A YOUNG Limerick entrepreneur has created what he hopes will become the “Irish Swiss Army knife” of the world’s 17 million surfboarders.
Nick Ryan’s SurfBuckle is a belt buckle that doubles up as a multi-purpose tool to allow surfers tighten or remove fins from their boards. It has a sharp edge for removing old wax and a “wax comb” to improve grip.
It also acts as a bottle opener for the all-important post-surf beer.
Mr Ryan’s fledgling surf-wear company LirChild is using the Fundit.ie website to raise €30,000 to start producing the SurfBuckle.
Fundit.ie allows supporters to pledge money towards a project, in exchange for a reward such as a copy of the product created, but they only have to pay if the total amount being sought is achieved.
Mr Ryan, who studied marketing and entrepreneurship at University of Limerick, got the idea for the SurfBuckle when a friend was stuck at an airport without the necessary hex tool to remove the fins from his board.
“I began thinking you might forget a hex tool but you never forget your belt,” said Mr Ryan.
LirChild has developed prototypes in plastic and aluminium, but ultimately it will be built using “bio-plastic” from a French supplier and hardened P20 steel for the hex key. “I want to get this built in Ireland by a medical device manufacturer,” said Mr Ryan. “The quality is really important as the product can’t be a gimmick – it has to be a tool.”
Mr Ryan hopes to sell the product for €35 including a belt, but those who pre-buy it at Fundit.ie will get it for €25. LirChild’s clothing products are on sale in surf shops around Ireland.
