What is a Rip Curl?
Rip curl is an australian designer, manufacturer, and retailer of surfing sportswear (also known as boardwear) and accompanying products, and a major athletic sponsor. 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.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.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.Iconic surf label Rip Curl is the latest brand facing a customer backlash after it featured Australian professional trans surfer Sasha Jane Lowerson in a new online campaign.
Who owns Rip Curl now?
In October 2019, Kathmandu announced it would buy 100% of Australian surf brand Rip Curl for A$350m. In March 2022, Kathmandu Holdings was rebranded KMD Brands. Rip Curl has become one of the largest surfing companies in Australia, Europe, South America, North America and South Africa. Globally, Rip Curl is considered a successful member of the Big Three, of the surf industry alongside Quiksilver and Billabong.Camping and hiking gear retailer Kathmandu is taking a dip into the global $11 billion surfwear market, agreeing to buy Australian surf brand Rip Curl from founders Brian Singer and Douglas Warbrick for $350 million.KMD Brands, the owner of Rip Curl and the Kathmandu outdoor clothing brand, is the latest retailer to issue a profit warning as cost-of-living pressures and Trump’s tariffs combine to dent sales.The business of surfing The Big Three — Rip Curl, Quiksilver, and Billabong — are now owned offshore. The $350 million sale of Rip Curl to Kathmandu was the final nail in the coffin of Aussie surf brand independence. Big logos are out.
How much is Rip Curl worth?
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. FOUNDED IN 1969 BY BRIAN SINGER AND DOUG “CLAW” WARBRICK, RIP CURL IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST RECOGNIZED AND RESPECTED BRANDS. IT HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE SURF AND SNOW SCENES SINCE ITS CREATION.Rip Curl prides itself on being the Ultimate Surfing Company, designing products built to Live The Search. Shop the latest in men’s boardshorts, tees, hats, men’s surf clothing, apparel and accessories.Rip Curl – About the company Its top competitors include companies like True Religion Apparel, Gap and Inditex.It starts with responsible sourcing and manufacturing. Rip Curl is a Certified B Corp and gained certification in 2023. B Corps are businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.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.
Does Kathmandu own Rip Curl?
The acquisition of Rip Curl by Kathmandu creates a $1 billion dollar Australasian based surfing and outdoor adventure lifestyle company, offering a technical based product mix to their combined customer base across wholesale and direct to consumer retail channels. FOUNDED IN 1969 BY BRIAN SINGER AND DOUG “CLAW” WARBRICK, RIP CURL IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST RECOGNIZED AND RESPECTED BRANDS. 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.In October 2019, Kathmandu announced it would buy 100% of Australian surf brand Rip Curl for A$350m. In March 2022, Kathmandu Holdings was rebranded KMD Brands.Rip Curl Group employs approximately 2,370 people and is administered by its head office in Torquay, Victoria.In October 2019, Rip Curl was sold to outdoor specialist company Kathmandu. On 16 August 2021, Rip Curl appointed Brooke Farris as the chief executive officer.
Who is the CEO of Rip Curl?
After 20 years with Nike, seasoned executive Ashley Reade has been named the new CEO of Aussie surf brand Rip Curl. KMD Brands has revealed Ex-Nike Executive Ashley Reade will be taking the helm as CEO of Rip Curl. Ashley Reade is Rip Curl’s new CEO. The move follows the October resignation of Brooke Farris, who spent 14 years with Rip Curl and served as CEO for three, resigning her position in October 2024.Ashley Reade is Rip Curl’s new CEO. Now he takes the reins at one of surfing’s most iconic legacy brands. Transitions are always mixed feelings of excitement and trepidation due to the unknown,” he wrote on LinkedIn—immediately confirming that, yes, this is indeed a corporate transition.
How much did Kathmandu pay for Rip Curl?
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. Rip Curl achieved a record sales result, with total sales up +8. The results were underpinned by strong direct-to-consumer results particularly in Australasia following lockdowns last year, plus the return of international travel to Hawaii and Thailand.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.
Is Rip Curl for girls?
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. Rip Curl is involved in the manufacturing of wetsuits and the wholesale and retail sale of snow apparel, wetsuits, watches, footwear, clothes, and accessories.