Quiksilver founder Alan “Greeny” Green dies aged 77

ALAN “Greeny” Green, the visionary who co-founded the global Quiksilver brand and revolutionised surfing apparel, died on Tuesday in Torquay, southwest of Melbourne, after a brief battle with cancer. He was 77.

Green, who launched Quiksilver in a rented beachside holiday house in 1969, leaves behind a legacy that began with a pair of innovative boardshorts and grew into one of the most iconic names in surf culture.

At its peak, the company operated in over 90 countries, employed thousands of people, and generated hundreds of millions in annual revenue.

Tributes have poured in for the man credited with shaping modern surfwear and inspiring generations.

Surfing champion Kelly Slater, who joined Quiksilver at 18 and remained with the company for 24 years, said, “Love you, Greeny. You were one of a kind and a great friend and mentor for so many. I’ll miss you forever.”

Rod Brooks, chairman of Surf World Gold Coast, described Green as “a true legend” and a trailblazer who transformed surf fashion.

“It was a life well lived and one that will be remembered, along with the legend of the Quiksilver brand and the thousands of jobs he created both here and around the world over his incredible journey,” Brooks said.

Green’s entrepreneurial journey began when he left his job as a bookkeeper to follow his passion for surfing. After briefly working with Rip Curl, he struck out on his own, launching Quiksilver from a small shop in Torquay.

Beyond business, Green was known for his adventurous spirit and wide-ranging passions. According to Brooks, Green loved horse racing, partnering in three Melbourne Cup-winning horses, and indulged in heli-skiing trips to Canada and New Zealand.

He also owned a 100-foot boat for 18 years, which he used for surf trips in Indonesia.

“With all that going on, most of all, he loved his family: his wife Barb, and his kids Fletcher, Holly, and Roxy,” Brooks said.

“Greeny’s impact is immeasurable,” Brooks added. “He didn’t just create a brand; he created an industry, supporting thousands of jobs and inspiring a lifestyle that transcends generations. His life was a wave well ridden.”

Alan Green’s contributions to surf culture will endure as part of the lasting impact of Quiksilver, the brand he built from humble beginnings into a global phenomenon.