Shark Wheel
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sporting goods, Manufacturing |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Founder | David Patrick, Zack Fleishman |
| Headquarters | Lake Forest, California , United States |
| Products | Helical skateboard wheels |
Shark Wheel is a company located in California, established in 2012 by founders David Patrick and Zack Fleishman, that specializes in producing helical skateboard wheels. Departing from conventional round wheels, Shark Wheels incorporate an innovative three-dimensional sine wave pattern—a fusion between spherical and cubic forms—that improves overall performance. This distinctive design decreases rolling friction and adjusts to various surfaces by acting like both narrow and broad wheels, enabling quicker rides on solid ground and enhanced grip on softer terrain.
The company launched through a Kickstarter initiative that raised nearly eight times its initial target, earning endorsement from professional skateboarder Tony Hawk and achieving global use among competitors. Additionally, Shark Wheels gained increased exposure following their appearance on ABC's Shark Tank in May 2015.
Inventor
While developing an alternating wake turbine for renewable energy projects with support from the LA Cleantech Incubator and his enterprise 4sphere, David Patrick conceived the Shark Wheel shape. Originally designed as turbine parts, the sine wave components exhibited smooth rolling characteristics when adapted as wheels. The unusual form, reminiscent of a shark’s jawline, inspired both the brand’s name and visual identity.
Application
Shark Wheel’s skateboard wheels provide enhanced control over obstacles such as debris and moisture that typically challenge standard wheels. A segment on Daily Planet emphasized the wheels’ three-strip contact area, which enables faster travel, reduced rolling resistance, and superior traction across dirt, sand, and wet surfaces, minimizing hydroplaning compared to traditional designs. Tony Hawk praised their effectiveness particularly for downhill skating disciplines.
The initial design and production of Shark Wheels were launched by founder Patrick through a 2013 Kickstarter campaign that exceeded its $10,000 goal by raising nearly $80,000 from 1,094 supporters, resulting in the delivery of more than 1,000 wheel sets. Preorders remained available via the company’s website until April 2014.
In competitive events, skateboarder Eric Palmer achieved 4th place at Miami Ultraskate 2014 and secured 3rd at Philadelphia's Broad Street Bomb while using Shark Wheels; Casper Grette claimed victory at Norway’s Kongsberg Downhill in 2014 with these wheels.
Beyond skateboarding applications, Shark Wheels aims to serve markets traditionally reliant on upright wheels, including luggage casters, roller skates, scooters, as well as various transportation and industrial sectors.