By Shaun Holmes
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Instagram: @waiikeltd
Take off – from the Chairman of the ‘Board’
As a young boy, I was petrified of getting into the water, but I was mad about boating on the water. My dad owned a boat shop and would attempt to lure me into pools and dams with all manner of water toys, but it was not until I went to school that my love for being in the water began. My stepfather, Clive, was an eager waveskier and bought our whole family of six, each a waveski. He showed us all the basics and took me to see the world waveski surfing titles at my home break, Nahoon Reef in East London, South Africa. I was captivated and immediately pronounced that one day I would be a champion.
Fifteen years later, I’d won numerous South African national waveski titles and had successfully made the finals of my first junior world waveski championship in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa. It had not been an easy ride. I had damaged my board, smashed out two fins, and the board had taken on water. Despite these issues, I told my girlfriend that I would win the following day. That confidence and hard work paid off, and the following day, I won the junior world waveski title.
Life in South Africa was amazing, but the desire to explore the world and surf new breaks was too strong. I worked in IT, and as much as I wanted to get paid to surf, I am a geek at heart and pursued a career in technology to fund my surfing adventures.
Eighteen years later, I find myself bald, still beautiful though, married to my wonderful Jenny, with three fantastic kids and on the cusp of a new venture Waiike.
Waiike, pronounced ‘wake’, was born out of frustration. Technology allows anyone to get almost anything delivered the next day; the problem is knowing which product or service is just right.
The world of apps
My tech career helped me identify a similar problem in the watersports market. The world of applications (apps) is super confusing, and almost every category has hundreds, if not thousands, of very similar apps to get a job done! Choosing the right app is time-consuming; however, the model allows for easy evaluation. You can create a free limited time period or functionality account or pay a monthly fee and use the application until you determine whether it is right for you or not. You still have to do the work to choose an eventual winner, but the barrier to entry is frictionless.
Waiike aims to provide a similar ‘watersports equipment as a service’ model. We will initially cover four primary watersports categories, Paddle, Surf, Wind and Novelty. You pick the equipment you feel you need or want for your desired duration. We will post it to the location of your choice (within the UK for now). You then go on your adventures. Take pictures; we would love you to share these with Waiike and have fun.
When done, drop your product at your local drop-off point, and it will be sent back to us. We will take care of the maintenance, storage and renewal. All you need to do is plan your next adventure. If you fall in love with a product and want to buy it, we can sell you a brand new one, or if the product you have has already served its Waiike allowed service hours, you may be able to buy it.
Preimary focus
Waiike’s primary focus is to offer a convenient way to hire watersports equipment. I wanted this service personally. As it did not exist, I have sunk all my tech entrepreneurial skills into making an online hiring experience that is easy to use, affordable and provides the best watersports equipment possible. I liken the service to having a wealthy mate with all the best kit who is happy for you to use it and just pay towards its upkeep and any breakages.
We currently work with the most trusted brands in our industry. Using Waiike will ensure you always get top quality products at competitive prices. Time is short. Buying the wrong kit can be costly in both time and money, not to mention frustrating! Waiike gives you the freedom to hire as many products as you like as often as you like, try everything, why not? The flexibility is refreshing. We cannot wait to help you enjoy the time you have on the water.
We welcome your feedback, thoughts and especially want to hear your product suggestions. If you own a brand and would like to work with Waiike. See you on the water soon.
