History of the Freediving Wetsuit

Freediving, the act of diving underwater without the use of breathing apparatus, has been practiced for thousands of years. However, it wasn’t until the 20th century that the development of the wetsuit made it possible for divers to stay in and under the water for longer periods of time.

The first dive wetsuits were made of rubber and were used by U.S. Navy divers in the 1940s. These early wetsuits were thick and bulky, making them difficult to move in, but they provided a significant improvement in warmth and protection compared to diving without any suit at all.

In the 1950s, neoprene, a synthetic rubber material, was invented. This new material was ideal for use in wetsuits as it was more flexible and less buoyant than the natural rubber that was available at the time. The first neoprene wetsuits were made by a company called Dive N’ Surf, who is still in business today.

Image: Diver John Foster wears two of Bradner’s early neoprene wetsuit prototypes, circa 1952. Images courtesy of Scripps Institution of Oceanography Archives, UC San Diego Library.

As freediving grew in popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, wetsuit manufacturers began to focus on creating suits specifically for this type of diving. These wetsuits were thinner and more flexible than the earlier rubber suits, and they were designed to provide maximum flexibility and freedom of movement for the freediver.

In the 1980s, manufacturers began to experiment with different types of neoprene, such as closed-cell and open-cell, in order to create wetsuits that provided better insulation and flexibility. They also started to use different types of lining, such as fleece and titanium, to further improve the wetsuit’s performance.

Today, wetsuits for freediving are made with a variety of materials, including neoprene, nylon, and spandex, and they are designed to be as comfortable and flexible as possible while still providing excellent insulation and protection. Some modern wetsuits are also equipped with special features such as built-in weights and quick-release zippers to make diving and donning and doffing the suit easier.

Overall, the development of the wetsuit has played a crucial role in the evolution of freediving. From the first rubber wetsuits of the 1940s to the modern high-tech suits of today, wetsuits have allowed divers to stay underwater for longer periods of time, explore deeper depths, and experience the beauty of the underwater world in a safe and comfortable way.