Billabong wetsuit history

Gordon Merchant made the first pair of Billabong board shorts in 1973 in Australia, but it was a few years before the first Billabong wetsuit arrived. They’ve been a huge part of the surf scene and are a familiar sight to anyone shopping on the high street.

Unfortunately the company has run into quite a few financial issues over the last decade or so. It looks like they’re plodding along and wetsuits keep coming every year, sported by their team of surfers and other athletes.

Billabong wetsuit innovations

One of the first ziperless wetsuits was produced by Billabong, it featured velcro closure on the neck and I’ve heard that it was pretty functional, but the velcro lost it’s grip after a while.

They were also an early pioneer of using surf movies or videos as marketing for the brand.

Jack McCoy made a series of films backed by Billabong wetsuits from 1990 to 1993, including the classi video The Green Iguana, I spent many hours re-watching the Green Iguana but I don’t think it inspired me to buy a Billabong wetsuit, I think I ended up wearing a Rip Curl around that time.

More recently they’ve been focused on acquiring other brands than making innovations in the wetsuit industry. Billabong aquired Xcel wetsuits in 2007 but there doesn’t seem to be any cross over in the wetsuit technology or branding between the two companies.

Billabong wetsuit sponsorship

Billabong wetsuit warranty

If you feel your Billabong wetsuit has an issue which is covered under the warranty you should contact the retailer you purchased the wetsuit from in the first instance.

The Billabong wetsuit warranty:

• 1 year warranty workmanship and materials
• 3 months on workmanship and materials for Wetsuit Accessories

The Billabong wetsuit warranty does not cover:

• Self repair or alterations to products
• Warranty request without proof of purchase