Rip Curl apparel

Rip Curl is a globally recognized designer, manufacturer, and retailer of surfing sportswear and accompanying products. Founded in 1969 by Doug Warbrick and Brian Singer in Torquay, Victoria, Australia, the brand initially focused on manufacturing surfboards before pivoting to high-quality wetsuits and eventually a complete range of lifestyle apparel.

The brand is considered one of the 'Big Three' in the surf industry. While its roots are firmly planted in the Australian surf culture, the production of its apparel is distributed across multiple countries, including China, Thailand, and Vietnam, to meet global demand while maintaining technical standards.

In 2019, Rip Curl was acquired by Kathmandu Holdings Limited (now known as KMD Brands), a major outdoor and adventure sports retailer based in New Zealand. This acquisition integrated Rip Curl into a larger portfolio of lifestyle brands focused on the outdoor and travel sectors.