Christchurch’s Shark Seats has just relocated to larger premises following massive demand for its boat suspension seats – largely fuelled by the America’s Cup.

“With the greater speeds of these foiling yachts,” explains Shark Seats owner Paul Zwaan, “chase boats were entirely redesigned to keep up. Our hydraulic suspension seats absorb the enormous loads resulting from travelling at high speeds over choppy seas.

“With chase boats travelling at over 50 knots, the humans on board are the weakest link in these robust vessels. Suspension seats enable the skipper to keep his eyes on the horizon to react quickly.”

More than 150 Shark Seats have been installed on the Salthouse, Rayglass and Q-West vessels attending the America’s Cup. This includes the camera boat, team chase boats, boats carrying the course umpires and marshalls – as well as Coastguard and Police boats patrolling the harbour.

Most of the seats’ components are designed, produced and assembled in New Zealand and shipped all over the world. Clients range from recreational boaties wanting an attractive seat that also protects the spines and knees from injury, through to the Indonesian Navy, Philippines Police, Malaysian Coastguard and the Australian Army.

The company was formed back in 2011 when Zwaan’s design business – Zetec Ltd – was approached to develop a more cost-effective suspension seat solution. Since then the company’s production capacity has mushroomed, requiring the recent move to a 400m2m warehouse in Phillipstown, Christchurch.

For more information contact Paul Zwaan on 027 572 8555, email Paul@zetec.co.nz or visit www.sharkseating.com