How is a SUP suit, a "dry suit for SUP", made? Insights into the production of Starboard SUP Suits at PTT in Croatia.

Four to five hours of manual labour, A Starboard drysuit for SUP, which is manufactured in the Croatian textile factory of Pro Tec Tekstil (PTT), undergoes several dozen work steps as well as intensive quality control on several levels. Starboard offers five different SUP suits from 499 euros, all of themmade in Croatia.

Functional clothing for sports on the waterrequires a high level of development, as it has to fulfil a wide range of requirements. And it is not only high customer demands that are met here. PTT proves that it is possible to produce economically and socially responsible in Europe AND offer customers a top product at a fair price. The materials for the SUP suits come from various European countries, the suits are manufactured in Croatia and distributed in Europe. A production and distribution channel based on respectful co-operation.

With the aim of providing the best possible products Peter Reinschmidt, owner of Textilproduktion PTT, and his client, Florian Brunner, Managing Director of APM Marketing GmbH and Starboard importer, work together with passion on every detail.

Eliane Droemer learnt how they harmonise form and function and had the opportunity to take a look behind the scenes of production in Croatia.

The ideal drysuit for SUP - An interview with two specialists.

Eliane: Florian, after going through the production process, it becomes clear that the development and manufacture of the suits is very complex. Why is it worth it - for me as a paddler and for you?

Florian: Our breathable SUP suits specifically fulfil the requirements for paddling ON the water. And even if you fall into the water, the material is hydrophobic, which means that the water stays on the outside. Many people paddle in neoprene. However, neoprene is designed for use IN the water. During an active movement such as paddling, you literally boil in your own juices.If you also think about wearing comfort it becomes clear why we have put a lot of work into size development: The cuts of our suits allow freedom of movement with every paddle stroke. This can be seen in the cut of the collar cuff, the stretch panels, the overcut sleeves and the cut of the entire one-piece - I have freedom of movement and am protected.

The subject of fit seems to be special for one-piece suits...

Florian: A good fit is not easy even for trousers or a jacket. However, with a one-piece suit, as with any drysuit for SUP, it is a particular challenge. This is because every movement affects the entire garment: If I stretch my arm upwards, the entire fabric stretches up to the buttocks. Added to this is the range of different body sizes for men and women. That's why we have not only spent many hours developing the standard clothing sizes, but also extra "tall" sizes for paddlers who are longer and slimmer. A total of 10 customised fits for men and women.

How can we imagine working together with Peter from PTT? How do you complement each other?

Florian:I come from SUP practice, have ideas and get feedback from customers and team riders. Peter understands the requirements and can assess what is technically feasible and can go into series production. He and his team know how to develop the cuts for the best possible fit, which is crucial.

Dry suit for SUP: Moving in it must be fun!

You say: "What looks good also rides well", so first the feel-good factor and then the function?

FlorianMovement must be fun. With the breathable 3-layer stretch material, we believe we have found the best material for stand-up paddling, because you can create visually appealing cuts for both men and women. You can simply see the difference.

"We have invested a lot of time in the development of the 10 one-piece fits for men and women and redefined them from the ground up." Florian Brunner, APM Managing Director and developer of the Starboard SUP Suits

Peter, you have been producing in Croatia since 2008. Why Croatia?

Peter: The north of Croatia has an old and long textile tradition, and knowledge about textiles and their processing is concentrated here like nowhere else in Europe. Half of my time is spent there and half in Munich, where our own brand Hyphen is based.

How many and which companies are among your customers?

Peter: We currently manufacture cycling clothing for 18 customers, including our own brand Hyphen, Starboard and other sustainable brands such as Bleed and Triple2, as well as PUMA.

Is PTT certified?

Peter:Yes, last year we went through two comprehensive certification processes at the same time: we received the ISO 9001:2015 certificate for quality management in the area of processes. At the same time, we underwent a very comprehensive audit by PUMA. In terms of the A to D rating, we received A+ certification from PUMA. Laboratory Performance, Environmental Concern, Health and Safety and Anti-Corruption were audited.

Florian, were these the arguments that persuaded you to work with us?

Florian:I realised that a relatively small manufacturer could best realise our goal of producing highly functional SUP clothing. That was the deciding factor. The icing on the cake is the collaboration with Peter, with whom I worked so well in the windsurfing industry back in the 80s. The fact that we have found a reliable and high-quality partner close by is particularly valuable in these times.

"A membrane is not an all-purpose weapon. There are many false expectations." Peter Reinschmidt

Peter, the suit's 3-layer material and welded seams are waterproof. Under what conditions does the suit work best?

Peter:Firstly, it must be said that a membrane is not an all-purpose weapon. There are many false expectations surrounding waterproof, breathable clothing. A membrane only works optimally under certain conditions:

• Highest possible temperature gradient from the microclimate in the suit to the ambient air temperature
• During exercise that generates low to moderate amounts of sweat vapour
• If the material is neither soiled on the inside (e.g. by body oils) nor on the outside (e.g. by dust). Regular washing and waterproofing is therefore also important

Otherwise the moisture will build up inside and the suit will feel clammy, even though no moisture has penetrated from the outside.

Florian:And if the SUP suit fits properly. I had a customer who complained twice, saying that the suit wasn't tight. It turned out that the suit was too small. As the suit was too tight, the material stretched and holes appeared in the pores, resulting in a loss of waterproofness.

"It is important to care for SUP suits regularly to maintain their function: First wash with a special detergent, then impregnate the outside with a spray, i.e. renew the "finish" and ideally iron it in at a low temperature."
Peter Reinschmidt

Fitting at a specialist retailer makes sense

Florian, does it make sense to buy such a "customised" SUP suit online or is it best to go to a specialist shop to try it on?

Florian: If I want to find the perfect suit for me, it is certainly better to try it on in a specialist shop and get advice. If I buy online, I should be aware of what type of clothing I am, loose fit (more freedom of movement) or tight fit - then the size can be better determined. Never choose too small, for the reasons mentioned above. You can find a size chart on our website so that you can find the right size by measuring your own chest, waist, hips, etc.
Specialist dealers and care instructions for the suits are on starboard-techwear.com .

Thank you very much for the interview.