User:Robcanales/ROKA Sports, Inc.

ROKA Sports, Inc.

ROKA Sports, Inc. is an American manufacturer of recreational and competitive swimwear and equipment for swimmers and triathletes. It was co-founded in 2010 and incorporated in 2011 by two former Stanford University Varsity Swimming Co-Captains, Rob Canales and Kurt Spenser.

Technology & Design

Drawing on their decades of experience as elite level swimmers, the ROKA co-founders have designed and developed a patent-pending wetsuit that optimizes body position and promotes proper rotation during the freestyle stroke. Kurt and Rob collaborated with pro triathlete Jesse Thomas for over a year to adapt the design of the Maverick Pro Wetsuit to suit the needs of non-elite swimmers, broadening the market for their products. Independent testing has shown it to be over 1.5 seconds faster per 100 yards than a leading competitor, and internal testing has shown it to be both faster and cooler (using a CorTemp core temperature tester) than leading competitors.

Results

On March 1, 2013, pro triathlete Meredith Kessler won Ironman New Zealand and finished "First Out of the Water" in the Maverick Pro Fullsuit, finishing the full distance Ironman swim in 47:37. Meredith finished four minutes ahead of the nearest pro female contestant and finished fourth overall on the swim. In 2012, pro triathlete Jesse Thomas raced in production samples of the Maverick Pro Fullsuit at Rev3 Maine and Ironman 70.3 Poconos, where he had lifetime best swims, finishing in the lead swim pack for the first two times in his career. He went on to win both races.