O’Neill, the legendary surf company founded in 1952 by Jack O’Neill in Santa Cruz, California, proudly announces their partnership with Parley for the Oceans, an organization dedicated to raising awareness as to the fragile state of our oceans and turning the tide on ocean plastic and ocean destruction.
Through this partnership, O’Neill and Parley for the Oceans will collaborate on initiatives that help end ocean plastic and educate consumers as to the immediate need for action, as the oceans need our help now. “In the spirit of continuing the passion that Jack O’Neill has for the ocean and all marine life, O’Neill has established this amazing partnership with Parley for the Ocean to help create awareness of what is happening to the world’s oceans”, said Steve Ward, GM O’Neill Clothing. “This collaboration is not solely based on product built with recycled material, it’s about a different mindset on re-use of plastics that will aid ocean and coastal preservation.”
The partnership will begin in Spring/Summer 2016 and will kick-off with high-performance eco-threads manufactured by Bionic Yarn that contain plastic collected from the oceans. O’Neill will also support this partnership via grassroots efforts, Team O’Neill athlete activation and ongoing communications with the global surf and snow communities.
“O’Neill was founded from one man’s vision”, said Ward. “Our commitment to this collaboration is a step in a positive direction to clean up our oceans and help preserve the marine environment for future generations of surfers to enjoy. We are focused on creating change and look forward to working with Parley for the Oceans, an inspirational organization that shares the same vision.”
“Our coastlines are under attack from a wide range of threats, and no group is more aware of that reality than the surf community,” said Cyrill Gutsch, Founder of Parley for the Oceans. “We need all eyes on the sea, and most importantly, we need solutions. Developing a smarter replacement for existing plastic is the challenge that lies ahead. In the meantime, we know we can immediately reduce unnecessary waste and cut into the production of virgin plastic by replacing it with what’s already out there, the plastic we can collect from our coastlines and intercept from the high seas. The only way we’ll solve this mess is by working together. Collaborating with O’Neill is a crucial step in this journey.”
About O’Neill:
O’Neill, the original California surf, snow and lifestyle brand, was founded in 1952 when a young man named Jack O’Neill took his unstoppable passion for surfing and used it to battle Mother Nature. Jack’s initial vision of producing functional and innovative board riding products continues to lie at the core of everything the company does. From the first neoprene surf wetsuit and board leash to the world’s first stitchless board shorts, O’Neill will always be committed to growing its reputation as one of the world’s leading youth lifestyle brands based on being the First Name in the water.
About Parley for the Oceans:
Parley for the Oceans is the space where creators, thinkers and leaders come together to raise awareness for the beauty and fragility of the oceans and collaborate on projects that can end their destruction. The organization and movement was founded in 2012 by designer and creative entrepreneur Cyrill Gutsch, who recognized the need to provide a forum where disparate industry groups and individuals can talk and act together to protect the most important ecosystem on Earth: The Oceans.
