Surfers and Wakeboarders Agree, Driftline Wetsuits Shred

ONE37pm: So when did you know you wanted to make a surf product? 

Horbatuck: I’ve always been entrepreneurial. I was writing blogs in NY [that were] surf, grunge-esque. And I just kept that going when I moved out here.

I was surfing one day, on a typical San Diego summer day. It was too warm for a wetsuit, but like too cold for trunks. And bumped into the apparel designer for Sector 9 and hit it off.

ONE37pm: I know that too hot, too cold feeling all too well. It’s a real thing. Most people think about the hot sun and beautiful palm trees in Southern California— but that Pacific Ocean can be a bit chilly. So what did the weeks after that interaction look like? 

Horbatuck: Over the next few months, the idea kept coming back. Eventually, I just cut a wetsuit and sewed it. It was super shitty, but this was it.

The “it” that Horbatuck is referring to is the whole idea of Driftline. On the outside, it looks like a normal pair of board shorts or swim trunks, but underneath is a lining of wetsuit to keep some of that precious heat close to your body.

Horbatuck: Our product launched in 2019… so we had 6 months before Covid. It was a grind. 

ONE37pm: How did you feel in those 6 months? 

Horbatuck: It was always a side thing. If it took off, sick. But the reception was exciting. The moment people put on the trunks, you could see it in their eyes. The official hurdle was tough. We needed to make this a product for watermen, by watermen. People needed to know this was for the water.

When Horbatuck referred to "watermen," I knew exactly what he meant. Despite people paying lots of money in property taxes in southern California, not that many people actually go in the ocean consistently.

This product is for people who are amphibious. It doesn't matter if it is a lake or ocean. The only thing that matters is that the person spends time in the water.

Horbatuck: It was an idea for surfing. Surfing was our core. But people in San Diego who surf, aren't just surfers. They are watermen. In this past year, we’ve exploded into wake life. We just sponsored the Michigan State Wake Board Team… and these guys are epic college bros who just shred. And they love our product.

Horbatuck: It was super authentic. I was surprised. I’m not usually nervous, but they really put you under the lights. They get these comfy chairs, and we are there for 2 hours. And they grill you for 8 minutes. So you really gotta know ur stuff.

ONE37pm: So what was the fallout like? You take a deal? Did going on the show help?

Horbatuck: We ended  up denying two deals, because it didn’t fit. We got a lot of outside pressure to take the deal. BUT, website traffic did skyrocket after the show aired.

The Summer is a busy time for companies in the beach apparel business. And now after the appearance on Shark Tank, people have been waiting on more sizes and colors.

Horbatuck: Within 24 hours, sold out 80% of our inventory — which was supposed to last for the whole summer.

It was a pleasure speaking with Driftline. Horbatuck was kind enough to dish out a pair of the new electric blue shorts, and let me tell you — they kick ass.