Men's Rip Curl 'Elasto' wetsuit
Date2000
Object number00030700
NameWetsuit
MediumNeoprene, nylon, cotton
DimensionsOverall: 1143 x 370 mm, 1.14 kg
ClassificationsClothing and personal items
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Rip Curl Australia Pty Ltd
DescriptionThis Rip Curl 'Elasto' wetsuit is constructed out of black nylon covered Titanium Neoprene panels, with knee and chest grips. It has white flat locked seams, and features Rip Curl's 'Loc Slide Design' zip and velcro free closure, first developped in 1997. As the suit does not have a zipper, the design incorporates a pull over panel and a drawstring at the neck, which fastens on the left shoulder.
HistoryWetsuits are used by surfers and divers for thermal insulation, as well as for protection against sun exposure, jelly fish, coral and other marine hazards. Different forms of open and closed neoprene are used in warm-water and cold-water suits, and they come in a variety of styles to accommodate the differing needs of the wearer.
Wetsuits were developed in the 1950s, and were first made out of foam rubber neoprene that did not have any form of backing material. In order to stabilise the suits and stop them from easily tearing apart, a layer of nylon was applied to the inside of the neoprene. The more colourful suits of the 1970s were a result of the introduction of double-backed neoprene, where neoprene was set in between two protective outer layers. The external layer meant that designers were now able to incorporate decorative colours, logos and patterns into the suits.
Rip Curl began making wetsuits in 1970, and by 1971 was selling the first suits with underarm gussets. In 1974 they introduced shoulder zips for greater warmth and flexibility, together with dual and multi-thickness suits.
The suits were made from neoprene, which is a synthetic rubber produced by the polymerization of chloroprene. The material was invented by DuPont, who were also responsible for the development of nylon. In 1982 Rip Curl began using a more flexible form of neoprene, called Super Xpandx.
In 1984 Rip Curl introduced K-Tron knee pads for durability and Aqua Ban seams for warmth. The next year the company started using fully contoured patterns in the design of the suits, ensuring a better fit.SignificanceThe suit is representative of innovative designs and textile technologies used by Australian surf wear manufacturers such as Rip Curl.
