“No Fried Eyes” – KURTIS USA changes the face of surfing and solves surfer fried eyes with the launch of the Makaha Surf Goggles.
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The “Makaha Surf Goggles’” patented technology offers revolutionary change in eyewear and how surfers view waves.

Hermosa Beach , CA August 29th, 2008 – KURTIS USA , a surfer owned company announces the launch of the Makaha Surf Goggles designed to help surfers avoid the glare and protect their eyes from the damaging sun.

The Makaha Surf Goggles– a name inspired by the legendary surf spot off of Oahu – are  flexible, polarized, 100% UVA/UVB, float and hand crafted in the USA .  Designed for surfing and created with all aspects of surfing in mind the Makaha’s are the answer for squinting surfers everywhere.  This new design joins KURTIS’ flagship model, the Duke, and the Kaiser Bowls that were launched in late 2007.

The inspiration for surf goggles came from inventor and founder Kurt Shipcott, a lifelong surfer and Orange County native more than 10 years ago.  “I was used to wearing my sunglasses on the beach, but I didn’t have that option in the water,” said Shipcott.  “Over time I developed a pterygium, a callous-like growth on my left eye, due to excessive sun and wind exposure.  The itchy red growth began to obstruct my vision and resulted in surgery (very common among surfers).  I knew that if I wanted to surf for the long-term, I needed to protect my eyes.”  When other surfers spoke about their eye discomfort (ranging from headaches to cataracts) he saw a need and started making prototypes in his parents’ garage.

The Makaha Surf Goggles will be unveiled at the ASR (Action Sports Retailer) Tradeshow, which will be held September 4-6 at the San Diego Convention Center .  The media and core surf retailers are invited for a special product preview at the show.

The Makaha will be available for purchase September 4th along with the Duke and Kaiser Bowls at core surf shops and online at www.KurtisUSA.com  for $199.00, which includes the surf goggles, Melon Strap head strap, Quick Release Money Leash neck attachment, a high quality lens cloth, tips guide and a convenient well-ventilated KURTIS storage container.

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ABOUT KURTIS USA

KURTIS USA is a surfer-owned company based in Hermosa Beach , California that is dedicated to providing high quality surf goggles to core male and female surfers around the world.  KURTIS manufactures its goggles in the USA and tests all new products in the waves of California , Hawaii and undisclosed surf spots around the world.  To learn more about Kurtis USA , please visit www.KurtisUSA.com or contact Kurtis USA at (310)529-5707.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbTu-60V8sY Barrett Perlman – Kurtis Team Rider

STOP KOOK EYE - "Everyone is aware of the need for sunscreen on their skin, but more and more research has shown the cumulative damaging effects of sunlight on the eyes," says Dr. John Hovanesian, a leading eye surgeon with Harvard Eye Associates and internationally renowned researcher and speaker on pterygiums and other eye diseases. "This UV exposure is especially damaging during water sports with the double assault of the sun coming from above and the reflection coming from below."