LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Monday, July 2, 2018) -- The Woolmark Company has joined the World Surf League (WSL) family, partnering with the Championship Tour (CT) to showcase an exclusive range of lifestyle and performance garments, crafted from Australian Merino wool.
The Woolmark x WSL apparel range includes men's and women's base layers, a zip-up hoodie, a women's T-shirt, a men's long-sleeve crew neck T-shirt, and a cozy beanie - all with Woolmark certification signifying the quality and authenticity of the products. The wool and wool-rich range is available online beginning July 2.
"We are very excited to welcome The Woolmark Company as a partner of the WSL," said Sophie Goldschmidt, CEO of WSL. "Surfing is more than sport, it's a lifestyle, and our new partnership brings together a great combination of style and function for surfers and fans to enjoy."
The eco-credentials of the wool fiber - being 100% natural, renewable and biodegradable - aligns with WSL's commitment to ocean health. As much as 20-35 percent of microplastics in the marine environment are fibers from synthetic clothing and this amount is increasing.
To celebrate the release of the new range, WSL and The Woolmark Company created a short film at the WSL Rip Curl Pro CT event at the iconic Bells Beach in Australia, the same country where the world's finest Merino wool is produced. Featuring pro Australian surfer Wade Carmichael, the film explores the surfside communities surrounding Bells Beach and the tight-knit culture found in the surf community, whilst showcasing the garments in the exclusive collection.
A technical performance fiber, Australian Merino wool is loved by athletes at all levels worldwide. Wool's naturally inherent qualities, such as resistance to odor and effective moisture management are just some of the key reasons why wool rides the wave of success in sports and outdoor-wear. In contrast to synthetics, wool is an active fiber that reacts to changes in the body's temperature, keeping the wearer comfortable. Accordingly, wool garments are among the most breathable of all the common apparel types.
The hero products within the collection have earned the esteemed MerinoPerform™ certification. This unique Woolmark accreditation requires rigorous performance testing in a lab, and signifies a product built to perform. The Merino lining allows the wool fiber to absorb moisture vapor from next to skin and move it away from the body, keeping the wearer's core temperature comfortable and dry after exerting energy in the water.
"Australia is one of the world's best surfing destinations and is the world's best producer of beautiful Merino wool," says The Woolmark Company Managing Director Stuart McCullough. "This partnership is a perfect fit as two iconic cultures ride together to celebrate the natural versatility of the fiber and the natural talent of the world's best surfers. The range of apparel created in collaboration with the World Surf League offers all surfers across the world the opportunity to experience the best in sports and surfwear."
To view the product and download assets from the short film, follow this link.
For Woolmark press inquiries, please contact Gordon Wright at Outside PR: gordon@outsidepr.com.
For WSL press inquiries, please contact Laura Muma lmuma@worldsurfleague.com or Chloe Kojima ckojima@worldsurfleague.com.
About The Woolmark Company:
The Woolmark Company is the global authority on wool. Through our extensive network of relationships spanning the international textile and fashion industries, we highlight Australian wool's position as the ultimate natural fiber and premier ingredient in luxury apparel.
The Woolmark logo is one of the world's most recognized and respected brands, providing assurance of the highest quality, and representing pioneering excellence and innovation from farm through to finished product.
The Woolmark Company is a subsidiary of Australian Wool Innovation, a not-for-profit enterprise that conducts research, development and marketing along the worldwide supply chain for Australian wool on behalf of about 60,000 woolgrowers that help fund the company.
About World Surf League:
The World Surf League (WSL) is dedicated to celebrating the world's best surfing on the world's best waves through a variety of best-in-class audience platforms. The WSL has been championing the world's best surfing since 1976, running in excess of 180 global events across the Men's and Women's Championship Tours, Big Wave Tour, Qualifying Series, and Junior and Longboard Championships. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, the WSL is a truly global sports and media company with regional offices in Australia, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, and Europe.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
Join the conversation: Facebook: @thewoolmarkcompany Twitter: @woolmark Instagram: @thewoolmarkcompany