Behind the scenes
Profits from this joint venture go to Wyland Foundation to continue promoting, protecting, and preserving the world’s oceans, waterways, and marine life.
Our Story
United by a common bond of SCUBA diving and a love for the oceans and nature, Wyland Foundation and Daytoon, Inc. formed Equalise Flavored Vodkas, LLC
In further nods to the sport of diving, the logo of the company pays homage to Jacques Cousteau’s Calypso and the company’s name refers to the techniques to equalise pressure in the ears when beginning a descent on dives. Profits from this joint venture go to Wyland Foundation to continue promoting, protecting, and preserving the world’s oceans, waterways, and marine life.
The vodkas will be distilled under the aegis of Blue Shark Vodka, LLC, a subsidiary of Daytoon, Inc. This joint venture continues and expands the philanthropic work of Blue Shark Vodka, LLC. Blue Shark Vodka has partnered with the Atlantic Shark Institute to support critical research and awareness efforts for blue shark conservation. This docile shark species is vital to ocean health and has been classified as near extinct.
The Wyland Foundation delivers art and science education directly to the children and communities where it’s needed most, including innovation in environmental stewardship for water conservation. The foundation is shaping the future through partnerships with the United Nations and programs like the National Art Challenge, Wyland World Water Pledge, and the Wyland Clean Water Mobile Learning Center. Wyland also designed the uniforms for the inaugural U.S. surfing team for the 2022 Summer Olympics.
Soon after, Blue Shark Vodka announced an upcoming special edition bottle featuring an original Wyland oil painting designed specifically for Blue Shark Vodka. Proceeds benefited the Wyland Foundation, founded in 1993 as part of his continuing effort to inspire millions of people to take action to ensure clean water and a healthy planet through art, science, and conservation. To date, the pair has crafted two limited edition bottles-which both sold out in two weeks! And both limited-edition bottles garnered coveted awards at SIP. All proceeds and profits from Equalise sales will be donated to the Wyland Foundation.
Wyland
The Detroit-born artist has been called a “Marine Michelangelo” by USA Today and recognized for his art and conservation efforts both by the United Nations and on the floor of the United States Congress. The Guinness Book of World Records has also recognized Wyland for painting the largest mural ever, covering 116,000 square feet (more than three acres): a giant ocean mural named Planet Ocean, dedicated July 9, 1992, on the Long Beach Arena convention center in Long Beach, CA. In recognition of Earth Day in 2009, he doubled the size of that mural by completing the largest portrait of the earth on the building’s three-acre roof — and in only 24 hours.
In 1993, he founded the non-profit Wyland Foundation as part of his continuing effort to inspire millions of people to take action to ensure clean water and a healthy planet through art, science, and conservation. The Wyland Foundation has partnered with the United Nations for the Wyland World Water Pledge to encourage all seven billion people to be water wise.
Today the artist is one of the most collected and appreciated artists in the world with artwork in museums, corporate collections, private homes in more than 100 countries.
Our Inception
Equalise began through a serendipitous series of events. Mark “Chief” Bloomquist, the Founder and Chairman of Daytoon, Inc. which is the parent company of Blue Shark Vodka, was enthralled with the beauty of the Whaling Walls created by artist Wyland and visited the Wyland Art Gallery in Laguna Beach, California. As a diving enthusiast who dove with Phillippe Cousteau off of Jacques Cousteau’s Calypso, he was entranced by the beauty of the artwork created by Wyland, the world-renowned artist, sculptor, painter and advocate for animal and ocean life, including sharks.
With lifelong affinities for art, culture, and ocean life, Blue Shark Vodka’s team and parent company Daytoon Distributors of Wrightsville Beach, NC, have steadfastly searched for partners to spotlight their efforts and enhance its own brand mission as well. He reached out to the artist to discuss using Wyland art on the labels for Blue Shark Vodka. During their conversation, diving came up. Wyland was intrigued and Invited Chief on a few dives. Following their recreational dives and as a vodka connoisseur, Wyland expressed an interest in a joint venture with name branded flavored vodkas make under the auspices of Daytoon, Inc.
Like their vodka, the pairing was perfect and Equalise Flavored Vodka was launched!
Enjoy Our Vodka
