Xcel Wetsuits are made by a company that has a true passion for wetsuit technology!

It’s focus centers upon the design and development of wetsuits for tropical and cold water conditions. Consequently, Xcel make wetsuits for year round surfers and SCUBA enthusiasts.

Xcel’s Beginnings

Xcel began life in Sunset Beach, Oahu in 1982. Its owner, Ed D’Ascoli, had a wide ranging experience of making and exporting surfing equipment to Japan from Hawaii and also helped to establish the international brand presence of the Japanese Victory Wetsuits company in the late 1970s/early 1980s. In July 2007 Xcel was acquired by Billabong as a strategy to strengthen Biilabong’s position in the global wetsuit market.

Xcel Sun Protection and Wetsuits

D’Ascoli began Xcel’s journey by targetting the surfing and canoe paddle niches. Xcel’s success in these areas prompted a move into the manufacture of commercial diving wetsuits as well as wetsuits for the United States military. Today Xcel wetsuits and sun protection wear are the mainstay of the Xcel brand.

Does Xcel Make Wetsuits for All?

Since the mid 1990s, Xcel have provided westuits for the recreational diving market. Today, Xcel design wetsuits for everybody: men, women and children alike. One thing that Xcel guarantee is the quality of their wetsuit materials and build: each Xcel wetsuit is carefully made with durability, stretch and fit kept firmly in mind. With Billabong’s backing, the Xcel wetsuit range could literally blow off the hook..

Xcel Dive Related Product Lines

Xcel dive wetsuits come in the following product ranges:

• Xcel Flex Core Warmer Shorty
• Xcel Vortex Fullsuit
• Xcel SCS Polar Tri-Density
• Xcel Hydro Tri-Density
• Xcel Polar Quad-Density
• Xcel Hydrospan
• Xcel Icon wetsuits

Xcel also make the following lines for diving:

• Xcel Infiniti Hooded Vest
• Xcel Neoprene Boots
• Xcel Glideskin 6.5mm Sole
• Xcel Titanium 6.5mm Boots
• Xcel Titanium Gloves

The Future For Xcel Wetsuits?

Xcel wetsuits remain at the forefront of wetsuit technology: in recent years Xcel has won the Surf Industry Manufacturers’ Association “Wetsuit of the Year” title.

Cutting edge techniques and materials and assuming the backing of a super rich parent means continued investment this can only be good news for the Xcel brand.

Body Glove and Neoprene Wetsuits

The Meistrell twins were the first people to recognize the potential of neoprene. In fact, the development of the Body Glove wetsuit range began when they took advantage of the insulating properties of neoprene. The Meistrell’s incoporated neoprene in the formation of the first practical wet suit design, which made year round diving and surfing possible for those who would otherwise pack up their kit for the cooler winter months. As the neoprene wetsuits were made to fit like a glove, the Body Glove wetsuit concept and brand was born.

Today, Body Glove wetsuits are considered pretty hip, having been taken up most famously by the surfing fraternity. But Body Glove dive wetsuits offer the same mix of quality and attractive design for the hip generation.

What Dive Wetsuits Accessories are Available From Body Glove?

Body Glove produce the following wetsuit styles:

• Men’s and women’s full suits
• Men’s and women’s spring suits
• Men’s and women’s first layer tops
• and Body Glove Booties, gloves and hoods.

N.B. Body Glove wetsuits are complimented by a Body Glove dry suit product.

If you are into looking good and keeping youself warm under the big blue, Body Glove wet suits could be an option for you.

The Dive Rite Product Range

Dive Rite’s product range extends from breathing apparatus such as regulators, buoyancy control devices, wetsuits, drysuits and lighting equipment.

Dive Rite’s Beginnings

Formed in 1984, Dive Rite is the brainchild of two cave diving instructors who saw what they perceived to be a lack of technical diving equipment for more advanced recreational SCUBA diving environments such as cave diving. Mark Leonard and Lamar Hires formed what was one of the earliest specialist technical diving equipment suppliers. They began by promoting products designed specifically for underwater exploration such as canister lights and robust wings.

Dive Rite in the 1990s

Just over a decade later, Dive Rite became one of the first makers of a dive computer that was Nitrox compatible. The first Dive Rite computers were called the “Bridge” range. In the mid 1990s Dive Rite launched the Dive Rite TransPac harness alongside their range of Dive Rite computers.

Where Can I Find Dive Rite Products?

Today, Dive Rite has launched over 300 products for advanced divers. Not only that but Dive Rite has operations all over the world, for example:

• Dive Rite USA
• Dive Rite Australia
• Dive Rite UK
• Dive Rite France
• Dive Rite Japan

For more information about Dive Rite products and their availability in your part of the world visit diverite.com.