Tired of the daily struggle of unreliable public showers, two surfer buddies were inspired to create a practical, portable solution.
Good friends Deryn De Bruyn, who hails from Hillcrest, and Pascal Tostee, a Durban North resident, have been regulars to North Beach for years. They love the sun, the surf and the solace they find in the ocean. Since both work in two very different fields – Deryn in the chemical industry and Pascal manages a family-run surf shop – a morning trip to the beach has always been a great way for them to find balance in their lives and enjoy a happier, healthier, more productive day.
But what they didn’t love was the public showers at the beach – often out of order or occupied when they needed to get done and get to work. So, instead of getting frustrated about it, they opted for a different approach.
Deryn came up with a portable, pressurised shower design … one that could be used pretty much anywhere, anytime, and shared his idea with Pascal, an equally passionate environmentalist. Together, they put their best thoughts, ideas and energy into the mix. Little did they know that what started off with old wetsuits and a stapler would become a nationwide sensation in just three and a half months.
“On weekends, we could put up with the shower issues because there was no rush and we could head home to clean up, but week days were a problem. With the sea water being so dirty almost all of the time, rinsing off has become a necessity from a hygiene and cleanliness side of things. I often attend morning meetings so I need to be able to rinse off so I don’t smell of dirty Durban water,” says Deryn.
And so the Rinse It portable shower was born. With its simple but effective and durable design, and material carefully chosen for environmental consciousness – hardened ABS plastic and recycled neoprene from old wetsuits – this nifty gadget addresses both the challenge of neoprene disposal and the impracticality of existing portable shower options on the market.
“There are a few different options out there, many of which are too complex to use and most of which require a power source to operate, which isn’t available at the beach, in the bush or anywhere on the go really, say Deryn and Pascal. So these two surfers opted for a hand-operated pressurising system that allows users to fill the bottle anywhere and enjoy a continuous flow of warm water with a few pumps.
“It’s convenient, quick, easy and practical to use, with sustainability at its core, which really is everything we stand for as ocean and nature lovers.”
So how exactly does it work?
For beach goers … before you leave home, boil a pot or kettle of water and pour it into the main body of the shower kit. Top up with more hot or room temperature water, and then go and do your thing. By the time you want to use it, the water is still warm thanks to the shower kit’s neoprene jacket that provides insulation, keeping the water warm for up to five hours.
“When you’re ready, you just set the spray nozzle to the preferred shower setting, pump the handle a few times, and you are all set for a steady flow of water until the bottle is empty.”
You can choose between a five or eight-litre kit, and whether you’re hitting the beach for a surf or paddle, going fishing, or planning on a rustic weekend getaway, this locally engineered innovation will have you covered.
“There’s very little limit to where you can use it. I mean, we’ve got feedback from a guy who uses it to wash his dog because the dog is petrified of a bath. It’s also really cost effective from a water-wise side of things, because you use about a litre to a litre and a half when rinsing off, versus the beach showers that, when they do work, run until they stop by automation.”
Deryn and Pascal are also overwhelmed by the positive response they’ve received from local businesses and individuals who’re enthusiastically supporting their venture.
“Thanks to Pascal’s knowledge and connection to the surfing industry we’ve made some great contacts for the neoprene, and from a sales side he’s been invaluable,” says Deryn.
“The kits are currently stocked at local surf and fishing outlets like The Surf HQ, Basil Manning, SingleFin Surf Shop, 42 Surf, Island Style and Surf Centre. And we’ve now got a customer in New Zealand, so we’re expanding our reach globally.”
Both Deryn and Pascal attribute their success story to word of mouth, social media, and Durban’s thriving surfing community that values practical solutions. Looking ahead, they’re already strategizing a way forward that involves improvement to their current design, so that it really can flourish into a portable shower for all seasons.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, the two offer simple but sound advice.
“If you have an idea, go for it. As we continue to ride our wave of success, what we’ve created stands as a beacon of innovation and community spirit, reminding us all that sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective.”
Details: You can email [email protected] or contact 062 468 2046.
