Billabong Wetsuit

Some words seem to roll off our tongues, including “Zimbabwe,” “discombobulate,” and “poinsettia.” Another word, which you should remember when you’re searching for a new wetsuit, is: Billabong.

The story of Billabong wetsuits began with a man named Gordon Merchant. An avid surfer, he seemed to have a knack for knowing where, when, and how to catch the best waves for surfing. Gordon first began introducing innovative surfing equipment to the surfing world. Then Gordon and his wife Rena began creating handmade board shorts where they lived in Burleigh Heads, Australia. This was the birth of Billabong--which means “small lake” in Australian English.

The company began expanding, and by the 1980s Gordon’s company was exporting to New Zealand, Japan, Europe, and California. He was also able to achieve international licenses, but only when a country met Billabong’s strict professional standards.

Today, the Billabong wetsuit continues to thrive, and in 1998 the company celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Wetsuits are included among Billabong’s wide variety of surfing gear. From the inside-out, these wetsuits epitomize the company’s quest for quality. From their zippers and seams to their knee and collars, these wetsuits are perfect for surfing, scuba-diving, or snorkelling. But how can you choose the best Billabong wetsuit?

First, it’s important to choose a particular style of wetsuit. You may be surprised at how many styles of the Billabong wetsuit there are on the market, so become familiar with the main types:

• Full suit: This type of suit is required when the water temperature is below 65º F. You’ll need a 5/3 mm suit for water temperatures lower than 60 º F.

• Shortie: this wetsuit is comprised of 2 mm neoprene, and is idea for water temperatures higher than 70º F. When you need a little more warmth than board shorts than offer, then this is the right style of wetsuit.

• Springsuit: this is a three-quarter length (translation: short arms or legs) wetsuit that’s made of 3/2 mm neoprene. It’s the best choice when water temperatures range from 65 º to 75 º F.

Regardless of which type of suit you choose, keep in mind that the thicker the suit is, the less flexible it will be. So there will definitely be some give and take when you choose thicker wetsuits.

When selecting a Billabong wetsuit, it’s advisable that you consider buying one in an offline store. That’s because it should fit like a glove. In particular, there should be no gaps in the underarm and crotch region, and a small gap at the bottom of your backbone. Also, make sure that there’s a snug fit in the wrist and ankle region—that’s where water tends to leak. Remember that the tighter a wetsuit fits, the warmer it will be. However, a snugger fit will also result in less flexibility.

Finally, consider details of Billabong wetsuits, such as the type of neoprene and zipper system it contains. These features can impact the wetsuits functioning.

If you’re looking for a quality wetsuit that looks and fits great, then choose a Billabong wetsuit. For over 35 years the company with the fun name has been making surfing more fun.