Matuse Wetsuits

So recently I've been working with Matuse Inc. to try and help build the wetsuit brand. Since I've been surfing for over 14 years and have owned my share of wetsuits I was really impressed with the wetsuits produced by Matuse Inc.(They produce fullsuits and wetsuits tops.)

The materials are by far the best in the business. No cost was spared and you can definitely tell when you get your hands on one. The material is Yamamoto rubber but rubber doesn't really tell the story. Matuse calls it Geoprene. This is because this stuff is derived from Calcium Carbonate or Limestone. A renewable resource that is harvested from the ocean floor. All neoprene is derived from crude oil. Yes your wetsuit, cup cozy and mouse pad are all the product of that sludge we call oil. I for one am stoked to see a new product for surfers that uses a better source material. The fun doesn't stop there. Geoprene itself performs better in every measurable way. It's warmer, it stretches more, it lasts longer, it absorbs solar heat better and barely absorbs any water. So what this means for me and all that use it is you stay warmer and perform better in the water which is how I measure the success of the product.

The design of the wetsuits are also top notch. After many years of trial and error from other surf companies the proven designs and new ideas are coming forward in the Matuse wetsuit line. Matt who is one of the founders of the company has been a contract wetsuit designer for major wetsuit companies in the industry over the last 6 years. His concepts and designs are now being utilized in a company that is not afraid to offer the industry a truly top of the line wetsuit. The price point will be in the mid four hundreds but I think people who are serious surfers will pay for the performance and quality of this wetsuit. If you asked someone "Do you want a pimped out BMW or a Pimped out Buick for $65,000?" I think most people would pick the BMW over the Buick simply because they know the quality over the long haul will be there. Of course everything new feels pretty good but what happens a year from now after you beat the product up for a bit? I think once people experience the warmth and performance of Matuse Geoprene they will never want to go back to normal neoprene again.

With my help and encouragement we've been able to open up a piece of the Hawaii market. My brother Shin has signed on as the rep for Hawaii and is doing well in his first season. Shops are responding well and people are buying the product. We also just finished signing on a big pro surf team to help promote the product. The Pipeline Posse's team has signed the dotted line. We acquired Jamie Sterling, Flynn Novack and Jason Frederico. Unfortunately Braden Diaz is with another sponsor but we are stoked to have the rest of the guys represent Matuse out in the heavy breaks of the famous North Shore and throughout the world. Another huge team member is Makala Jones. He's on the current cover of Surfer mag pulling into a sick Pipeline pit. This guy is super cool and rips. A perfect representative for Matuse Inc. We also have local California rippers such as Darrick Dunfee and Zach Plopper. We also have a bevy of young up and comers representing the local San Diego scene.

I'm stoked to help see the brand grow. I think over time my role might increase and maybe become a part of a hugely successful surf company. Something I'm very passionate about and would love to see blow up and compete worldwide with the likes of Rip curl and Billabong. Time will tell but with the team and current growth rate I think this product and company can go far.

You can check it out at www.matuse.com.