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The SurfMuff® Story...

SurfMuff® was developed by a veteran surfer and retired product developer (over 40 yrs in the water & more than 25 US patents).  He also has a severe case of surfers’ ear (exostosis) and learned during his research that most surfers either don’t know about surfers’ ear or they don’t want to bother wearing protection. 

From his own experience he knew existing protection devices (plugs & hoods) could be a hassle.  Let’s face it, plugs can affect hearing and hoods are “overkill” for most cold water conditions.  No wonder people weren't wearing ear protection; and that's why the numbers of surfers with severe surfers' ear were rising rapidly.

"I heard so many horror stories about the dreaded "operation" (canaloplasty), that I decided to delay my own by developing something better than plugs, hoods or surgery.”

The consensus amongst the medical community is that Surfer’s Ear is caused by prolonged exposure to cold water. SurfMuff® takes a different approach:  rather than exclude water, SurfMuff® allows water to come and go.  Heat from the head rapidly equilibrates the ear region due to the neoprene insulation covering the ears.  After all, warm water surfers have a relatively low incidence of Surfers’ Ear.  It's the cold that causes the body's defenses to generate bone in the wrong places.

SurfMuff® is intended to aid in the prevention and management of surfers’ ear. 

Ugly Muff

Development began in early 2001.  "The 1st prototype was too ugly (see photo).  Testing different designs and materials finally led to a comfortable product that stayed on in the rinse cycle and was relatively inexpensive."  Patent and trademark protection were obtained while prototype testing went into high gear at home breaks between Solana Beach and Leucadia, CA (meaning mega-beach time - but hey, somebody had to do it).  A few friends even agreed to guinea pig early prototypes (thanks Howie).

Early prototypes were made by hand.  Different neoprene weights, surfaces and elasticities were evaluated.   By December 2001, a prototype survived an overhead session near Swami's, so focus turned to manufacturing and marketing.  Prototypes were shown to a number of wetsuit manufacturers under confidentiality.  Ultimately, manufacturing licenses were secured and distribution rights negotiated.

"We now have a low cost product that works.  Acceptance is growing aided by seasonal advertisements. SurfMuff® Ear Protectors are distributed worldwide.

The company is located in Encinitas, California. Retail & Wholesale are available.

Current licensees:  H20dyssey, SeeYouOutThere Sports (OZ/NZ), and SurfMuff UK (UK/Europe).

 

PATENTS