SPORTS-DEC09-P14:SGBGolf_NEW_template 24/12/09 11:40 Page 14
Head to Head
A growing sphere
of influence
Aqua Sphere’s sales and marketing manager Martin Newton talks to Robin Barwick
about the brand’s growing presence in the swimming and triathlon markets
A
qua Sphere’s new Ironman Speedsuits were but who want to get out and do something more
launched at the 2009 Ford Ironman World challenging. Triathlons are great for your ‘weekend
Championship at Kona, Hawaii in October, but warriors’, and people find the challenge quite inspirational.
what is wrong with Bolton? They have a perfectly For those who are not strong swimmers, wetsuits these
good Ironman event there! days are so buoyant that there is no way swimmers are in
Firstly, Hawaii is the ‘Big Daddy’ of Ironman events and danger of sinking. It is hardly an effort to swim in them, it
receives massive coverage worldwide. Hawaii is where the really isn’t.
original Ironman championships were founded so the
heritage is there. It is the pinnacle of the sport to compete Aqua Sphere has reported year-on-year sales growth
in an Ironman in Hawaii. Secondly, our Speedsuits were of 20% in 2009. How have you managed this in such
developed for use in ‘non-wetsuit’ events (where water tough times?
temperature exceeds 21° Celsius), which includes Hawaii, Our Eye Protection lines are the core Aqua Sphere
while Bolton unfortunately isn’t ... at least it wasn’t the last products. We are still at the forefront of innovation when it
time I swam in Rivington Reservoir! Don’t get me wrong comes to SCUBA, snorkel and swimming eyewear. We
though, Rivington is a fantastic Ironman venue in its own have also developed a successful swimwear collection with
right. Italian-made quality, which will be key to our growth as we
continue to offer the best materials and design for
What is so special about the Speedsuits? products that are always in stock.
The snug fitting and water repellent fabric not only
provides compression to reduce muscle fatigue but also How much of the Aqua Sphere product range is
provides an element of buoyancy superior to that of a manufactured in Italy?
regular swimsuit. In the absence of ‘regular’ wetsuits, The whole of the Eye Protection range - which includes the
Speedsuits are the fastest suits in the water. swimming goggles, open water swimming masks and
accessories – is manufactured in Genoa, which is where
Are many world-class triathletes wearing the you find the highest-grade silicon. We have been
Speedsuits in competition? manufacturing down there for almost 60 years.
Germany’s Faris Al Sultan and New Zealand’s 70.3 World
Suited up: Aqua Sphere’s Martin Newton
Champion Terrenzo Bozzone were among the
(above), and (below), a jubilant swimmer
Aqua Sphere is the official swim kit partner to the
professionals who wore the Speedsuit in Hawaii. UK elite
completes the Great Swim in an Aqua
Great Swims that were launched this year. Has that
athlete and Coach Richard Allen will also wear the new
Sphere wetsuit
involvement been worthwhile?
Speedsuit in 2010. The Great Swim Series has been an unprecedented
success, attracting over 10,000 open water swimmers to
The Speedsuits are due for retail delivery in some of the most breathtaking lakes in the UK. The series
February. How has selling-in gone? is televised on Channel 4, and as official Swim brand we
Nearly all our wetsuit stockists have identified it as an aim to grow this event significantly.
important addition to their Ironman/Aqua Sphere range for
2010. The main sell through period will be from March to What else can we look forward to from Aqua Sphere
August, and we have been pleasantly surprised by the in 2010?
uplift of traditional sports retailers buying into the suit We are always expanding our product range. The UK is
range, now that they have the eye protection lines (goggles more conservative than some of our European friends
& masks) well established. when it comes to colour-ways and swimwear design, but
items such the Vista Lady and Kayenne Junior, in a variety
Is triathlon still a growing sport in the UK? of colours, will complement our 2010 swimwear collection.
Triathlon is still one of the fastest growing sports in the UK, Also look out for the new and innovative Aqua Trek, a true
with next year’s BTF race calendar set to be the busiest yet. non-slip, pool-friendly sandal.
There are BTF organised races every weekend from April to At Aqua Sphere we innovate, rather than replicate, and
September, with many indoor events during winter. There end users are certainly demanding better quality kit as
are also varying triathlon distances so people of virtually all swimming for fitness, triathlons and in the open water
ages and abilities can participate. This makes the sport continues to grow.
S
more attractive to people who might be regular gym users, www.aquasphereswim.co.uk
14 SGB SPORT DECEMBER 2009/JANUARY 2010
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