In the world of surfing, innovation often takes a backseat to tradition. But when it comes to wetsuits, one man has been pushing the boundaries for over two decades. Meet Chris Lyons, a surfing enthusiast and inventor from Geelong, Australia, who has been on a mission to keep surfers warm in the water. His journey began with a simple question: why hasn't anyone done this in water? And so, the story of Wettie Warmaz was born.
Lyons' journey started with a back injury while playing football for the Geelong under-19s. He ended up working on Canadian ski fields, where he discovered hand and toe warmers sold at service stations. This sparked an idea: what if he could apply this technology to wetsuits? He began experimenting with air-activated and chemical gel packs, eventually patenting the idea in 2004 and launching his product, Hotsuits, in 2005.
However, the road to success was not without its challenges. Lyons approached Rip Curl and Quiksilver, but they went about it in a different way. He also shifted his heating method to incorporate battery heaters into a kidney belt, but the expense of scaling up his business led him to abandon the idea. Yet, he kept pushing forward, driven by his passion for innovation.
It was in tropical Sri Lanka that Lyons had his eureka moment. He discovered wireless charging technology and realized that the key to success lay in getting rid of all the wires and cables. He developed a standalone product that worked under any wetsuit, with two self-contained heating units sealed in epoxy resin, controlled by a wireless wristband.
The location of the heaters atop the kidneys was not arbitrary. Lyons had spent years experimenting, finding that the kidneys have good blood flow and sit in a natural hollow of the lower back, allowing for unrestricted movement. This design also aligns with the body's natural thermoregulation system, maintaining core temperature.
Lyons launched Wettie Warmaz last July, with an article in the Surf Coast Times. The product has since gained traction in the surfing community, with surfers like Steve Arklay and Rachel Tilly embracing it. However, Lyons' innovation has not been limited to surfers alone.
The dive units sold out first, and divers in Europe, cave divers, and ice divers have been ordering them. Jill Heinerth, a Canadian cave diver and National Geographic Canada ambassador, posted about her positive experience with the product, bringing even more attention to Lyons' invention. He now has three of the top ten diving influencers globally using the product and has sold out of the dive version entirely.
Despite the challenges and setbacks, Lyons remains dedicated to his mission. He is the only person in the world who has kept the heated wetsuit idea alive, and his product has gained recognition and success. As he continues to innovate and improve, Lyons' Wettie Warmaz is a testament to the power of perseverance and creativity in the world of surfing and beyond.
