In 1969 Alan Green produced wetsuits on a $2500 loan from his father, the next product was sheepskin boots, and in 1973 he and John Law formed the company named Quiksilver. "At the time it was a good idea to make some money and still go surfing.”
The reputation for Quiksilver boardshorts spread quickly with a high demand for product all over Australia. In 1976 legendary surfer Jeff Hakman left Torquay with a Bells trophy and an agreement to distribute Quiksilver in the United States.
Jeff along with Bob McKnight formed Quiksilver’s first licensee, Europe followed in 1984, with Brazil, Japan, South Africa, Turkey and Asia all becoming licensees to cater to a growing market. In 1986 Quiksilver USA was listed on the stock exchange (ZQK) and has become a world leader in sports wear. Quiksilver has also been able to sponsor the world’s leading board riders. This has included six-time World Surfing Champion Kelly Slater, two-time World Surfing Champion Tom Carroll, four-time World Surfing Champion Lisa Andersen as well as the world’s leading sailboarders, snowboarders and skateboarders.
These performers have also been captured in Quiksilver's ongoing video productions that capture the freedom and adventure of this lifestyle.
Since 1969 surf town beginnings, the basis of Quiksilver has remained the same - to provide the most functional and best quality apparel and accessories for board riding. Quiksilvers’ global community is pushing forward to develop better products in all sections of the board riding lifestyle.