Driftline on 'Shark Tank': What is the cost, who are the founders, and all about the men's watersports activewear
If you love all things water, then you know that the right swimwear is key to enjoying watersports. You need something light and durable that will survive all the wear and tear you put it through. Unfortunately, not many brands out there can hold up to these standards. However, one brand is out to change that -- Driftline!
But, while Driftline has been braving waters, will it be enough to impress Mark Cuban, Robert Herjavec, Kevin O'Leary, Lori Greiner, and Daymond John?
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What is Driftline?
If you've been looking for men's swimwear that doesn't disappoint, Driftline is what you need. As per the brand, "Driftline creates innovative, patent-pending activewear built for maximum performance in any watersport. Our products aim to fill a void in aquatic apparel by giving you the right gear to conquer the water with comfort."
Who are the founders?
Wes Horbatuck and Greg Orfe are the founders of Driftline. As mentioned on the website, the brand was born out of necessity. "We realized that these multi-season transition periods in the water are not only problematic for surfers here in San Diego, but also for wakeboarders, swimmers, kayakers, and many other watersport athletes across the globe. We tried every solution out there, but none of them seemed to offer the right comfort, warmth, or chafing protection," the duo said.
"It was at that exact moment that the idea for Drifties™ was born -- a specialized inner liner made out of wetsuit material, connected to a stylish outer boardshort shell -- giving us ideal support and flexibility in movement. This two-in-one option fills the transitional void and gives watersport athletes a comfortable, durable, and functional piece of apparel equipment to help overcome the challenges ahead," they explained.
In a conversation with Shoutout Social, Horbatuck explained that his family was his driving force. "When you start a business you will undoubtedly have to lean on some people. But as you lean, you have to ask yourself – will these people allow me to keep leaning, will they let me fall, or will they push me back up so I can stand on my own two feet?" he said. "My shoutout belongs to my parents, my sister, and my girlfriend. From being a constant support system, to fill-in sales people at events, to literally helping sew some product when we were having issues, they have been there," he added.
What is the cost and where to buy?
The brand's signature Wetsuit Lined Boardshorts retail from $89 onwards and can be purchased on the brand's website. As per the description, these shorts are "specifically designed for watersports, our patent-pending 0.5mm neoprene-lined boardshorts will provide the comfort and protection that you've been waiting for in the water. Featuring our upgraded 3.0 Features, stay sleek and styled with the style we've all been waiting for – our new black-on-black trunks."
They come with "Laser Cut Ventilation Holes, DWR Coating, Key Loop, Dipped Drawstrings". The brand certainly seems to have developed a following and has garnered largely positive reviews. One customer wrote, "Have been searching for a more robust trunk that protects, adds warmth, and feels great and comfortable immediately. These checked every box and then some!!! Bought a second pair right away! Exponentially better than the thin material trunks sold everywhere. American made, perfect design, thanks guys!!!"
Another happy customer added, "I live on my sailboat down off of Florida. I make a living cleaning the bottom of boats and being in the water. The black Drifties are perfect because I can go in and out of the water all day and they keep me comfortable. I bought 2 pairs of the black because I wear them so often even though they dry really quickly. They hold up great and I will be getting more for my longer excursion."
Another review mentioned, "Learning to surf and trying to figure out when to wear what. Tried going out in a full wetsuit a few weeks back and thought I was going to die it was so hot. Found a middle ground with the drifties and a rash guard. Super high quality and buttery soft neoprene. Keeps you warm where you want to be and helps you stay out there longer. Highly recommend. Did not improve my surfing abilities, however."
Where is Driftline now?
Driftline has certainly been making waves on social media, as they continue to stay active on their channels. The brand was recently a part of RinseKit® Portable Showers Creators and Innovators series, where their work and story were highlighted as shared in the following post, "As founders, we are often in situations where we're working with creatives to help promote and showcase Driftline. We have a brand - they are creatives - time to make something cool together. Every now and then it's awesome to have the tables turned and work with someone who sees us as the creative. That's exactly what @rinsekitusa is doing with their latest Creators and Innovators Series. RinseKit is much like Driftline as they created a unique product for the outdoor thrill-seekers. Their outdoor portable shower is always in our car ready to clean either me or my equipment off after a surf, paddle or sail. We recently had the pleasure of sitting down and sharing our story with them. Here's a small glimpse into our mind and the day-to-day as a waterman, outdoorsman, and founder."
Who will steal the deal?
Seeing that the brand falls under apparel, there is a good chance that Daymond John might be the one to take the bait.
'Shark Tank' Season 13 Episode 23 airs on ABC on May 13, 2022, at 8 pm ET. Catch the latest episode featuring products like Stryx, Driftline, Chill n Reel, and Springer.
Missed an episode? Been wanting to catch up? Episodes can also be viewed the next day on demand and on Hulu. Not just that, you can also watch old seasons and episodes on Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.