MEDIA RELEASE

Body Glove International, the original surf and dive industry pioneer and creator of the first commercially viable wetsuit, is celebrating its 60th anniversary in Kailua-Kona.

The family-owned and operated business is excited to share its heritage and history via a kick off party at 4 p.m. Oct. 24 at The Royal Kona Resort’s Don the Beachcomber – Bar area.

The event is open to the public with a free live concert by Grammy nominated Henry Kapono and Body Glove giveaways courtesy of its Hawaiian partners – Body Glove Cruises and Tilci Shark Art Hawaii Inc.

The two day celebration will continue with a Body Glove / Tiki Mug Release party 6-9:30 p .m. Oct. 25 at The Wyland Kona Oceanfront Gallery on Alii Drive. This event is open to the public as well.

State and City officials along with Surf legends and Body Glove Team Riders will be in attendance.

“We are excited to be sharing our history with the folks in Hawaii” owner and senior vice president Billy Meistrell said. “It is going to be the party of the year and all are welcome to attend and help us cut and eat the celebratory cake.”

Abbas Hassan SVP for Tiki Shark / Body Glove GCC said, “We are honored to have the second and third generation of the original founding family members of Body Glove come to our island to celebrate this special event.”

Founded in 1953, Body Glove is a worldwide watersports brand specializing in wetsuits, swimwear, clothing, footwear, accessories, and technology accessories.

The company sponsors one of the most respected surf and wakeboard teams in the industry with such powerhouse names as pro surfers Jamie O’Brien. Cheyne Magnusson, Anthony Walsh, Alex Gray and Holly Beck and wake boarders Rusty Malinoski, Harley Clifford, Bob Soven and Jeff McKee.

Body Glove and Jean-Michel Cousteau and his Ocean Futures Society have formed a legendary alliance to help preserve and protect the ocean while providing ocean and diving geared equipment to water enthusiasts around the globe.

Some of the proceeds from the sale of those products go directly to Ocean Futures Society. Through Reef Check, SIMA’s environmental fund, Heal the Bay, and the Surfrider Foundation, Body Glove also works to preserve the purity of the waters it loves. Body Glove products are sold in the U.S. by a network of independent retailers.

Body Glove is also sold in approximately 50 countries internationally.

— Find out more:
www.bodyglove.com