In 1986, Rick was a part time entrepreneur making Training Equipment and Supplies for Competitive Swimming Clubs across Ontario. That year he set in motion the 
Pull Buoys are a swim aid that assist in training the upper body by limiting a swimmers use of their legs while providing buoyancy.
The foam rods were a natural play toy in the water for children and adults alike.
a White Rod
Rick realized that prior to marketing the product, the White Rods needed an updated image that would set them apart in the marketplace.
Shaping the Image
There were three manufacturing companies in the region, all extruding white polyethylene foam for a variety of industrial applications. At that time, a three inch coloured extrusion of poly foam was not being produced.
Original design ideas of the Water Woggle involved coloured tape being applied to make stripes and patches on the original white rods.
An established local Pool Retailer in Oakville was approached to test market the response generated by the New Pool Toy. Approximately fifty Water Woggles were displayed one Saturday morning and were sold out by the end of the day. The following weekend, a hundred samples were delivered with the same end result.
