Sleeping with the Sharks
Announcement posted by Propel Public Relations 06 May 2016
Counting sharks not sheep is all in the name of conservation for interactive aquarium developer, Andrew Tindale. His latest venture, suitably dubbed ‘Sleeping with the Sharks’ is to create the world’s first affordable Underwater Resort Rooms.
The vision to establish a prototype interaction in South East Queensland, between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, stemmed from 28 years experience in the underwater world, including his involvement in the National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra and founding the Australian Shark and Ray Centres.
The multilevel, exportable design features landscaped gardens and a natural pool surrounding a sunken, 180-degree glass-wall hotel room, complete with bathroom, dining and lounge facilities on ground level.
Designed to excite adults and kids alike, but with a serious purpose, a feature of the interaction will be Fred - Andrew’s first Black Ray and also the largest species of Ray on earth, alongside Gigantor his 3m Tawny Nurse Shark.
The prototype is dependent on crowd funding with the goal of raising $35,000 with 100% of the funds raised going towards the construction of the prototype.
Put your hand in your pocket for as little as $20 for kids or $30 for adults, and you can call yourself a ‘Ray Wrestler’ and pat Fred and his friends in the pool. Or perhaps the JAWS big lunch reward is more your style where you and 20 of your colleagues and take lunch meetings to a whole new level for $800.
For nearly a decade, Andrew has been educating people about these intelligent and curious creatures.
“My team and I have welcomed over 300,000 people in the water with our sharks and rays over the past 8 years, patting and playing with some amazing critters. Despite their fearsome reputation, they are curious and intelligent creatures, who deserve a place in our oceans and estuaries.”
Andrew hopes the concept will change the way the world views these delightful and surprising animals and stop the unsustainable fishing and the cruel shark finning industry.
“There is no better education than interaction and having people really see these animals for what they are – which is worthy of our protection from total destruction.”
“We really want to show future partners around the world what Australia can produce.”
From glamping to individually designed underwater cabins at less than the build cost of a traditional 3 star motel room, this unique accommodation experience provides the benefit of having an educational attraction onsite as well.
“I really see this fitting in with existing resorts, attractions, zoos and even nurseries and education centres,” said Andrew.
The best aspect of this attraction is anyone can afford to play or stay with a shark and ray.
Instead of 100’s of dollars to interact with sharks or as much as $8,000 to sleep in an aquarium at The Palm Dubai, Andrew entails the cost for a night’s adventure with a difference to be $300 and from as little as $20 per person to interact. Making a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience accessible to all.
Visit the Prototype crowd-funding page
Follow our journey on Facebook
Media Enquiries:
For additional information, hi-res images, or to organise an interview please contact Andrew Tindale – 0429 999 127 – andrew@ozsharkandray.com.au or visit the Sleeping with the Sharks crowd funding page.