With thousands of surfing spots and 2.5m surfers, Australia is indeed one of the world’s best surfing destinations. If you just happen to visit the beaches in Australia, you will come across a lot of Aussies surfing.
Australian surf brands surpass all the other surf brands in the world. In fact, a few of the biggest surfboard brands are from Australia. Moreover, Australia has been leading the surfing industry for decades now.
Today we will be bringing to you the 10 best surf makers straight from the surf brand heaven, Australia. But, first have about the history and development of the Australian Surf Industry.
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The History and Development of the Australian Surf Industry
Australia is a country that has always had a strong connection to the ocean, and the surf culture is a big part of that. The sport of surfing has been a part of Australian culture for centuries, with the Indigenous Australians being the first to ride waves on bark canoes. However, it wasn’t until the 20th century that surfing started to gain popularity as a recreational activity.
In the early 1900s, surfing was introduced to Australia by Hawaiian surfers, and it quickly caught on with the locals. The first surf club was established in 1908, and by the 1920s, Australian surfers were already making a name for themselves in international competitions.
As the sport continued to grow in popularity, so did the industry surrounding it. In the 1960s and 1970s, Australian surf brands such as Quiksilver, Billabong, and Rip Curl started to establish themselves as major players in the global surf market. These brands were known for their high-quality surfwear and equipment, and they quickly became popular with surfers all over the world.
Throughout the decades, the Australian surf industry has continued to evolve and innovate. Today, Australian surf brands are known for not just their high-performance surfwear but also for their sustainable and environmental practices.
The industry has grown to become a major contributor to the Australian economy, and it continues to be a significant part of the country’s cultural identity.
10 Australian Surfboard Brands
Explore the influence of Australian surf brands on the global market. Discover the history, innovation & sustainability of the Aussie surf industry. Learn about the top 10 brands and their unique features.
1. Quicksilver
Established in 1969, Quicksilver is one of the prominent surf brands in the world. As the brand itself says, “Quicksilver has top line clothing and gear for every lifestyle”. And this is one of the main reasons that this has become a go-to-surf brand in the world.
Quicksilver makes highly durable board shorts and performance wetsuits that will keep up with you the entire day.
Moreover, this Australian surf brand is counted among the world’s largest high-performance surfwear or boardsport-related equipment.
2. Billabong
Gordon Merchant launched billabong in 1973. He used to make boards short at home and sell them to the local surf shop owners. Hit board shorts had his signature “triple-stitching” on them. They were not just durable but loved by surfers.
The brand became internationally famous when pro surfers started to wear their board shorts. Today Billabong has become one of the most renowned surfboard companies in the world.
Billabong has not limited to manufacturing surf-related items. In fact, it also provides snowboarding and Australian skateboarding-related items.
3. Roxy
Roxy is the first surf brand for women. Quicksilver launched Roxy in 1990, a time when there were very few female surfers. It was a big risk, but fortunately, the line took off. Today Roxy sponsors a few of the best female surfers in the world.
In this men-dominated world, Roxy is a small yet prominent ray of hope for the women in this sport. Although it mainly focuses on manufacturing surf apparel and accessories, it sells books, home decor, and perfume.
4. Seafolly
Launched in 1975, Seafolly is one of the biggest swimwear brands in Australia. From bikinis and one-pieces to other beach essentials, Seafolly has everything to offer. If you want to look chic while surfing, it is the brand for you.
Seafolly has a swimsuit suitable for women of every shape. The surfwear created by this Australian brand is designed while keeping both fashion and functionality in mind.
Moreover, Gigi Hadid, Samantha Harris, Miranda Kerr, and Jessica Hart are the brand ambassadors of Seafolly, yet another reason for it being a crowd-favourite surfboard brand.
5. Rip Curl
Rip Curl was established in 1969 and is known to be the first major Australian surf brand. It has a massive collection of high-performance swimwear, surf clothes, surf accessories, and wetsuits.
Rip Curl, started just as a vision or search, has become the best surf brand among surfing enthusiasts. It produces and distributes a variety of innovative surf products in 60+ countries of the world. Moreover, it has hundreds of retailers around the globe, let alone 61 stores in just Australia.
6. Ocean and Earth
Established in 1978, Ocean and Earth is one of the most well-known Australian surf brands globally. Two surfers launched in Burleigh Heads. Starting as a company of three, it has become one of the surfing industry’s leading brands.
From surf covers and leashes to surfboards and tail pads, you can find almost everything surf-related items in Ocean and on Earth. Also, this Australian surf brand has hats, padded bags, swimwear, and wetsuits.
7. The Critical Slide Society
Sam Coombes and Jim Mitchell started this as a hobby in 2009, and soon it became one of the most beloved Australian surf brands.
The motto of this brand is “Art, Surf, and Fun,” and that is exactly what you will find in their surfwear. The surfwear designed by TCSS is classy and straightforward.
This Australian brand has expanded to the USA, Uk, Japan, and Canada. The Critical Slide Society has some great wetsuits and board shorts. If you are looking for skating and surf-related items on sale, TCSS is what you should go for.
8. Globe
Globe, established in 1985, specializes in creating footwear, skateboard complex goods for board sports, worker markets, and street fashion. A team of experts in surfing, skating, and snowboarding came together to create a wide range of snow, surf, and skate products.
Founded by three brothers, Globe has now become a global network of board sports lovers. No matter what board sport you do, Globe has the perfect apparel for you.
Now you can look classy and chic while enjoying your favourite board sport.
9. Insight
Insight was founded in the early 90s. The brand says that it “ follows its intuition and pays little attention to where the crowd is headed.” That is why you will find their surfwear to be a little different from the rest- simple, and clean-cut.
Insight designers are young and idealistic. They take inspiration from art and music. This creativity and simplicity of Insight are what make it one of the best Australian surf brands. Moreover, Insight also hosts different events around Australia.
10. Maywood
Maywood is the last surf brand on our list but not the least. This sustainable and eco-friendly Australian brand’s specialty is using recycled Australian cedar to make handcrafted surfboards. Maywood has a collection of vintage tees made of 100% cotton.
The board shorts designed by Maywood provide you with a firm grip while surfing. If you are looking for handcrafted, artistic, vintage-looking boards, then this is where your search ends.
The Impact of Australian Surf Brands on the Global Surf Market
Australian surf brands have had a significant impact on the global surf market, and it can be seen in how influential these brands are today. From the early days of the sport, Australian surfers and surf brands have consistently been at the forefront of innovation and design.
One of the biggest ways in which Australian surf brands have impacted the global market is through their emphasis on quality and durability. Many of these brands have been around for decades and have built a reputation for producing high-quality surfwear and equipment that can withstand the harsh conditions of the ocean. This has made them a go-to choice for surfers all over the world.
Another way in which Australian surf brands have made an impact on the global market is through their unique styles and designs. Australian surf brands are known for their unique take on surfwear and surf culture, which has helped to establish them as trendsetters in the industry. This has led to many surfers looking to these brands for the latest styles and trends in surfwear.
Finally, Australian surf brands have had an impact on the global surf market through their commitment to sustainability and environmental practices. Many of these brands have implemented sustainable practices in the manufacturing of their products, and this has helped to establish a new standard for the surf industry as a whole.
It has also made these brands even more popular among surfers who want to make a positive impact on the environment while enjoying the sport they love.
Bottom Line
Australian surf brands have had a significant impact on the global surf market. From their beginnings, Australian surfers and surf brands have been at the forefront of innovation and design. With their emphasis on quality, unique styles, designs, and sustainability, these brands have established themselves as major players in the global market.
They have become a go-to choice for surfers all over the world and have helped to shape the surf industry as a whole. The surfing industry in Australia is a major contributor to the Australian economy and continues to be a significant part of the country’s cultural identity.
The 10 surfboard brands mentioned in the article are some of the best and most popular among surf enthusiasts and offer a range of surf-related items for different needs. Understanding the history, current state and future direction of these surf brands will be beneficial for anyone looking to purchase surf-related products.
Anaya Shah is a seasoned consumer product analyst with over 8 years of experience in the retail and e-commerce industries. She holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing from a top-tier university. Anaya has a keen eye for detail and a passion for uncovering the true value of products, helping consumers make informed decisions. At BrandCritica.com, she brings her expertise in product evaluation, brand analysis, and market trends to deliver trustworthy and insightful content. Connect with Anaya on Instagram for the latest updates and reviews.