High Performance Wetsuits

Phone: +64 9 521 6983 Cell: +64 21 324 762 eMail: sales@hikingpantsnz.com for Neoprene Hiking Pants As worn by the World's Top Laser, Finn, OK, Europe dinghy and Optimist Sailors.

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History

Even at an early age John had a love of the sea and a vision which has evolved into neoprene hiking pants being one of the major wetsuit developments of the 20th Century

Dean Barker, NZ Americas Cup skipper, was involved in the early testing of neoprene hiking pants for John

In the late 1980s, a New Zealand dinghy sailor, John Dowsett, devised a wetsuit that would not only keep dinghy sailors warm but allow them to hike over the side of their boats without the pain in the back of their legs. These pants became known as Neoprene hiking pants.

Previously, sailmakers had made a strap-on type product called stacking pants, but these were uncomfortable and the stiff sail battens used could wear the gunwales of the boat down with excessive use by a heavy sailor.

By using flexible polycarbonate battens which returned straight after use, High Performance Wetsuits incorporated these battens into a wetsuit giving an all in one product, which made hiking over the side of a dinghy, such as a Laser or Finn, more comfortable, plus keeping weight to a minimum.

The sailor was also further elevated above the water reducing drag from waves when on the wind and on reaches. They are now worn as standard racing equipment by sailors in most dinghy classes throughout the world.

High Performance Wetsuits has prided itself on quality, innovation and backup service, areas they feel are important for their customers and they have continued to make New Zealand made products despite the temptation from cheaper imported products.

Highlights of the young company’s achievements to date are to see the Gold Medallists from the ’92 and ’96 Olympics in the Finn class and World Champions in Laser, Finn and OK classes since the early 1990s wearing High Performance Wetsuits’ Hiking Pants.

In the 1998 Finn Gold Cup in Greece; the top sailors were wearing High Performance Wetsuits’ Hiking Pants. In the just completed 1998 Optimist World Championships in Portugal, young New Zealander Kelly Riechelmann finished fourth girl using High Performance Wetsuits’ latest Hiking Pants for young sailors, showing the diversity of the neoprene hiking pants being used by young sailors and experienced sailors.

Experience the winning feeling with
High Performance Wetsuits Ltd - Hiking Pants

Laser

New ! All Products can now be purchased using Visa or Mastercard as well as TT and Bankdrafts.
Pro range for top of the line quality in all styles
Jodo range - quality at a budget price in Std/Braces