The Lorica is a compression vest for big-wave paddle surfing.
Matt (head product designer at Matuse wetsuits) and I talked about coming up with a design that allows for complete mobility while at the same time having enough buoyancy to help me get to the surface during life-threatening hold-downs.
This vest is not on the market because the team and I need to do some additional testing. Going to take it through some more serious beatdowns before we have adequate feedback for Matuse to make a production model.
Compression vests are not designed for surfers to throw caution to the wind and paddle into waves that we otherwise wouldn’t. We can never depend on a material good enough to save our lives and should always prepare for the worst when surfing big waves.
I don’t surf big waves unless I am confident in my health and mental state before each session.
So far the vest has worked really well. Keep you posted on the Lorica and the latest in big-wave paddle wetsuit designs from Matuse as they come to life.
Video: Chief product designer Matt Larson breaks down the Lorica.
Photo: John Maher in Hawaii, by Hank
I live on the north shore and was wondering if i can be a tester? I was doing research on vests and i didn’t like the few i saw. i like how the foam is in front and i like that its all black and not all flashy like the billabong ones. anyway just wondering???
Hi, be best to contact Matuse directly through http://www.matuse.com. See you out there!