Deakin University and Quiksilver have entered into a research and development partnership that will push the boundaries of textiles and sportswear innovation. The five-year, $350,000 partnership will see Deakin materials scientists working with Quiksilver designers to create the next generation of action sportswear.
Both Deakin and Quiksilver have international reputations for textiles research and sportswear development.
“This partnership between two of regional Victoria's leading organisations will reinforce the place of Australian innovation on the world stage,” said Dr Paul Collins, Deakin research academic.
“Quiksilver has long been known to make the best boardshorts on the market and are continually developing innovations. This partnership with Deakin will focus on enhancing Quiksilver's existing product lines to improve not only the fabric but also the interaction with the person to help boost athletic potential,” he said.
Two-time world champion and Quiksilver ambassador Tom Carroll is "stoked" about the two teams working together.
“In the past 10 years we've seen technology make a huge difference to the simple act of going surfing,” he said.
“We've seen it in surfboard design, we've seen it in surf forecasting, and now with Quiksilver's revolutionary Xplosive Technology we're even seeing it in our boardshorts. I've always seen surfing as a really athletic pursuit – your body can be working just as hard out in the surf as it would be on a football field or in a pool – and these shorts are an acknowledgement of that.
“Now that Quiksilver and Deakin are joining forces, I'm hugely excited about what direction they are going to take boardshort technology. I can't wait to see what they come up with.”
Quiksilver's Head of Design, Haydn Davis, said the benefits to flow from the partnership will be far reaching.
“It's a perfect fit on many levels,” Mr Davis said. “The specific focus of Deakin in the field of fabric technology is perfectly aligned with our company's products. Quiksilver has a long history of innovation and leading our industry into new territories, and this collaboration will enhance our ability to continue to deliver breakthroughs – and better products for our customers – into the future.
“The biggest benefit to us will be the ongoing culture of scientific innovation that Quiksilver will be exposed to thanks to the research capabilities of Deakin.
“One of the most exciting benefits is that this whole project is local and regional, with the resources to legitimately compete in the global market coming from our own backyard, with us based in Torquay and Deakin 15 minutes up the road in Geelong.”
Dr Collins shares this excitement for the benefits that will flow from the partnership not only for the two organisations but for the Geelong region.
“Having two world class organisations working together to push the boundaries of science, materials and surfing in a regional environment like Geelong/Torquay is fantastic,” Dr Collins said.
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