By Press Release

Billabong Partners with Freestyle Audio to Develop the World’s First Integrated Wetsuit and Waterproof MP3 Player

Exclusive Deal Combines Top-of-the-Line Wetsuit with State-of-the-Art Music Player

June 28, 2006 - Anaheim, California - Billabong and Freestyle Audio have combined forces to create the latest advancement in surf technology, a wetsuit with an integrated waterproof MP3 player called SoundWave™.  “At Billabong we constantly strive to develop product for the discerning surfer,” says Graham Stapelberg, VP Marketing at Billabong USA. “We believe integrating SoundWave with our top-of-the-line Solution Platinum delivers just that.”

"We are very excited to work with Billabong as their technology partner in the surf market,” said Lance Fried, Founder of Freestyle Audio.  "Their tremendous brand recognition, distribution, customer loyalty, and dedication to innovation will certainly serve to accelerate the inclusion of music into surfing products," continued Fried. 

The SoundWave Platinum Wetsuit as well as a stand-alone SoundWave Waterproof MP3 Player model will be available exclusively through the Billabong dealer network later this month.  “The new Solution Platinum wetsuit is the best-fitting, most comfortable wetsuit I’ve ever tried,” says Steve Avery, Manager of K5 Surf & Sport in Encinitas, a Southern California Billabong dealer. “Combined with the Freestyle MP3 Player it’s a whole new surfing experience.”

SoundWave is simple to operate, very lightweight, durable, easy to load music on and, most importantly, it floats.  Billabong’s new Solution Platinum is a specially designed wetsuit with a built-in holder for Soundwave. Made from the finest Japanese neoprene rubber and nylon jersey, these suits are the top of the high-end wetsuit products.

 

SOUNDWAVE FEATURES:

• Waterproof, completely submergible up to 10ft
• Shock resistant with skip free audio
• Holds and plays approximately 160-180 songs in mp3 format
• Easily download mp3 files with USB interface
• Rechargeable battery
• Up to 40 hours of playtime per charge
• Lightweight, unit weighs less then 35 grams
• Easy to use function buttons
• Compatible with PC/Mac

For more information news and updates check www.billabong.com and www.freestyleaudio.com. 

ABOUT FREESTYLE AUDIO

Freestyle Audio is the leading provider of active sports audio technology for use in water, snow and other extreme environments.  Freestyle Audio waterproof mp3 players have been specifically designed to allow all athletes to significantly enhance their water sport experience.  For more information about Freestyle Audio please visit www.freestyleaudio.com

 

ABOUT BILLABONG

Billabong, established in 1973, is located in Orange County, CA and is known for being a leader in the action sports industries. For more information please visit

www.billabong.com