Hamboards Skateboards Update | Shark Tank Season 5

Pete Hamborg wanted to teach his sons how to surf, by making them a giant skateboard. When he made his first board, he realized he had created a great product. His Son Gus Hamburg, and cousin Donnie Sandusky have gone into business together to sell their boards. Will they earn a deal on Shark Tank Season 5? Find out in our Hamboards update! 

Shark Tank Hamboards Update

Hamboards Update

  • Entrepreneurs: Pete Hamborg, Gus Hamborg, Donnie Sandusky
  • Business: Specialty skateboards 
  • Ask: $100,000 in exchange for 15% equity
  • Result: $300,000 in exchange for 30% equity
  • Sharks: Robert Herjavec

Pete, Gus and Donnie brought their Hamboards skateboards to the tank. Pete shared that in wanting to help teach his five sons how to surf, he made a large skateboard that was proportioned like a surfboard. Despite his efforts, it wasn’t quite right, that is, until his wife accidentally backed her car over it! The resulting damage flattened the parts containing the skateboard’s wheel axles just enough that it moved more freely, just like a real surfboard. That’s when he began selling the product.

Carving Burst Surfskate (Flow Rida)

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The sharks were impressed with Pete’s boards right away. Robert Herjavec and Daymond John both took them for a spin and agreed that they were as fun as they looked. When Robert asked for the sales numbers, Donnie said that Hamboards had made $225,000 in the 12 months prior to filming, and they were on track to make $350,000 before that year’s end.

Lori Greiner said that demand on the West Coast wouldn’t necessarily translate into sales in landlocked states, so she was the first shark to drop out. Mark Cuban didn’t believe he would get the return he’d need on an investment, so he too went out. Kevin O’Leary disagreed with the company’s valuation, and was the next shark to go out.

Daymond was interested in investing in the company and then immediately licensing the boards and merchandise. He offered $150,000 in exchange for 30% equity. Robert was next to show interest, offering $300,000 for 33% equity. Donnie countered Robert’s offer, asking him for $300,000 for 30%, and Robert accepted the deal. 

With a deal from Robert, what do you think happened next for Pete, Gus and Donnie’s company? Keep reading our Hamboards update to find out!

In our Hamboards update research, we found that the company’s business is booming. In the year following the Shark Tank appearance, the company had over $1 million in sales. Robert helped Hamboards cut their costs by 10%, and business is booming. The boards currently sell in nearly 60 skate shops across the country. Products are available on Amazon as well as on the Hamboards website.

Would you like to learn about the other companies featured on Season 5 Episode 4? Follow the links below for our other company updates from the episode.

For even more on companies and products, be sure to stop by our Season 5 Products Page!

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Andrew Smith is the founder and owner of Shark Tank Recap. He is a longtime Shark Tank fan that has been watching it for years and has seen every episode multiple times. His friends know him as the Shark Tank expert, because he can answer any question about the show! His favorite Shark Tank products are Bertello's pizza oven and Bug Bite Thing!