What is Rip Curl?
Rip Curl is an Australian surf brand founded in Torquay, Victoria, in 1969 by Doug Warbrick and Brian Singer. It is known for wetsuits, boardshorts and surf watches, and sponsors the famous Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach.
Warbrick and Singer started by making surfboards in a garage in Torquay. They soon focused on wetsuits, which were essential for surfing in the cold waters of southern Victoria.
Rip Curl developed innovative wetsuits and became one of the world's leading surf companies. Its motto is The Search, referring to the endless quest for perfect waves.
The Rip Curl Pro
The Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach is the longest-running professional surfing event in the world. Winners ring a famous bell as part of the trophy presentation.
Rip Curl expanded internationally, with stores and distribution in Europe, the Americas and Asia. The company also developed surf watches with tide information.
In 2019, Rip Curl was sold to Kathmandu, a New Zealand outdoor retailer, which later renamed itself KMD Brands. Torquay remains the home of the brand, and the area is often called the birthplace of Australia's surf industry.
Did You Know?
The Surf World Museum in Torquay celebrates the history of surfing in Australia.