The POD Ware Journey: Innovation, Sustainability, and Timeless Design
About POD®: The Logic of Performance
Our Heritage: Protect Our Destiny (Since 1988)
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Since 1988, POD® has stood for Protect Our Destiny. Born in Australia, this philosophy has been our compass for over three decades. We don’t just build gear for a season; we build it for a lifetime of water sports adventures. From the first handboard prototypes to the latest in ear health technology, our mission is to ensure you can hear, feel, and experience the ocean for the rest of your life.
POD was founded by water lovers, for water people, long before it was cool to be "green." Our name says it all: Protect Our Destiny. That's not just a slogan; it's our philosophy. It's why we've spent over three decades designing gear that lasts, performs, and respects the oceans we love. From bodyboarding to bodysurfing, surfing to swimming, POD has evolved into a comprehensive watersports brand that always prioritises quality and never compromises on the planet. Our logo hasn't changed. Our values haven't either. Over 3 Decades Strong. Still Built for the Water. Still Protecting Our Destiny.
A Designer-Led Legacy
POD® remains a designer-led micro-brand. While the industry has shifted toward investor-led corporations, I remain "front and forward" in every decision. Every product in the POD stable is born of raw material knowledge and functional logic.
POD Ware innovation is all about purpose, down to the finest contour. Crafting high-quality and durable equipment is an integral part of our mission. A significant challenge, alongside functionality, is creating enduring forms that do not visually belong to any specific era.
Mechanical Truth Over "Marketing Fluff" We don't release "tiers" of quality. We don't make a "budget" version and a "pro" version. We make one high-end, professional standard, the best we can possibly engineer, and we offer it at a fair price for all. This ensures that the product you buy possesses a "timeless" quality and isn't designed to be replaced by next season's marketing cycle.
"I don’t release anything that isn’t worthy of my signature. If it doesn’t improve the user's experience through mechanical truth, it doesn't carry the POD® name." Shane Vassallo, Lead Designer and Founder.
Why POD® is "Like No Other": The Milestones of Logic
Our reputation for innovation isn't built on marketing fluff; it's built on solving the mechanical flaws that the rest of the industry ignored.
1. Handboards: Solving the "Lift and Plane" Puzzle
In the late 80s, handboards were just flat slabs. I realised that wood was the only way to prototype the complex concave bottoms and keel fins needed for true lift. We pioneered the Strap Bridge Design and the Natural Swimming Position strap. We didn't follow a trend; we engineered the sport.
30+ Years In The Making - The WOW Factor
The WOW 13" Evolution: Engineering the "Impossible" Thirty years ago, the materials didn't exist to build the WOW 13" Handplane. Today, we’ve moved beyond wood into a proprietary Custom PU Formulation that is 25% lighter than timber. In comparison, "Ocean Plastic" alternatives are often over 200% heavier (710g+), brittle, and physically inferior for high-performance use. By engineering Dynamic Flex Rebound, we’ve created a board that dampens the load on your joints while providing 100kg of hydrodynamic lift. It features the world’s first Ergonomic Palm Support, mirroring the natural curvature of the hand for a ride that feels like an extension of your body.
2. Swim Fins: Natural Rubber vs. Synthetic Shortcuts
The PF Fin Series: Unmatched Configuration and Comfort. To date, no competitor has come close to the PF Series shape and configuration. While others use stiff, synthetic rubbers that cause blisters, we chose Natural Malaysian Rubber, the "truth serum" of propulsion. We engineered three distinct models with specific and direct purposes, proving that elite functionality and all-day comfort can coexist through superior design. By inventing Splay Rails®, Vertical Rails, the Chisel Blade®, and Sic Cut® technology, we proved that power comes from blade flex and from how rails channel water, not just from how stiff the fin is.
3. The POD Connection: Eliminating the "Spiral Effect"
Most leashes fail because of "induced rotation." We identified that traditional angled slots force the connector into a rotational twist that over-spins swivels. We fixed it by engineering a True Linear Path connector that stays straight under a 105kg load. That is straight-up engineering for straight-up strength, not inflated Corporate Markups.
4. EarSeal Pro: The End of the "Fragile Filter" Era
The ocean destroys anything with "moving parts." We rejected high-priced modular earplugs that rely on fragile mesh filters, which clog with salt and fail in the turbulent impact zone. The EarSeal Pro uses Material-Engineered Acoustic Shaping and a triple-flange "sweet spot" to provide balanced sound and a superior waterproof seal without the "Tech Tax." At POD®, we believe you should only pay for the Mechanical Truth. Our one-piece design removes the fragile parts and the inflated price tag.
5. AquaLuxe and Tactical Gear: Integrity of the Seal
From the EverClear 180-degree curved lenses in our goggles to our HF-Welded Airtight Backpacks, the logic remains the same: The seal must be unbreakable. We replaced stitched seams (which leak) with high-frequency heat bonding and IPX6-rated waterproof zippers. If it can’t survive a heavy water turbulence or a tropical downpour, it isn’t a POD® product.
Sustainability Through Quality
Our commitment to the planet dates back to 1988. We believe the most sustainable thing we can do is produce gear that doesn't break and may outlast your lifetime. By using premium components like marine-grade stainless steel and natural Malaysian rubber, we ensure your gear stays in the water and out of the landfill.
These principles stem from our unique approach to design and our collaborative spirit, “listening” and working closely with you, the water people who support and love our products. This invaluable feedback loop allows us to continually refine and produce the best water sport lines possible.
Practical Original Designs: The POD® Standard
Beyond our core hardware, this same logic extends to every accessory we produce. Whether it’s our Fin Savers, Heel Pads, Neoprene Socks, AirDry-Capsule Eyewear Cases, or Airflow EarSeal Ear Plug Pouches, every item is a Product of Design (POD). We don't believe in "filler" products. If an accessory carries our name, it has been stripped of unnecessary complexity and engineered for a specific purpose: to keep you in the water longer. From the smallest stainless steel buckle to our most advanced handboard, the principle remains the same: Practical, Original, and Built to Last.
The Final Verdict
We leave the final verdict where it belongs, with you, in the elements. Whether you are a bodysurfer, a dedicated bodyboarder, a high-performance surfer, or a passionate swimmer, thank you for trusting POD® to be part of your next adventure.
Choose POD®. Stay Connected. Chase It® We Do - Hear the Ocean for Life.
Another page of interest is POD Bodysurfing Handboards History - Successful 30 Years.