Storing Surf Gear - TRUNQ Interview

FirstStoke.com talks with Dallas Hitchcock and Matt McPherson from TRUNQ about the TRUNQ surf utility box, taking care of your gear, and life as a start-up company in the surf industry.

What’s going on these days with you guys at TRUNQ?

We have had a boom of online success, fueled by the holiday buying season, since our rollout in November. January and February were much quieter but that gave us and our reps time to set up some retail accounts and help spread the TRUNQ name. March has already shown an increase in orders and we are hoping for great things this spring and summer. We have been talking with distributors around the world and should have some deals set up here in the next month or two. We are close to a deal with an Australian company who is pretty fired up on TRUNQ and our products.

What was the inspiration behind creating the TRUNQ brand?

Just like everybody else we had been using a typical storage container from the hardware store to transport our wetsuits and other wet gear. Every 3 or 4 months of consistent surfing, this low cost unit would break down at the corners or crack leaving a salty mess allover the car. So we would have to make another trip to the store for another $15 dollar tub. Meanwhile our dry gear was all over the place in the car and at home, nothing was where it needed to be when the surf was pumping. Wax in the cup holders, fin keys under the seats, leashes tangled with seatbelts, missing booties…. You name it. There had to be a better way… and TRUNQ was born.

How did you guys get started in the surf industry?

It is hard to grow up near the beach in Southern California without the surf industry being a part of your life, the culture that is. So when the idea came along we decided to take the plunge. Knowing little about the business side of things, we decided to put what little money and free time we had into making a dream come true. Running a surf company. So out of an apartment in Malibu, the business slowly took shape.

What’s it like to be a small brand in a world dominated by a few large companies?

It is tough. Your ideas have to be better. Your products must cost less. Your marketing must be more creative. And you must accomplish all of that with considerably less capital. Making a name for yourself in this industry is not easy.

What is it that makes TRUNQ unique, both as a brand and as a company?

We try to develop unique products that improve the life and sport for surfers while helping to maintain and protect the gear that fuels the sport. We strive towards the best customer service and look for the right personalities when hiring.

The key to your growth seems to be in your ability to take a grassroots approach to marketing. Talk to us about the TRUNQ grassroots community.

TRUNQ has been able to build a strong following using public networking sites such as Myspace, Action Profiles and First Stoke. Through these sites, we started a street team which allowed us to spread the word on TRUNQ without having to spend major marketing dollars. Word-of-mouth has been one of our best marketing tools. It is crucial in the surf industry to be accepted by your peers. And the best way to get their ear is through the kids. They are the buying force of the future and what they are interested in goes up the ladder and is heard by many of the influential people in the biz.

So TRUNQ is all about taking better care of your wetsuit and other gear. What is the biggest mistake people make in taking care of their wetsuit?

We are not going to come out and say surfers are making mistakes when taking care of their gear… it’s their gear, they can do what they want with it. We just give suggestions to keep it in the best possible condition and get the best performance from it. Wash it out fresh after every use being the most important, then keep it out of direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time, keep it out of sand/ dirt/ gravel/ asphalt when possible and don’t let it get funky so the seals stay intact. Peeing in your suit breaks down seals too.

What other advice do you have for surfers in keeping their gear tuned for top performance?

We check our fin systems once a week or so, so we don’t drop one. Using board bags and good racks to protect your boards. If you wear booties it helps putting a thin layer of wax on the sole before walking through the sand… equals traction. Make sure your leash is not stretched out after a big swell.

What does the future hold for TRUNQ? Do you guys plan on launching other products in the near future?

We definitely plan on things to come in the future. Different sized models…. Some added accessories… And some new products all together are in development. We have also had interest from many different markets with a need from TRUNQ or a like minded model. Cash flow and demand will drive the product growth of TRUNQ. For now we are just learning as much as we can, meet as many people as possible in the biz and try to make a name for ourselves.

Tell us a bit about the founders of TRUNQ and what you are all about?

We are surfers at heart. We both grew up in the southern California area surfing the beaches from Huntington to San Clemente. Both of us played water polo at a high level and went on to play at Pepperdine University where we met. Playing water polo together at Pepperdine helped to build a strong bond between us. This bond has helped us to grow TRUNQ into the company that it is today. Teamwork is very important in a business and having the foundation laid early for TRUNQ was a key to its success. We will always be surfers creating products to better the surfing experience. Thanks for checking out our company

For more information about TRUNQ check out the TRUNQ Profile Page.