Gul Watersports
It was in the early sixties that Dennis Cross, a man with a passion for surfing, decided that enough was enough. Although he loved surfing, the waters of the Atlantic were too cold, especially in winter! He therefore set about designing the first purpose built wetsuit for surfers.
Dennis began designing and making the first wetsuit, this first model consisted of two pieces, a jacket with a beaver tail and separate trousers. This first wetsuit is rumored to have been made in the back of his splitscreen camper at Fistral Beach in Newquay, Cornwall. From this humble beginning, the Gul brand was born.
By the early 70’s, Gul had created the ground breaking one-piece wetsuit, which was named ‘The Steamer’ due to the steam that came from your wetsuit when removing it on cold days! The term ‘Steamer’ is still used to this day to describe a full-length wetsuit.
The business continued to grow and by the 1980’s Gul expanded its business into Europe and the rest of the world, supplying all the growing watersports markets.
In the late 1990’s Gul entered the dinghy sailing market, launching buoyancy aids, drysuits, spraytops and all-purpose boots. This has continued to develop into the full range of sports sailing products that we produce today.
Gul has provided sponsorship for some of the highest profile athletes in the world of surf and sail. This has included surfers such as Christian Fletcher, Todd Prestage and Russell Winter. Today the Gul Team is home to inspirational surfers including Mark ‘Egor’ Harris and Tom Butler. Gul is a partner to the Danish Sailing Team, and was proud to sponsor the British Olympic Sailing Team at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Our team is key to our brand and plays an important role as ambassadors for the company, assisting us with product testing ensuring Gul products continue to improve and evolve and remain at the forefront of design.
With the continued strength of the Gul brand, opportunities to license the Gul name have resulted in our working with some very well known partners. We now license surfboards, watches, luggage, clothing, stationery and toiletries.
Since its inception our brand Gul has produced in excess of 4 million wetsuits to surfers around the world. Gul has become synonymous with quality, innovation and perfomance. For over 40 years we have been at the forefront of watersports and continue to develop new and exciting products for you!
Visit the Gul Watersports website
Latest Press Releases
Gul Watersports official clothing partner to the Falmouth Finn Festival
Gul Watersports are delighted to be the official clothing partner to the Falmouth Finn Festival. The Finn event which starts on 4th May and runs for two weeks incorporating the UK Finn Nationals and the prestigious Finn Gold Cup.
Posted on 30 Apr
Gul’s new Race Lite Spraytop
A new and innovative spraytop, manufactured using waterproof PU with a laminated bonded quick dry micro fleece, 4-way stretch material. This stretch gives a comfortable snug fitting garment.
Posted on 7 Mar
New Gul Pro Race Buoyancy Aid to be launched at the Dinghy Show
Gul is excited to be launching, at the RYA Dinghy Show, the new Pro Race Buoyancy Aid. Designed for Hiking and Trapezing, this is a high cut buoyancy aid.
Posted on 2 Mar
VR Gul Race Team formed
Gul Watersports and Virtual Rigger are delighted to announce the formation of the VR Gul Race Team.
The team which is geared towards the youth sailing market is competing on 29ers, 420s, Toppers and Laser Radials.
Posted on 29 Feb
Gul’s Code Zero wetsuits - the ultimate LongJohn
Zip free entry, super flexible neoprene and Thermospan insulation, designed to be flexible and warm. Glued and blindstitched seams keep the water out and reinforced knees for wear and tear.
Posted on 22 Feb
Gul Code Zero Hydro Spraytop
New from Gul is the Code Zero Hydro Spraytop. Manufactured using fleece lined softshell material giving a thermal top combined with taped seams make this garment warm, dry and breathable.
Posted on 8 Feb
New Code Zero Pro D-30 Hikers from Gul
After undergoing an extensive Research and Design exercise, Gul is delighted to finally bring to the market their new hikers. Manufactured using the best possible materials, Thermospan lined for warmth and liquid seaming for 100% water seal.
Posted on 1 Feb
North Sails One Design and Gul collaborate for the 2012 season
North Sails One Design and Gul announce today their collaboration for the 2012 season. Gul, the UK’s leading Watersports Company will supply the North One Design team with their on water clothing.
Posted on 24 Jan
Gul Ballistic Semi-Dry
Have you always longed for the warmth of a Drysuit with the flexibility of a Wetsuit? If so then this is for you.
Posted on 18 Jan
Gul Ballistic Drytop
Gul’s stylish new Ballistic Drytop was designed with you in mind. Engineered to perform the simple function of keeping you dry.
Posted on 11 Jan