping internationally, expanding their customer base around the globe.
The visibility they gained from Shark Tank helped establish their brand as a novelty and a significant player in the skateboarding and surfing industries. Hamboards is still in business and continues to cater to surf and skate enthusiasts with its unique line of products.
Hamboards Shark Tank Update
After appearing on Shark Tank, Hamboards, a company that sells skateboards resembling surfboards, experienced both success and challenges in its business. Here is what happened to Hamboards:
- Boost in Revenue: Following their appearance on Shark Tank in 2014, Hamboards experienced a significant boost in revenue. They surpassed $1 million in sales in the first year, showcasing the positive impact of their exposure on the show.
- Decrease in Sales: However, the subsequent year saw a decrease in sales for Hamboards, with revenue dropping to $447,000. This decline raised concerns about the company’s long-term viability.
- Robert Herjavec’s Deal: On Shark Tank, Hamboards struck a deal with investor Robert Herjavec. He offered $300,000 for a 33% stake in the business. Other sources mention that Robert Herjavec invested $300,000 for a 30% equity share.
- Advice from Robert Herjavec: To ensure profitability, Robert Herjavec advised the founders of Hamboards to reduce costs by 10%.
- Product Line Expansion: Despite the absence of updated sales numbers, Hamboards continues to operate and has expanded its product line. They now offer the “Carve” collection, apparel, and accessories. This indicates the company’s efforts to diversify its offerings and appeal to a broader customer base.
- Distribution Channels: Hamboards expanded its distribution channels and made its products available in approximately 60 skate shops nationwide on Amazon and its official website. This wider availability allows customers to purchase their products easily.
- Sustained Presence: Hamboards are a success story resulting from their appearance on Shark Tank. The company has been operating for over 16 years and is still in business, showcasing its ability to maintain a sustained presence in the market.
Hamboards experienced a boost in revenue after appearing on Shark Tank but subsequently faced a decline in sales. Despite the challenges, the company continues to operate, expand its product line, and distribute its skateboards and related items through various channels, including skate shops, Amazon, and its official website.
Is Hamboards Still In Business?
According to our research, Hamboards is still in business. Hamboards remains operational and continues to produce and sell its surf and skateboard boards, paddles, accessories, and gear.
They have expanded their product line to include apparel and accessories. Hamboards have been in business for over 16 years, but no current sales data is available in the available sources, indicating their continued operation and success.
What Is the Net Worth of Hamboards?
According to our research, the net worth of Hamboards is estimated to be $2 million. The valuation of Hamboards was $1 million after securing a deal from Robert Herjavec on Shark Tank.
Also, read about other notable businesses from Season 5 of Shark Tank:
