When families launch a startup together, it’s easy to root for them, especially if they’re chasing something fun. That’s basically what happened when the Clark family brought their company, Tandem Boogie, onto Shark Tank in Season 12. The Clarks pitched a giant two-person boogie board and wanted to partner with experienced investors. They had only just started, with $43,000 in early sales mostly from Kickstarter backers, and they were asking for $100,000 for 10% of their very young business.
Their boogie boards were retailing at a premium price—$459 each—but actual production costs were about $150. That gave them solid margins, but breaking into water sports retail and building an online audience isn’t cheap or easy. The Sharks, as expected, had questions about experience and staying power.
The Pitch: Hope, Doubts, and a Surprising Offer
During the pitch, the Sharks immediately picked up on a few red flags. The water sports gear market is crowded and sometimes seasonal. Plus, Tandem Boogie was just two months old when they walked through the doors. Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, and Kevin O’Leary all dropped out pretty quickly, putting pressure on the family to make their case to the remaining Sharks.
Robert Herjavec saw something in them—maybe because he’d done well with another family business before. Guest Shark Daniel Lubetzky was also interested, but they wanted a bigger slice of the company. Robert and Daniel countered the original ask with a $100,000 offer, but for 35% of the business instead of 10%. That’s a big jump, especially for founders. The Clarks thought it over and decided it was worth the trade-off, so they accepted the deal.
Looking back, it was a turning point. The family traded away a chunk of their company, but gained Shark partners with deep pockets and big networks.
After the Show: A New Name and New Products
Get featured on national TV, and things change fast. The episode sparked a huge spike in web traffic to Tandem Boogie’s site. Orders poured in for their double boogie boards. Social media followed. It was a rush, but they used that momentum to make some serious moves.
Not long after, the Clarks rebranded their business. Tandem Boogie became TANDM Surf. The new brand felt less like a Kickstarter project and more like a legit water sports company. The product line grew, too. They rolled out paddleboards, traditional surfboards, water paddles, swim flippers, and even branded clothing. It was clear they wanted to branch out, not just ride a single-product wave.
Customers who had watched them on TV started coming back for new gear. Families who enjoyed the original board liked the option to grab other water toys all from one site. The business shifted from “that quirky Shark Tank board” to a brand focused on beach fun for groups, families, and anyone wanting to share the waves.
Business Moves and Major Milestones
By October 2023, TANDM Surf had hit over $1 million in lifetime revenue. For a company that launched in the middle of a pandemic and only existed for a couple of years, that’s no small feat. The Shark Tank bump gave the business more than just a sales boost—it also brought credibility. Retailers and rental shops paid more attention, and that let them ramp up their reach.
One twist you might not expect: TANDM Surf began offering rental services. Instead of just buying boards outright, people could rent them by mail across the country, or in person through their Orange County, California outpost. This opened the door for beachgoers, Airbnb owners, and vacationers who didn’t want to commit to a big purchase but still wanted to try the product with friends. It also smoothed over the sticker shock for new customers, since $459 isn’t pocket change for most families.
It’s a clever switch, addressing both seasonal demand and the fact that not everyone lives near a surf spot year-round. Rental revenue helped bolster the business during months when direct sales slowed.
Where’s TANDM Surf Now? (2025 Update)
As of early 2025, TANDM Surf is still up and running and isn’t resting on the Shark Tank laurels. Their product catalog has continued to expand, and they still offer both sales and rentals—two revenue streams instead of one. Their estimated company net worth is about $426,000. That’s a decent position for a niche sporting goods company, especially one that started with a family pitching to TV investors just a few years back.
Customer reviews are generally positive, with lots of families mentioning how fun the boards are for all ages. Group activities on the water tend to invite laughter and competition, so it’s a strong fit for birthday parties, surf lessons, and vacations. Some customers felt the boards were heavy, but appreciated how sturdy and long-lasting they seemed. Whether that’s worth the price depends on how much you’ll use it, but the “fun factor” shows up in a lot of the online feedback.
On the business side, TANDM Surf isn’t dominating the entire water sports market, but the brand has earned a spot for itself. They focus on group activities and making beach days more interactive—something a lot of surf brands overlook.
Key Facts About Tandem Boogie / TANDM Surf
Here’s a quick reference table covering the major facts and milestones over the past few years:
| Aspect | Details |
|——————————-|—————————————————————–|
| Original Ask on Shark Tank | $100,000 for 10% equity |
| Final Deal | $100,000 for 35% equity (Herjavec & Lubetzky) |
| Rebranding | Now known as TANDM Surf |
| Product Expansion | Paddleboards, surfboards, flippers, water paddles, apparel |
| Locations | Orange County, CA shop and national mail-order rentals |
| Lifetime Revenue (Oct 2023) | Over $1 million |
| Estimated Net Worth (2025) | $426,000 |
| Company Status in 2025 | Still active, expanding product lines and rental options |
If you’re tracking trends in the water sports industry, the company is a good case study. The Clarks pivoted their business model several times, kept adding new ways for people to use their products, and didn’t freeze up when sales flattened in the off-season.
How the Tandem Boogie Story Connects to Wider Business Trends
The TANDM Surf journey shows how exposure from a show like Shark Tank can speed up a small company’s growth. A lot of brands get a spike in web visits after airing, but it takes attention and flexibility to keep that momentum going. The Clarks used their initial TV boost to fund new product development and branch into rentals, which added more reliability to their revenue.
Rebranding can seem like a risky move, but in this case, it helped shake the “one product wonder” vibe. TANDM Surf now feels more serious—not just as a brand, but as a direct-to-consumer shop for people who actually love being in the water. Rentals make things accessible and lower the barrier for people who want to try something new without buying outright.
The company’s story lines up with what’s happening across a lot of small sports brands lately. They’re going direct to consumers, keeping supply chains tight by handling more logistics themselves, and reaching customers both in-person and by mail. By mixing retail with rentals and keeping products fresh, TANDM Surf stayed relevant through pandemic disruptions and changing shopper habits.
If you want to see more examples of family-driven business pivots or smart branding, you can check out businesses covered at Aureo Business, which also highlights companies transforming their industries.
Conclusion: A Family Brand Grows Into a Water Sports Player
Tandem Boogie—now TANDM Surf—didn’t explode into a billion-dollar surf brand overnight. But the company did use its time on Shark Tank to speed up growth, rebrand with confidence, and add enough product lines to bring in lasting revenue. Their focus on group fun, rentals, and family-friendly experiences makes them stand out from cookie-cutter surf shops.
They’re not the only company trying to surf the Shark Tank wave, but TANDM Surf has shown how a startup can ride a big boost to steady, sustainable growth. The Clarks set out to build a brand that got people sharing the water—not just chasing the next trend. And as of 2025, they’re still in the game, growing steadily and adapting to what customers want next.
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