Rock-It Surf launches magnetic shark-deterrent boards in Australia

Rock-It Surf has brought its SHARKGUARD surfboards and bodyboards to Australia, combining embedded magnets and a striped underside pattern in soft-top boards sold through its local Shopify store and wholesale partners. The lineup is designed to reduce shark-encounter risk for recreational surfers and bodyboarders without batteries or added gear.

Why it matters: - Rock-It Surf is selling a built-in shark deterrence system in boards used by beginners, children, surf schools, and recreational surfers. - The product targets common nearshore surf settings where people want added protection without changing how they paddle out or ride. - The design avoids batteries, charging, or wearable add-ons, which makes the safety feature passive and always on.

What happened: - Rock-It Surf launched its SHARKGUARD lineup in Australia on Oct. 19, 2026. - The launch covers surfboards and bodyboards with a patented integrated magnetic shark deterrent system. - The boards are available nationally through Rock-It Surf Australia's Shopify store and wholesale partners in New South Wales and Victoria. - The lineup is now available at Rock-It Surf Australia.

The details: - SHARKGUARD uses epoxy-coated rare-earth neodymium magnets embedded directly into the foam beneath the HDPE slick bottom. - Each bodyboard contains four magnets, and each surfboard contains six magnets. - The magnetic field is intended to interact with sharks' Ampullae of Lorenzini, the electroreceptor organs sharks use to navigate and hunt. - Rock-It Surf says the system creates discomfort for sharks without causing harm and can disrupt an unwanted approach before it becomes an encounter. - The boards require no batteries, no charging, and no additional equipment. - The integration adds no noticeable weight, seams, or bumps, and the boards are designed to surf like other Rock-It Surf products. - The lineup also includes a zebra-stripe underside pattern inspired by University of Western Australia research from 2013 on high-contrast patterns deterring shark approaches. - Rock-It Surf says the magnetic and visual layers reflect claims grounded in peer-reviewed science. - The 2026 lineup includes a 42.5-inch Magic Carpet Bodyboard, 4'10" Chonk, 4'10" Da Wizard, 5'6" Alberto, 6' Rubix, 7' Tiderunner, 8' Joyrider, and 9' Boardwalk. - Surf-school-specific models are also available. - The boards are made with marine wooden stringers with epoxy nano-coating, proprietary EPS foam, UV-resistant soft-top material, and a facility that uses collected rainwater. - Rock-It Surf says no harmful dyes, glues, resins, or toxins are used. - Every board carries a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects.

Between the lines: - The launch is aimed at risk reduction, not absolute protection. - Rock-It Surf compares SHARKGUARD to a seatbelt: it can reduce risk without eliminating it. - The company says testing and existing research show effectiveness against multiple shark species, including bull sharks. - Rock-It Surf also says a full-force ambush strike from a large apex predator, such as a charging great white shark, may not be deterred by magnetic field technology. - The emphasis on soft-top boards points to a narrow use case: shallow-water, recreational surfing rather than remote breaks or deep reef passes. - The pitch blends safety, convenience, and parental peace of mind, which signals a consumer product aimed as much at reassurance as performance.

What's next: - Rock-It Surf is taking wholesale inquiries from surf shops, surf camps, schools, rental businesses, outdoor retailers, and co-brand partners across Australia. - More product information and visual testing are available on the company's site. - The brand's social updates are available on Rock-It Surf Australia's Instagram.

The bottom line: - Rock-It Surf has turned shark deterrence into a permanent board feature, betting that parents, beginners, and surf businesses will pay for passive protection that does not change the riding experience.