March , 2008

Aqua Sphere Acquires Zura Sports
Aqua Sphere is excited to announce the acquisition of Ohio-based Zura Sports, Inc., makers of award winning aquatic fitness products

US - “Through this acquisition, Aqua Sphere ensures continued innovation in developing specialized products for specific consumers – including fitness swimmers and triathletes,” said Olivier Laguette, Director of Marketing for Aqua Sphere. “As the aquatic fitness market continues its growth, the time is right to add to our unparalleled line of products.”

In past years, aquatic fitness - including water walking, deep-water running and circuit training - was mostly done by older adults. Now, people of all ages and athletic abilities, including professional athletes, are working out in pools to improve their strength and cardiovascular endurance and for rehabilitation. Statistics from the Aquatic Exercise Association shows that six million Americans workout in the pool, and participation has increased seven percent over the last two years.

Zura Sports, contributing to the aquatic fitness market for over 10 years, was founded in 1994 by Paul Reeder, an industrial designer and avid swimmer. The company’s first product was the multiple award-winning Speedray Kickboard, winner of the 1995 “Best of What’s New” award from Popular Science magazine. Zura’s swim products have also won awards from ID Magazine and the Industrial Designers Society of America; Reeder’s work has been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Business Week, and more.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for the contributions Aqua Sphere has made to the swim industry,” said Reeder. “I believe they are the best partner for Zura’s product distribution and growth. I want more swimmers – whether they’re swimming for fitness, training and conditioning for a race, or rehabilitating from an injury – to have wider access to our products.”

The Zura product line will complement Aqua Sphere’s line of eye protection, wetsuits, fins, and more, and includes the ErgoBelt™, ErgoBells™, FootFloats™, Stationary Swimmer, AlphaFins™, ErgoBoard™ and HydroGloves™.

Zura Sports Inc. has been converted to Aqua Sphere and will be available in its entirety May 2008.