Ecto on TV's Shark Tank Australia

On 19 September 2017, Ecto Founder Chris Anderson, 27, received a helping hand with his new business through the powers of the reality television show Shark Tank.

Shark Tank is a program where entrepreneurs pitch their idea in the hope of finding an investor. Founder of Red Balloon Naomi Simson offered $100,000 for a 50 per cent share in Ecto Handplanes – a bodysurfing handplane wave riding tool that’s designed by upcycling surfboards.

“People at first glance don’t understand what the product is so I guess [going on the show] was to raise awareness of the product and gain exposure for the business,” Mr Anderson said. “It’s one of the few platforms in which you can explain things in detail and people listen.”



Illawarra surf stores like Finbox Thirroul, Surf Pit Corrimal and Zink Kiama have already been big supporters of Ecto Handplanes, while David Jones is also on board – upping their distribution from 10 stores to 24 since the episode was filmed at the end of last year. The bodysurfing handplanes are also sold at a long list of independent surf stores throughout Australia and now the online gifting platform Wrapped by Red Balloon.

Anderson hopes now the Shark Tank episode has aired the phones will run hot with more businesses wanting to stock his product, and that more people are aware of the bodysurfing community and give it a go!

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Photo: Courtesy of Network 10
Words: Illawarra Mercury