Rip Curl founders announce sale of iconic surf brand

RIP Curl announced this morning that the surf brand founded in Torquay by Brian Singer and Doug “Claw” Warbrick has been sold to Australia and New Zealand based outdoor specialists Kathmandu.

In a statement, Rip Curl said it was intended that the Rip Curl and Kathmandu brands would continue to run independently and would “look to capitalise on the obvious benefits in the merger; combining expertise to provide great brand and product experiences for customers who share a common love of the outdoor adventure and surfing lifestyle”.

Founded in 1969 and still headquartered in Torquay, Rip Curl celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

“After 50 years it’s still an emotional event for us,” Singer and Warbrick said.

“Surfing and the surf industry has been an integral part of our lives for more than 50 years.

“We realise Rip Curl, our baby, has grown into an adult recognised all over the planet and we are proud that we have created one of the world’s great brands.

“We are confident the crew at Rip Curl will continue to look after the brand and products into the future. We look forward to supporting the crew on this journey.”

Rip Curl describes its acquisition by Kathmandu as creating “a $1 billion dollar Australasian based surfing and outdoor adventure lifestyle company, offering a technical based product mix to their combined customer base across wholesale and direct to consumer retail channels”.

Rip Curl Group chief executive officer Michael Daly said there were strong parallels with the two brands.

“Both companies thrive on creating high quality, functional products for outdoor enthusiasts, surfers and beach goers around the world.

“Both brands are also from the same part of the world – Australia and New Zealand. Bringing them together will build on our respective strengths across product, marketing and distribution channels.

“It will be a new world for all of us after 50 years of private ownership, and our entire Crew would like to thank the Rip Curl Founders for everything they have done for surfing over the years.

“Professionally, my team and I are excited by the opportunities that this will create and we look forward to joining Kathmandu and retaining our Vision of being regarded as the ultimate surfing company in all that we do.”

Kathmandu chief executive officer Xavier Simonet said the acquisition “would transform Kathmandu into a highly complementary, seasonally balanced, global outdoor and action sports business”.

“The combination will support the acceleration of our brands’ global expansion into new channels and markets.

“Sharing a focus on quality, innovation and sustainability, Kathmandu and Rip Curl make for a great cultural fit.”