Billabong Life Vest

Billabong Life Vest

The History of O'Neill clothing

O'Neill is one of the most popular surf boards, surf wear and equipment brands across the world. It is noted for its wetsuits, swimsuits and clothing for both men and women. Where did O'Neill originate from? Who thought of it?

 

Back in the day, surfing was limited to areas that were reasonably warm. This was because of the lack of appropriate clothing – imagine swimming in freezing waters in nothing but your swim trunks or swim suits. This meant that swimming in colder climates was limited to short bursts of time, or to very few individuals who could withstand the harsh cold conditions. Frustration by these limitations led to the invention of wetsuits. Jack O'Neill, a surfer in San Francisco who constantly had to battle with swimming in cold water, dedicated his life to inventing ways to keep surfers warm.

 

In the early 1950's, recently unemployed Jack O'Neill set up a surf shop in his garage, which was close to the beach. He made surf boards out of balsa to earn a living, while he experimented with vests and other material that would help keep a surfer warm in cold waters. After various unsuccessful attempts, with lots of trial and error and immense dedication and determination, he finally came up with a solution. First he experimented with poly vinyl chloride (PVC), which is a good insulating material. However, it was difficult to work with and so, he had to move onto another material. His next option was plastic foam, which was also lacking in functionality. Finally, he used neoprene.

 

Neoprene is a synthetic rubber that has excellent insulating features, and is also flexible and buoyant. Its key feature is that it is able to maintain flexibility over a wide temperature range. Jack O'Neill discovered that using neoprene was perfect for the swimming vests and started to produce a few. When the vests started to sell, Jack decided that it was time to go into the wetsuit business. And thus, the neoprene wetsuit was born.

 

Jack O'Neill soon moved his surf shop down the coast from San Francisco to Santa Cruz. To this date, this is where their surfing division headquarters are still located. He made many improvements to the wetsuits over the years – adding nylon backing to help get into the suit and so on. Also, the surf shop began to branch out to making clothing, and their clothing division headquarters are now located in Irvine, California.

 

 

 

About the Author

Find out more information about O'Neill clothing and where to buy them from here http://www.wipeoutonline.co.uk/.

Billabong No Secrets Vest (Whitecap) $69.5 The women's Billabong No Secrets vest is made of 60%cotton/40%viscose. It features a hand crochet vest, an exaggerated fringe, and an open front.

Billabong Randall Vest (Black) $68 The women's Billabong Randall vest is made of 100%nylon. It features a zipper front closure, a nylon puffer with removable drawstring hood, waist pockets, and a woven logo patch.

Billabong Randall Vest (Olive) $68 The women's Billabong Randall vest is made of 100%nylon. It features a zipper front closure, a nylon puffer with removable drawstring hood, waist pockets, and a woven logo patch.

Billabong Follow Me West Vest (Crystal Blue) $59.5 The women's Billabong Follow Me West vest is made of 60%cotton/40%rayon. It features an open front, a loose knit sleeveless sweater, and a melanged gradient stripe.

Adult Life Vest $37.99 Fly Racing Adult Life Vest 200 Denier Oxford Nylon shell Unisex sizing U.S. Coast Guard approved Type III Great vest at a great price

Billabong Trenton Full Zip Jacket - Marine $90 Don't you hate when people try to tie you down and force you to make a decision? All you want to do is roam through life doing what you love. Well, we are here to tell you there's nothing wrong with that. The Trenton jacket from Billabong allows you to be yourself, and change on a moment's notice. This quilted break-up jacket features a slightly puffy vest with a two-tone color scheme and removable fleece hood and sleeves. So go ahead — go trekking through the woods on a crisp fall day and contemplate life. Or ditch the heavy thinking and grab a drink with the guys. Whatever you do, this jacket's got your back.

ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR / LIFE VEST, INFANT CHARACTER / 3600-0108 $34.98 ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR - LIFE VEST, INFANT CHARACTER - 3600-0108

ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR / LIFE VEST, CHILD CHARACTER / 4601-0114 $34.98 ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR - LIFE VEST, CHILD CHARACTER - 4601-0114

Youth Life Vest $29.99 Fly Racing Youth Life Vest 200 Denier Oxford Nylon shell Unisex sizing Child and Youth vests are U.S. Coast Guard approved Type III Size information: 50-90lbs

Child Life Vest $28.99 Fly Racing Child Life Vest 200 Denier Oxford Nylon shell Unisex sizing Child and Youth vests are U.S. Coast Guard approved Type III Size information: 30-50lbs

Infant Life Vest $28.99 Fly Racing Infant Life Vest 200 Denier Oxford Nylon shell Unisex sizing Infant vests are U.S. Coast Guard approved Type II Size information: under 30lbs

Women's Neoprene Life Vest $73.99 Fly Racing Women's Neoprene Life Vest Made with 1.5mm Neoprene for ultra comfort and durability Zipper closure with 2 belt straps Extra large arm holes for freedom of movement Strength tested at 50mph (22.4 m/s) U.S. Coast Guard approved Type III Not tested for personal protection from impact

Pullover Life Vest $56.99 Fly Racing Pullover Life Vest 200 Denier Nylon outer shell PVC foam construction Extra large arm holes for freedom of movement Pullover design eliminates buckles on front chest U.S. Coast Guard approved Type III

Neoprene Life Vest $80.99 Fly Racing Neoprene Life Vest Made with 1.5mm Neoprene for ultra comfort and durability Zipper closure with 2 belt straps Extra large arm holes for freedom of movement Strength tested at 50mph (22.4 m/s) U.S. Coast Guard approved Type III Not tested for personal protection from impact

Billabong Fin Of Life T Shirt (Black) $24.5 The men's Billabong Fin Of Life t shirt is made of 100% organic cotton. It features a regular fit, a crew neck, and a softhand screen print design collaboration with Surfer Dave Rastovich.

Billabong Fin Of Life T Shirt (Bright Green) $24.5 The men's Billabong Fin Of Life t shirt is made of 100% organic cotton. It features a regular fit, a crew neck, and a softhand screen print design collaboration with Surfer Dave Rastovich.

Billabong Fin Of Life T Shirt (Navy) $24.5 The men's Billabong Fin Of Life t shirt is made of 100% organic cotton. It features a regular fit, a crew neck, and a softhand screen print design collaboration with Surfer Dave Rastovich.

Speed and Strength Mens Hard Knock Life Leather Vest $179.96 . Speed and Strength Men's Hard Knock Life Leather Vest

Stearns / Stearns 2220 Comfort Series Life Vest - Tan - Medium / 2000007020 $42.83 Stearns - Stearns 2220 Comfort Series Life Vest - Tan - Medium - 2000007020

ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR / LIFE VEST, CHILD GENERAL PURPOS / 3332-0131 $32.88 ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR - LIFE VEST, CHILD GENERAL PURPOS - 3332-0131

ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR / LIFE VEST, CHILD GENERAL PURPOS / 3332-0132 $32.88 ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR - LIFE VEST, CHILD GENERAL PURPOS - 3332-0132

ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR / LIFE VEST, YOUTH GENERAL PURPOS / 3352-0131 $32.88 ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR - LIFE VEST, YOUTH GENERAL PURPOS - 3352-0131

ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR / LIFE VEST, YOUTH GENERAL PURPOS / 3352-0132 $32.88 ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR - LIFE VEST, YOUTH GENERAL PURPOS - 3352-0132

ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR / LIFE VEST, UNIV, ADULT GENERAL / 3570-0131 $32.88 ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR - LIFE VEST, UNIV, ADULT GENERAL - 3570-0131

ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR / LIFE VEST, UNIV, ADULT GENERAL / 3570-0132 $32.88 ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR - LIFE VEST, UNIV, ADULT GENERAL - 3570-0132

Stearns / Stearns 2220 Comfort Series Life Vest - Tan - Small / 2000007014 $42.83 Stearns - Stearns 2220 Comfort Series Life Vest - Tan - Small - 2000007014

ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR / LIFE VEST, LG, LADIES' NEOPRENE / 4505CHR04 $58.01 ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR - LIFE VEST, LG, LADIES' NEOPRENE - 4505CHR04

ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR / LIFE VEST, S/M, SHOAL PADDLE SP / 5010SAP03 $62.71 ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR - LIFE VEST, S/M, SHOAL PADDLE SP - 5010SAP03

ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR / LIFE VEST, L/XL, SHOAL PADDLE S / 5010SAP05 $62.71 ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR - LIFE VEST, L/XL, SHOAL PADDLE S - 5010SAP05

ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR / LIFE VEST, S/M, PIKE PADDLE SPO / 5020DKG03 $58.01 ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR - LIFE VEST, S/M, PIKE PADDLE SPO - 5020DKG03

ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR / LIFE VEST, L/XL, PIKE PADDLE SP / 5020DKG05 $58.01 ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR - LIFE VEST, L/XL, PIKE PADDLE SP - 5020DKG05

ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR / LIFE VEST, S/M, RIVERTON PADDLE / 5030RED03 $70.89 ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR - LIFE VEST, S/M, RIVERTON PADDLE - 5030RED03

ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR / LIFE VEST, L/XL, RIVERTON PADDL / 5030RED05 $70.89 ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR - LIFE VEST, L/XL, RIVERTON PADDL - 5030RED05

ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR / LIFE VEST, CHILD FLEX-BACK, RED / 1461RED99 $55.49 ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR - LIFE VEST, CHILD FLEX-BACK, RED - 1461RED99

ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR / LIFE VEST, CHILD FLEX-BACK, PIN / 1461PNK99 $55.49 ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR - LIFE VEST, CHILD FLEX-BACK, PIN - 1461PNK99

ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR / LIFE VEST, S/M, ADULT DUAL-SIZE / 4510RED03 $58.01 ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR - LIFE VEST, S/M, ADULT DUAL-SIZE - 4510RED03

ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR / LIFE VEST, 2XL/3XL, SHOAL PADDL / 5010SAP07 $62.71 ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR - LIFE VEST, 2XL/3XL, SHOAL PADDL - 5010SAP07

ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR / LIFE VEST, 2XL/3XL, PIKE PADDLE / 5020DKG07 $58.01 ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR - LIFE VEST, 2XL/3XL, PIKE PADDLE - 5020DKG07

ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR / LIFE VEST, 2XL/3XL, RIVERTON PA / 5030RED07 $70.89 ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR - LIFE VEST, 2XL/3XL, RIVERTON PA - 5030RED07

Stearns / Stearns 2220 Comfort Series Life Vest - Tan - XXL / 2000007023 $43.69 Stearns - Stearns 2220 Comfort Series Life Vest - Tan - XXL - 2000007023