Editor’s Note: This is presented by our partners at Buell Wetsuits.
Black wetsuits are undeniably cool, the kind of timeless appeal of a white T-shirt and blue jeans. But when you’re paddling out to a lineup of crow-like figures (even more noticeable in cold-water locations where hood, booties and gloves are common), the all-black fit can be a little tiresome.
I’ll be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of black wetsuits. While there’s the functionality argument that black absorbs more heat than lighter-colors, that’s not why the majority of surfers are wearing it in the water – they’re doing it to fit in. But that goes against everything surfing stands for. Surfing as a way of life is all about not fitting in, a rejection of societal values to instead spend one’s time in the pursuit of absolutely nothing at all but the feeling of flow across the water. But surfing today is much more complicated than the pure form we all yearn for. In an attempt to fit in, we all paddle out in black.
Buell and Jamie O’Brien have been at the forefront of the non-black wetsuit movement since the two first started working together, releasing iconic prints such as the JOB camo, which has adorned his wetsuits for years. Now, Jamie and Buell have teamed up again to bring you their latest iteration of colorful suit, the Tiger Camo print now available on the Buell website.
“The cool thing about working with Buell on these suits besides getting to create something I really like and want to wear, is supporting a core brand that’s stayed true to its roots,” says Jamie. “It just feels like so many companies have veered so far away from what they stand for and Buell, along with the entire crew there, are in it for all the right reasons.”
Jamie O’Brien’s New Tiger Camo 3.0. Dude makes it roar.
