Slyde Handboards 2016- A Year of Epic Bodysurfing Proportions

2016 is slowly slipping away and as we look back, I can say with some confidence that not only in the life of Slyde, but in our own personal lives, 2016 has been easily one of the best years to date. From the birth of our daughter, Venice. To standing in front of 8 million people on the Shark Tank. It has been a year to remember.

Venice Rose doing her best to help with packing this festive season!

The first seeds for Slyde was sown when I was just 16, back in 1994. It was the first time I knew this was what I wanted to do with my life, for one simple reason “it was fun”.  Slyde didn't start in earnest till the chance meeting in the summer of 2010 with someone who is now one of my closest friends, Russell.  Russ along with me saw the potential for an amazing sport, and so the dream was born in Russ’s Venice Beach garage. We spent many long, fun nights in that garage building our passion. Without the help of Russ there would be no Slyde. Thanks Bud!

Russ Me and Willy Cole at our first Surf Expo in 2011 - A big shout out to the Cole man for being there from the beginning 

It was the faith and trust that Russ showed in me from the beginning that it became very obvious to me that companies are built on relationships. It has become the corner stone of who we are as a group of people that anyone that comes into contact with us becomes part of our family and community. We truly believe that Slyde is nothing without the relationships we have built over the years.  We are truly thankful for the way you have brought us into your lives. You have truly made our lives richer.  

Our Community has grown year over year into something I could only have dreamed of back in 2010. I am truly proud of the difference we have made in people’s lives and they have made in ours. From creating lifelong friends to helping people experience the ocean in a very different and amazing way.  

I would like to personally thank everyone that has supported us over the years, and wish you and your family a very merry Christmas and an amazing new year.

Steve

Enjoy these EPIC highlights from 2016:

January

• Surf Expo FL
• Slyde an Amazon Exclusive Company
• Non-profit co-labs= OC Coastkeeper, Coastal Playground, Walk on Water
• Npi productions goes into production- Slyde How To Videos
  
  

• February

• French Waterman Fred Davidreceives Slyde Handboards
  
  

  March

• Jack's Surf ShopsSell Slydes
• Sean Enoka Featured in Midweek Hawaii newspaper
  
  

  April

• Shark Tank Airing announcement
• Shark Tank Airs with Live viewing party
• Ashton Kutcher& Mark Cuban join Slyde team
• Slyde featured in Forbes, NYT, Business Insider
  
  

  May

• Slyde Tahiti Waterman Tour launches
• Slyde Summer tour kicks off at Scrips Pier
• Ron Jon Surf Shops sells Slyde
• Wake SlydingCarlsbad
• 2 Full-time employees join the Slyde team, Auntie Joyce & Michelsle
  
  

  June

• Slyde joins Mark Cuban Collection
• Surfing announced for Summer Olympics 2020
• Slyde Wins OC Business Journal for "Best Up and Coming Business"
• Slyde part of SIMA
  
  

  July

• 1st Slyde Demo Day on East Coast
• Slyde Handboards Breaks of 10k Instagram Followers
  
  

  August

• Slyde goes to Outdoor Retailer
• World Bodysurfing Championships Oceanside-
  Dylan 1st in Divison, Aug 3rd, Makena Women's Grand Champ
• Makena Magro becomes official Slyde Team Rider 
• Chubascos Bodysurfing Contest was well represented by Slyders:
  Angela enters super prego, in the handplane contest Augie Cunningham is the Handplane grand champion, Joe Knickerson 3rd, Chaplin Page 4th, Jake Keville 5th
• Kick Off FB living streaming at office & Instagram Stories - behind the scenes Slyde life
• Launch of new & epic Ambassador Program 
  
  

  September

• 2nd Annual  Oahu Slyde & Kaha Nula Bodysurf Championships
  
  

  October

• Carlos finishes 365 day wave riding challenge, $280 for skin cancer awareness
• Tales of Tahitistory revealed
• First surf park is unveiled in Austin Texas
• Halloween: Slyde baby named Venice is soon to be born!
  
  

  November

• After a 2 year hiatus The Phishmodel classic speed board returns
• Limited Edition "Gold Member" added to The Wedge family
• "Beach Lovers Gift Guide" Drops 
• "Tales of Courage: Finding Peace in The Ocean" Story Shared
• The Slyder Cup 3.0 contest takes place in the UK
  
  

  December

• Launch of Epic Lifeguard Discount Program
• Launch of Blog Contributor Program
• 1st Copa Slyde Peru Bodysurf & Handboard Competition
• Black Handstrapreleased 
• Slyde hosts 1st Grom Birthday Party in HB
• Slyde named 1 of Mark Cubans favorite Shark Tank investments