Billabong

Billabong was founded in 1973 by Gordon and Rena Merchant in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia – at the kitchen table of a small rented apartment. Gordon, a passionate surfer and shaper himself, had previously helped develop a revolutionary surfboard rail and the first leg rope. For the first boardshorts, Rena used a triple-stitch technique that gave the shorts a durability unknown at the time. The couple sold the shorts on commission to local surf shops for A$4.50 each – generating A$5,000 in revenue in their first year. They took the name "Billabong" from an Australian Aboriginal word that refers to a seasonal riverbed – a tribute to the Australian landscape.

What began as a garage business became a global surf brand in the 1980s and 90s. Billabong expanded to Japan, the USA, and Europe, becoming the epitome of the Australian surf lifestyle. The product range grew well beyond boardshorts: today, it includes bikinis and swimwear, wetsuits, t-shirts, hoodies, jackets, and accessories. The women's line in particular has developed over the years into an independent segment, with bikini designs that combine function and style in equal measure. Recently, Billabong has focused on technology with graphene-lined wetsuits and recycled materials in the Furnace Natural series – a sign of the brand's growing sustainability awareness.

Billabong has always nurtured its surf culture DNA through athlete sponsorship and contest engagement. Legends such as Andy Irons, Taj Burrow, and Joel Parkinson helped shape the brand – and Billabong-sponsored competitions like the Billabong Pro Teahupoo in Tahiti remain among the most prestigious on the WSL tour to this day. Since 2018, Billabong has been part of Boardriders Inc., the parent company of Quiksilver, which has made production more efficient – without diluting the brand's unique character.

At Surfari, you will find Billabong boardshorts, bikinis, wetsuits, and surfwear for men and women – directly in Zurich or in our online shop.