Body Glove Wetsuits

Body Glove is one of the first wetsuit companies out there. If fact, there is even some controversy about who invented the first wetsuit ever - O'Neill or Body Glove. It all begain in 1953 when twin brothers Bill and Bob Meistrell co-founded Body Glove and designed the first practical wetsuit.

Bill and Bob were always fascinated with the water. When the moved to Manhattan Beach in 1944 they immediately fell in love with the ocean and began surfing. After graduation they both became lifeguards. In 1953 they bought a share in the local marine / dive shop, Dive N’ Surf. They were also constantly trying to find ways to keep warm in California’s cold water. They tried everything from wartime electrically heated flyers suits to wool sweaters.

Finally in 1953, they discovered an insulating material called neoprene that was used in the back of refrigerators. They used it to make the first practical wetsuit and it helped them to buy the remaining share of the Dive N’ Surf which became the home of “The Body Glove.”

Today Body Glove is still family owned and the still make one of the best wetsuits out there.

With an impressive history comes also an impressive list of people that were on the Body Glove team. Former sponsored athletes include Gerry Lopez, Jeff Hackman, Peter Townsend, Ian Cairns, Larry Bertlemann, Allen Sarlo, Herbie Fletcher, Rell Sunn, Joey Buran, Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Shane Dorian, Pat O’Connell, CJ Hobgood, Bruce Irons, Dusty Payne and even Laker legends Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kurt Rambis who wore Body Glove knee supports during the Showtime Years.