Alacran Surf

In the world of surfwear and accessories, a few brands have become legendarynames like Quiksilver, Billabong, O’neill, Hurley, Volcom, Element, Oakley, Element, Redsand, and Maui Rippers. But just what sells in the surfing world, and how do surfing neophytes know where to start?One of the best things to look for in surfwear is word-of-mouth reviews. Many companies started local and grew thanks to their legions of satisfied customers. Many of the brands that are most popular in America today started out in Australia. Quiksilver, for instance, started at a Rip Curl (Australian manufacturer) in 1969 when founder Alan Green began designing a new type of board short, using wetsuit technology like snaps and Velcro. Other brands, like Hurley and Volcom, are all-American, starting out in Southern CaliforniaHurley formed in Costa Mesa in 1979, while Volcom formed in 1991.Many brands have become associated with other sports like skateboarding and snowboarding. Like the sport of surfing itself, these brands cultivate an alternative image and a laid-back demeanor. Sponsorship is a big deal within the industry. Quiksilver sponsors approximately 500 athletes, including surfer Kelly Slater, snowboarder Travis Rice, skateboarder Tony Hawkeven golfer Luke Federico. The company also sponsor the men’s Quiksilver Pro surfing tournament and the women’s Roxy Pro tournament (named after Quiksilver’s Roxy sister brand targeted at young women).Many brands also capitalize on the sport’s musical connections. Hurley was famously endorsed by pop-punkers Blink-182, and also sponsors heavy metal group Avenged Sevenfold. Volcom, on the other hand, has its own entertainment company and record label, which has released albums by groups like Pepper, Valient Thorr, Guttermouth, Birds of Avalon, ASG, and Riverboat Gamblers.The most common products offered by these companies are wetsuits, boardshorts, surfboards, and leashes. While some of the product designs may differ from brand to brand, at other times you’ll basically be choosing between whose name you want on your gear.

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