Is Rip Curl owned by Billabong?
The recent $350 million sale of surfing icon Rip Curl to New Zealand outdoor clothing and accessories retailer Kathmandu marks the end of an era, with the big three pioneering Aussie surf brands (Rip Curl, Quiksilver and Billabong), all founded around the same time, now in the hands of international owners. Australia’s most famous surfing brands are no longer locally-owned with Rip Curl’s founders selling to New Zealand hiking equipment retailer Kathmandu for $350million. The deal, announced on Tuesday, means Australia’s three best-known surfwear brands – Billabong, Quiksilver and Rip Curl – will all be foreign labels.After over 50 years of private ownership, having been founded in 1969, the iconic Australian surf brand Rip Curl has been sold to outdoor and camping specialists Kathmandu.It’s the way of the business world: Start a brand, build it into a powerhouse and then cash out. So, the news that camp-centric retailer Kathmandu just paid $350 million (Australian) to buy 100 percent of Rip Curl should come as no real surprise.So, the news that camp-centric retailer Kathmandu just paid $350 million (Australian) to buy 100 percent of Rip Curl should come as no real surprise. In fact, it’s impressive that Brian Singer and Doug Warbrick maintained private control of the brand for so long.In a deal worth up to $350M (a combination of cash and shares), the acquisition sees Kathmandu become a $1 billion Australasian surfing and outdoor adventure lifestyle company. Rip Curl CEO Michael Daly will continue to lead the firm and will report to Kathmandu CEO Xavier Simonet.
What makes Rip Curl unique?
IT HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE SURF AND SNOW SCENES SINCE ITS CREATION. Rip Curl is a company for, and about, the crew on The Search. The Search is the driving force that led to the creation of Rip Curl, and it lives in the spirit of everything the Rip Curl crew do. It’s what makes Rip Curl unique. Iconic Australian surf brand Rip Curl has been acquired by New Zealand specialist outdoor retailer Kathmandu in a $350 million deal, following years of sale attempts by the company’s founders. Rip Curl was founded in 1969 in Torquay, Victoria, by surfers-turned-business owners Brian Singer and Doug Warbrick.Globally, Rip Curl is considered a successful member of the Big Three, of the surf industry alongside Quiksilver and Billabong. Rip Curl is now present in several areas of board sports, including skateboarding / surfskating, freestyle skiing, snowboarding and wakeboarding.Strategic acquisitions In 2019, the acquisitions continued with the iconic Australian surf brand Rip Curl. This allowed KMD Brands to capture the global surf market and significantly strengthen its international presence.Thrilled with the acquisition, Kathmandu’s CEO Xavier Simonet said “Rip Curl transforms Kathmandu into a highly complementary, seasonally balanced, global outdoor and action sports business. The combination will support the acceleration of our brands’ global expansion into new channels and markets.Since 1989, Rip Curl has owned and operated the wetsuit manufacturing facility Onsmooth in Chiang Mai, which in 2023 became the second Certified B Corp facility in Thailand.
Where are Rip Curl wetsuits made?
Since 1989, Rip Curl has owned and operated the wetsuit manufacturing facility Onsmooth in Chiang Mai, which in 2023 became the second Certified B Corp facility in Thailand. Rip Curl International announced today that the surfing brand has happily re-signed Hawaiian professional surfer and long-time team rider Bethany Hamilton.In a deal worth up to $350M (a combination of cash and shares), the acquisition sees Kathmandu become a $1 billion Australasian surfing and outdoor adventure lifestyle company. Rip Curl CEO Michael Daly will continue to lead the firm and will report to Kathmandu CEO Xavier Simonet.Rip Curl is an Australian designer, manufacturer, and retailer of surfing sportswear (also known as boardwear) and accompanying products, and a major athletic sponsor. Rip Curl has become one of the largest surfing companies in Australia, Europe, South America, North America and South Africa.Iconic Australian surf brand Rip Curl has been acquired by New Zealand specialist outdoor retailer Kathmandu in a $350 million deal, following years of sale attempts by the company’s founders. Rip Curl was founded in 1969 in Torquay, Victoria, by surfers-turned-business owners Brian Singer and Doug Warbrick.
Why is it called Rip Curl?
The name ‘Rip Curl’ was taken from a vee-bottom surfboard that Doug bought in 1968, on which he’d written “Rip Curl Hot Dog. The words didn’t mean anything, he later admitted, “Except ripping was groovy; surfing the curl was groovy; we wanted to be groovy — so that was it. Rip Curl was well established by the late 80s. But a lot had changed since Brian Singer and Claw Warbrick founded the company in 1969. What it meant to be a surfer seemed to have been flipped on its head.Born at Bells Beach in 1969, Rip Curl’s vision is to be regarded as the Ultimate Surfing Company in all that we do. Our online surf shop has apparel, gear, and other accessories so you can be ready for any adventure. Explore our line-up of quality wetsuits, boardshorts, bikinis, tide watches, and more.Iconic Australian surf brand Rip Curl has been acquired by New Zealand specialist outdoor retailer Kathmandu in a $350 million deal, following years of sale attempts by the company’s founders.Rip Curl is an Australian designer, manufacturer, and retailer of surfing sportswear (also known as boardwear) and accompanying products, and a major athletic sponsor. Rip Curl has become one of the largest surfing companies in Australia, Europe, South America, North America and South Africa.Get the latest girls clothing and swimwear from Rip Curl. Shop our range of girls surf clothes, including tees, dresses, jumpers, bathers and heaps more. With sizes available for kids and teens, find the perfect fit for their surf style at Rip Curl.
Has Rip Curl gone bust?
The company was acquired by KMD Brands in 2019, which also consists of other outdoor and lifestyle companies Kathmandu and Oboz. It comes following news that fellow Torquay surf brand Quiksliver along with Gold Coast-based Billabong will close all their stores in the US. KMD Brands Limited, the owner of Oboz, Rip Curl and Kathmandu, said the new tariffs announced last week by the Trump administration have created “significant uncertainty” for footwear and apparel companies.KMD Brands, formerly Kathmandu Holdings, is a New Zealand global outdoor, lifestyle and sports company consisting of three brands: Kathmandu, Rip Curl and Oboz. Kathmandu was founded in 1987 in New Zealand and specialises in clothing and equipment for travel and the outdoors.Strategic acquisitions In 2019, the acquisitions continued with the iconic Australian surf brand Rip Curl. This allowed KMD Brands to capture the global surf market and significantly strengthen its international presence.KMD Brands, formerly Kathmandu Holdings, is a New Zealand global outdoor, lifestyle and sports company consisting of three brands: Kathmandu, Rip Curl and Oboz. Kathmandu was founded in 1987 in New Zealand and specialises in clothing and equipment for travel and the outdoors.
What is the difference between E6 and E7 Rip Curl?
The E7 Neoprene is Rip Curl’s high-stretch, lightweight material, boasting 20% more stretch and 20% less weight than its predecessor, the E6. Complementing this, the E7 Flash Lining Tape ensures maximum stretch and warmth, enhancing overall performance. Rip Curl’s E5 neoprene is a game-changer in wetsuit material technology. This high-stretch, lightweight neoprene provides 30% more stretch, is 10% lighter, and offers 20% more warmth than traditional neoprene.Neoprene Tops and Shorts A 1-2mm neoprene top and shorts will give a good extra layer of warmth, more so than thermals and will give your core extra protection. Go for zip free options to wear under wetsuits, so you don’t get marks.Funnily enough, it’s probably RC’s bestselling wetsuit line in terms of volume, but that’s only because it’s one of the cheapest. Rip Curl is a premium brand and their most premium wetsuits are definitely the go. The Dawn Patrol suits are durable, but they’re not as flexible/comfortable as the top options.Expensive wetsuits are often made from higher-quality neoprene, which offers better flexibility, warmth, and durability. High-end neoprene like Yamamoto, known for its superior warmth and stretch, is commonly found in pricier models.