Born in the waves of Santa Cruz, Surf Skull made a splash on national television last night on ABC’s Shark Tank. The startup, known for creating the world’s first low-profile surf helmet that looks like a bucket hat, pitched its newest innovation, Surf Skull Version 2, to the Sharks.

This redesigned helmet introduces the patent-pending Reeflex Slip Layer System — the first slip-layer technology ever applied to a surf helmet. The system helps manage rotational forces during high-impact collisions, making Surf Skull V2 lighter, more comfortable, and significantly more protective while maintaining its signature low-profile design.

The idea for Surf Skull began with a near disaster. Founder Davon Larson, a local surfer and product designer, sustained a serious fin cut to the head while surfing in Mexico. “Traditional surf helmets were bulky and awkward… not something I wanted to wear,” Larson recalls. “We set out to build something you wouldn’t feel self-conscious about in the lineup.”

Larson soon assembled a team of like-minded innovators — Kendall Larson Williams (operations), Paul Huang (finance), and engineers Aaron Christian and Owen Murphy — all of whom had close calls in the water. Together, they developed Surf Skull Version 2, a product that blends authentic surf culture with modern safety technology.

Following a successful Kickstarter campaign this summer that attracted backers from over 40 countries, Surf Skull is poised for global expansion. “We’re excited that Shark Tank will give this underrated concept of low-profile head protection the recognition it deserves,” says Williams. “We want people to feel confident protecting their heads and not self-conscious.”

The company’s appearance on Shark Tank led to a partnership with Daniel Lubetzky, founder of KIND Snacks, the newest shark, joining in October 2024. “I’m stoked (do I sound like a surfer yet?) to partner with Paul and Davon on Surf Skull,” Lubetzky said. “They’re already living by the rules of entrepreneurship — focusing on the right partner, staying disciplined, and knowing their numbers.”

With preorders shipping in December 2025, Surf Skull is gearing up for its next big wave — national exposure and a future where safety and style finally coexist in the surf world.

Watch Surf Skull’s Shark Tank pitch streaming today on Hulu.

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