CLEARWATER, Fla. — Rich Allen loves the Tampa Bay area especially our weather, our water and our stingrays.
The graceful sea creatures "just define Tampa Bay," Allen says.
When the British-born triathlete, who competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, created a new watersports and lifestyle brand, he knew exactly what to name it: Stingray.
"I wanted to create something that was inspired by Florida and Florida living," Allen says.
The Clearwater-based brand sells state-of-the-art open water wetsuits and inflatable standup paddleboards.
Stingray also partnered with three-time Olympic gold-medalist swimmer Brooke Bennett on a line of goggles.
Allen says they are "professional-grade products," but at a realistic reduced price for the consumer.
Let's get back to those stingrays.
Allen spent great chunks of his life in the water. So when he launched Stingray, he knew he wanted to protect his favorite playground.
His company now gives back 10 percent of product sales to ocean charities voted on by the customers.
Allen also has his staff spend several paid days a year cleaning up Tampa Bay area beaches and waterways.
For more information on Stingray, click here.
