SLIP SLIDING WITH SHORE SURFER: Destin youth designs a better board (PHOTOS)

Who better to design a skim-type board for kids than a kid.

Andy Herrmann, 12, of Destin has invented the Shore Surfer.

“Just run, kneel and slide,” Andy said.

“And you can go a lot further on the Shore Surfer,” he said before demonstrating how to slide along the surf’s edge.

To view photos from the demonstration, click here.

The idea for the board came about after he tried using his Boogie Board to slide along in the surf on his knees. However, he kept sliding off and getting brush burns from the sand on his knees.

So Andy went home with an idea in mind, and along with his dad, drew up what is now the Shore Surfer.

It looks a lot like a Boogie Board, but the Shore Surfer has handles along the side and a place to put your knees.

“We were kind of impressed that he saw a need,” said his dad Joe. “And with a little bit of changes, it made all the difference in the world.”

“It’s a cool board for the young kids,” Joe said. “It’s real easy for them to use … they are naturals on it.”

Joe, who has an engineering background, was able to do a pretty detailed drawing for the board.

So just for fun, after they had their design, they looked on the Internet to see what it would take to get a patent.

Joe said they hooked up with Justin Aiello of Aiello Designs who “steered them in the right direction.”

At that point they realized that there were no other boards out there like it.

“We sat back down as a family and we decided to go for it,” Joe said.

They hooked up with Xtreme Designs out of Washington for a short production run of proto-types of the board.

The Shore Surfer was designed with youth ages five to 16 in mind and can be used like a Boogie Board to ride waves or to skim and spin across the waters edge, without the hazard of standing on a board.

“Once you get the feel of the board you can do just about anything on it,” said Andy’s 14-year-old sister Katie.

Andy had a couple of the boards at the beach last week and he and friend Caden Ewing were giving them a test run.

“The handles help you to turn,” Caden said. “It’s really fun to use.”

The Herrmann’s now have 50 boards in hand and will be conducting free demonstrations from noon until sunset April 17 at Henderson State Park.

There will be free hotdogs and drinks offered at the demonstration, said Andy’s mom Linda. Also if you mention Shore Surfer when you come through the gate at Henderson Park you will get a discount on entry, Linda said.

The boards will be on sale at Henderson State Park with a portion of the proceeds going to park maintenance and improvement programs. Also 10 percent of the profits from the boards will go to the international charity Food For The Poor, Inc.

The boards will be on sale the day of the demonstration and party for $30. After that they will be on sale for $39.99.

“It’s a good alternative to a skim board,” Andy said. “A safe alternative,” Katie added.

For more information about Shore Surfer, go to www.shore-surfer.com.

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What you get with a Shore Surfer

•A strong, sturdy board that will last season after season.

•A soft foam top for a comfortable and slip resistant surface.

•Durable nylon web handles with foam grips for comfort and control.

•Ultra-slick bottom for speed and distance.

•Custom logo embroidered leash.