Billabong
Billabong is a boardshort and bikini brand committed to the leading edge of surf culture. Founded in 1973 in Australia by visionary surfboard shaper and designer Gordon Merchant, Billabong is laser-focused on sharing the magic feeling of wave riding with the world. That feeling comes to life in many forms, from award-winning boardshorts and swimwear to an eclectic bunch of culture-defining ambassadors to a legacy of game-changing experiences from the ocean to the mountains and beyond. Merchant originally envisioned a world where surfers and the surf-inspired feel special — like they’re the luckiest people on the planet. Now distributed in more than 100 countries across the globe, Billabong remains dedicated to his original vision — and making that feeling even more special tomorrow.
History
ITALO FERREIRA : WORLD CHAMPION
Following a tradition of Billabong-sponsored People’s Champs, Brazilian Italo Ferreira shocked the surf world by winning both the Billabong Pipe Masters and the world title in one swing. No champion has ever been so “stoke-ed.”
2019
RECYCLER PROGRAM: ALL BOARDSHORTS
Since 2008, Billabong has committed to lightening its global production footprint by using recycled plastic bottles in its boardshort fabric. This effort was formally recognized by The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association in 2019 as it named Billabong’s Recycler boardshort program Environmental Product of the Year. To date, more than 100 million bottles have been repurposed into your favorite pair of boardshorts.
2019
BILLABONG X SINCERELY JULES
Billabong Women’s set a new bar for high-energy product collection and marketing campaigns with the Sincerely Jules launch. Not only did it break records in sell-through and units, it proved there can be a seamless global execution between digital and physical worlds.
2019
BILLABONG X ANDY WARHOL
In the tradition of mashing up surf culture with iconic artists and other creatives and brands, Billabong launched Billabong Lab: an ongoing series of unlikely product collections. First out of the gates was Billabong x Andy Warhol, and it was instantly a classic.
2017
ADVENTURE DIVISION LAUNCHES
Inspired by an internal name for our most rugged, element-tested gear, Billabong launched its first official Adventure Division line. The world’s best big wave surfer Shane Dorian became a champion for the product, informing and improving with each new season.
2015
A BIKINI KINDA LIFE
The campaign celebrated life spent in a bikini and a spirit of colorful expression, carefree adventure and passion for the surf.
2014
BILLABONG V1 LIFE VEST
After a near death wipeout at Mavericks in 2011, Shane Dorian – the world’s best big wave- surfer – designed and tested an inflatable life vest for critical heavy water situations.
2014
LIFE’S BETTER IN BOARDSHORTS
One of the great universal truths that remains a defining brand campaign today.
2013
PARKO WINS THE WORLD TITLE
After four runner-up finishes, Joel Parkinson finally got the monkey off his back by winning the Pipeline Masters and the World Title on the same day.
2012
SURF CAPSULE
Born out of our love for the ocean and a desire to pay homage to the roots of Billabong, our Surf Capsule collection paired style and performance together in full celebration of women in the water.
2010
I SURF BECAUSE
The campaign celebrated the individuality of surfing and Billabong’s diverse personalities. The team spoke from their hearts and let us in on why surfing ignited their passion and changed their lives.
2010
RECYCLER
The Recycler boardshort program began, and turned plastic bottles into performance boardshorts. To date, the Recycler program has taken more than 100 million bottles out of landfills.
2007
DESIGN FOR HUMANITY
Billabong’s annual marquee event supported humanitarian and environmental charities through an evening of art, music, fashion and surf culture.
2007
BOARDSHORTS RISING SUN
The most iconic boardshorts of all time became famous by the most iconic surfer of the modern era. Andy Irons in the Rising Sun boardshorts captured the boundlessness of the new millennium, and the surf world followed.
2005
ANDY IRONS WINS FIRST WORLD TITLE
The hugely popular Kauaian tore through pro surfing, winning three consecutive world titles with a compelling brand of heart-on-sleeve surfing.
2002
BILLABONG XXL AWARDS
The annual Billabong XXL Awards recognized the heroes of big-wave surfing at a time when big-wave surfers were expanding the boundaries far beyond the paddle realm. Billabong team rider Mike Parsons won the first Biggest Wave award, a 66-footer at Cortes Bank.
2001
OCCY CHAMPION DU MONDE
After coming close 15 years earlier, and having almost given up professional surfing altogether, Mark Occhilupo wrote the greatest comeback story in the sport with his first world title.
1999
LAYNE BEACHLEY: WORLD CHAMPION
The unflappable Layne Beachley (and Billabong team rider) won her first of seven world titles and began her journey to become the most successful female of all time.
1998
THE FIRST BILLABONG CHALLENGE
As pro surfing became increasingly structured, Billabong launched its own surf contests. It placed the best surfers in the best waves…eventually leading to today’s WCT Dream Tour.
1995
THE FIRST ZIPPERLESS WETSUIT
Billabong patented the world’s first zipperless wetsuit, turning wetsuit design on its head and setting the template for wetsuits today.
1994
BILLABONG’S FIRST SNOW OUTERWEAR
Billabong headed to the mountains, and released its first snow outerwear line and signed its first snow team rider, Noah Slasnek.
1992
SURF INTO SUMMER
Billabong launched the era of the VHS surf movie. Instantly, every grommet paddled out thinking he’s Occy or Jason Buttenshaw.
1987
BAD BILLYS
Part punk, part skate, part surf, the Bad Billys collection fused these counter-culture movements together under the trademark skull and cross bones. It broadened the brand, closed the door on dayglo, and ushered in a hardcore era when the streets met the beach.
1987
BILLABONG PRO
At a time when the tour was largely held in weak, city beach breaks, Billabong raised the prizemoney and created a mobile event on the North Shore of Oahu, waiting for the biggest swell of the winter.
1985
THEY STRETCH!
Billabong developed the first stretch boardshort — and redefined in-water performance product in the process.
1985
LONG BONGS
When the world was making short boardshorts, Billabong disrupted the market by going long.
1982
BILLABONG GOES ABROAD
Billabong successfully expanded from a Queensland-only brand into a global company.
1980
BILLABONG WELCOMES JOE ENGEL
Electrifying Queensland regular-foot Joe Engel becomes Billabong’s first pro rider.
1975
THE FIRST BILLABONG BOARDSHORTS
Hand-cut from durable, heavyweight canvas, Billabong’s first pair of boardshorts are hand-sewn on the Merchants’ North Burleigh kitchen table. The shorts soon evolve with a triple stitch and flat thread for comfort.
1973
OUR FIRST BIKINI
Rena Merchant stitched and sold crocheted bikinis from the back of her van in Angourie, New South Wales, and began a tradition of casual beach style that lives on with Billabong Women’s today.
1972KEY PRODUCTS CATEGORIES
BOARDSHORTS / BIKINIS / WETSUITS / ADVENTURE DIVISION / OUTERWEAR / APPAREL & FOOTWEAR / ACCESSORIES
It all starts with the best boardshorts and bikinis.
The philosophy is simple: make the best quality products for surfers around the world. By seamlessly blending uncompromising quality and original design with our deep heritage of surfing, we’re always looking forward while remembering where we came from. Billabong strives to place a premium on quality craftsmanship and design across multiple key product categories. Billabong has evolved with a passion for surf not only as a sport, but as a lifestyle that extends to every facet of our culture: art, music and style. Our deep connection to the ocean inspires everything we create; an authentic love that’s led us to become a leader in surf apparel and accessories. By seamlessly blending uncompromising quality and original design with our deep heritage of surfing, we strive to be like the surfer waiting for their next wave: always looking forward while remembering where we came from.
Athletes
Men’s: Italo Ferreira, Griffin Colapinto, Seth Moniz, Ethan Ewing, Jack Freestone, Ryan Callinan, Frederico Morais, Shane Dorian, Joel Parkinson, Mark Occhilupo, Tyler Warren, Creed McTaggart, Shaun Manners, Josh Moniz, Eithan Osborne, Finn McGill, Chris Burkard, Bode Merrill, Wolfgang Nyvelt, Tadashi Fuse, Garrett Warnick
Women’s: Laura Enever, Alessa Quizon, Felicity Palmateer, Isabella Nichols, Macy Callaghan, Josie Prendergast, Pacha Light, Jaleesa Vincent, Maddie Mastro
The team is our DNA.
Learn More
Billabong Mens
Billabong Womens
