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April 2010
Will Trubridge's World Record 300 Foot Free Dive
New Zealand free diver Will Trubridge has once again taken the sport of free diving to new depths, setting a new world record of 92 metres in the constant weight no fins category - the first time a human has past the 300 feet mark in an unassisted dive.
March 2010
Cameron Brown wins Ninth Ironman New Zealand Title
The king of New Zealand Ironman did it again in Taupo, with Cameron Brown winning the event for a record ninth time. Cam was challenged this year by two young New Zealand triathletes, Terenzo Bozzone and Kieran Doe, but managed to overtake Doe on the bike, and Bozzone on the run. Congratulations Cam!
December 2009
William Trubridge and Natalja Molchanova Set New Free Dive World Records
Congratulations to Will and Natalja for setting new world records on their way to being crowned World Champions in the no fins category at the AIDA Freediving World Championships, held at Dean's Blue Hole in the Bahamas. The new Orca Free made its debut at the championships and feedback from the athletes has been fantastic.
November 2009
Craig Alexander Wins Sports Performer of Year Award
Congratulations to Crowie for taking out the Sydney Morning Herald's 2009 Sports Performer of the Year Award. The awards are voted on by the public and nearly 150,000 people voted for an array of Australia's top sportspeople. The award is particularly impressive given the fact a number of the other nominees came from much higher profile sports.
Orca Signs Up New Zealand Kite Surfing Champ
Proving that the performance characteristics of Orca wetsuits are of as much benefit above the water as they are in it, New Zealand's two time national kite surfing champ, Marc Jacobs, has joined the Orca team. Marc approached Orca as he felt the flexibility of our wetsuits would be ideal for kite surfing. Like Will Trubridge, who worked out that Orca wetsuits were ideal for free diving, Marc's instincts were correct. He's already put his Orca Alpha through through some demanding kite surfing sessions in his hometown of Mt Manganui on the east coast of New Zealand.
October 2009
New Zealand Summer Range and Flyer
Orca's New Zealand summer range is our most extensive yet. The summer range flyer is hot off the press and will be distributed through magazines, stores and events over the next few months. To view the flyer electronically click here.
New in summer 2009/10 is Orca's range of compression wear. Scientific testing has proved that Orca's combination of 70 denier fabric, unique double thickness Graduated Compression Zone, and ergonomic body panelling provides higher levels of graduated compression than other competitors.
Following on from the launch of the Alpha and 3.8 wetsuits earlier in 2009, the new Orca S3 sets a new benchmark for entry level wetsuits, priced at just $279. There's also a new range of the 226 triathlon range, as used by 2009 Ironman World Champion Craig Alexander, and eight times Ironman New Zealand Champion Cameron Brown. The new Core triathlon range offers a variety of apparel options for athletes of all levels.
The new Orca Merino range offers multi-activity base, mid and outer layer essentials, all made in New Zealand from 100% New Zealand merino wool. In addition, there are new Orca Run/Fitness, Cycling and Swim ranges.
You can see the new range online, at the Orca Store, 1010 Beaumont St, Westhaven, or at Orca retailers throughout New Zealand.
Crowie Takes out Kona - Again!
Congratulations to Craig Alexander for taking out his second Ironman World Champion title in a row. Crowie has been sponsored by Orca for more than five years, and the former 70.3 Ironman world champion has proven his status as one of the Ironman greats.
Craig is posting updates on his website, which you can read here.
New Orca RS1 Launched for Kona
The latest version of Orca's non-wetsuit swim legal garment, the RS1 Swimskn, has been launched in time for Kona. Craig Alexander, Chris McCormack, Cameron Brown and other top triathletes will be racing in the RS1 Swimskn, which features Orca revolutionary AeroSkn material.
Aeroskn has already proven its hydro and aerodynamic credentials, worn by medal winning triathletes and track cyclists at the Beijing Olympics, and world record holding free divers.
The RS1 Swimskn will first be available to those at the Ironman World Championship through Boca in Hawaii, and online for US customers at orca.com, and through select retailers.
September 2009
Orca CEO Scott Unsworth Blogs at nzherald.co.nz
Scott has just started a regular blog on New Zealand's most popular news website, nzherald.co.nz, talking about runnning a global business, and challenges for small and medium size enterprises. Read his first blog entry here.
August 2009
Good Results for Macca, Brown and Gemmell
Chris McCormack and Cameron Brown battled through some sweltering temperatures in the Philippines to take out second and third at the Ironman Philippines 70.3 race. The race proved an excellent hit out in the lead up to the Ironman World Champs in Kona in October.
Kris Gemmell has followed up his third place in London, by taking second place in the latest ITU World Championship Series race in Yokohama, Japan. Gemmell has showed some great form recently as he times his run in to the World Champs on Australia's Gold Coast in September.
Cath Johnston - 91 and still going strong
Check out the remarkable Cath Johnston - a 91 year old from Auckland's North Shore. She's heading off to the Master's Olympics to compete in a number of swimming races. She features on TV1's Close Up programme and you can view the interview here - click on chapter 3.
Gemmell gets on Podium in London
Congratulation to Kris Gemmell for taking third place in the latest Dextro Energy Triathlon – ITU World Championship Series race in London. In his race report Kris said he was really happy with the result as he looks to peak for the final in the Gold Coast in September.
Photoshoot with Chris McCormack
Macca joined the Orca team, and well known sports photographer Delly Carr on one of Sydney's beautiful beaches for a photoshoot for the new RS1 Swimskn (which will first be worn at Kona) and the new S3 wetsuit. You can check out one of the informal pics from the shoot, and follow Macca in the lead up to Kona through his Twitter page.
Cam Brown Departs NZ For Kona Build Up
Eight time Ironman NZ champion Cam Brown left New Zealand this week to start his build up for the World Champs in Kona. First stop is a 70.3 race in the Philippines, competing against 2007 world champion Chris McCormack amongst others. Cam took time out before he left to catch up with TV3 - view the clip here.
July 2009
Project Kaisei Expedition Departs for North Pacific Gyre
In early August Project Kaisei is launching two ships on an expedition to the North Pacific Gyre to help with its work on finding solutions for the cleanup and remediation of marine debris.
Orca has partnered with Project Kaisei, helping support the organisations work to clean the world's oceans and educate people about their impact on one of our most important resources.
The 174 foot New Horizon, a ship operated by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, one of the leading oceanographic institutes in the world, will depart from San Diego on August 2, 2009 with members from the Project Kaisei team onboard. The 150 foot Kaisei, the organization’s flagship vessel, will depart from San Francisco on August 4, 2009 with a team of leading marine scientists and experts in marine debris capture. The New Horizon, in an alliance with Project Kaisei, will conduct a 21 day expedition to the gyre for scientific research, with the Kaisei traveling for 30 days into the gyre for concurrent studies on netting and capture testing, as well as mapping/tracking observations.
You can follow the expedition and check out the team's latest videos here.
Ocean currents carry marine debris from the shores of North America and Asia to the North Pacific Gyre, an area of the Pacific north east of Hawaii. Project Kaisei will systematically study the types and quantities of marine debris, the biological impacts that these materials have on the ocean environment and marine life, and investigate innovative technologies that might offer solutions for economically cleaning up marine debris in the world’s oceans by converting waste plastics into fuel and products, from textiles to containers.
For more info visit projectkaisei.org.
Orca Flasghip Store Opens in Auckland
Orca has gone back to its original roots, opening a new store in Auckland's waterfront area. The new store at 101 Beaumont St, Westhaven, is only a few hundred metres away from one of Orca's first stores in Auckland. The store offers 200sqm of retail space, showcasing Orca's latest triathlon wetsuits and apparel, new merino collection, run/fitness, cycling and swimwear. It's also conveniently positioned on the Tank Farm loop for weekend cyclists and runners. Drop in and mention you read about the store online and get 10% off any purchase made in July and August.
Orca Official Swim Leg Sponsor - ITU World Championships
Orca is product to be the official swim leg sponsor for the ITU World Championships, to be held on the Gold Coast in Australia from September 9-13.
Orca to sponsor Takapuna Swim Run Series
Orca has partnered with the North Shore Triathlon Club in Auckland, New Zealand to sponsor the Orca Takapuna Swim Run Series. The series of nine races are held through the summer and feature a mixture of distances for the ocean swim and beach run.
New Orca Merino Range Launched
Orca has launched its first ever merino range in New Zealand. The collection is made in New Zealand from New Zealand merino and includes base, mid and outer layers. It is currently available at Smith and Caughey in Auckland, the new Orca store in Westhaven and online at orca.com.
June 2009
Orca-land
A small pod of orca killer whales stopped for a bite to eat along the shore line of Auckland's Tamaki Drive. Auckland is the location of Orca's head office, and it's great to see our namesake only a matter of metres off shore. Hundreds of people gathered to watch the orca chasing (and eating) stingrays. For the full article, and pictures click here.
Orca Wins Business Award
Congratulations Orca! Orca has just won the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong New Zealand Business Award for the best use of Hong Kong for its business at the NZ China Trade Association. Thanks to the Orca team in Hong Kong for all your hard work! Read the full article here.
May 2009
2 Second Finish!
Only weeks after winning the Honu Ironman 70.3 triathlon in Hawaii, Craig Alexander waisted no time- he went straight into another race and captured victory at the 2009 Ironman 70.3 Boise Triathlon. Alexander, the current Ironman World Champion, claimed the title with an exciting sprint to the finish alongside second place finisher, Chris Lieto. The winning time of 3:51:46, was just two seconds ahead of Lieto, who finished with a time of 3:51:48. Idaho-based professional, Kevin Everett led out of the swim, Alexander, Lieto and Gambles remained together for a majority of the race. Lieto maintained the lead on the bike and the run, until Alexander took over with only claimed the win! Check out these cool pic's of Craig Alexander and Chris Lieto crossing the finish line!
Orca RS1 Swimskn FINA approved
Orca's RS1 Swimskn has been listed among the FINA 2009 List of Approved Swimsuits. This means the RS1 Swimskn is still legal to be worn in non-wetsuit triathlon races. The RS1 Swimskn was worn by the first woman out of the water at the 2008 Ironman World Championship, and is worn by leading triathletes including Craig Alexander, Chris McCormack and Cameron Brown. A number of competitor products, previously worn in non-wetsuit races, have now be declared to be illegal by FINA.
USAT has also provided its list of garments approved to be worn at USAT sanctioned triathlons at any temperatures, and the RS1 Swimskn, RS1 Aero and Killa Race Suits are also on that list.
Orca Alpha First Out Water in Tongyeong
Orca's new Alpha wetsuit has made its mark quickly on the triathlon world, with the first man and woman out of the water wearing the wetsuit at the inaugural ITU World Championship Series race. Sara McLarty led the women out of the water in the first race, while hometown hero Chang Lon Yee emerged ahead of the men's pack.
The Alpha has already seen success with other Orca athletes, including 2008 Ironman World Champion Craig Alexander, eight times Ironman New Zealand Champion Cam Brown, Australian champion Courtney Atkinson, ITU World Cup winners Kris Gemmell and Debbie Tanner all tasting success in the Alpha. Free diver William Trubridge is also setting new world records in a variation of the Alpha.
To find out more about the new Orca Alpha and what makes it the choice of the world's best triathletes, click here.
April 2009
Courtney Takes Out Ishigaki ITU Race for Fifth Time
Orca-sponsored ITU triathlete Courtney Atkinson continues his love affair with the ITU World Cup race at Ishigaki, in Japan, winning the event for the second time in a row and the fifth time since 2000. The Australian has been in fantastic form since Christmas and adds this title to several wins in his home country, including the national sprint race.
Courtney e-mailed Orca to give us a review of the race from his perspective:
"Yesterday wasn't all smooth sailing, although it may have looked that way. After a fast swim I got out the water with six others. Up the first hill my legs weren't warmed up (water and outside air was cool and no-wetsuits) and I dropped a few metres of the back of the group a few metres turned in around 100-150m for the rest of the first lap. the five guys up the front were bombing and actually put well over a minute on the first lap into the main chase pack. Once I warmed up a bit I was red-lining for the entire lap knowing if I dropped of the was the race over. On the first bridge climb on the second lap I put everything in and tagged onto the back of the back. Took a couple of laps rest at the back and then joined in for work for the rest of the ride. but that first lap really took a fair bit out of me.
"The run went well and I was comfortable. I was able to conserve a little for the race in South Korea next weekend. Not knowing how the Russian's would run caused a bit of uncertainty initially, but once things settled down I was able to enjoy the rest of my race."
Read more about Courtney's win and the race overall at triathlon.org.
William Trubrudge breaks freediving world record.
At Dean's Blue Hole, Bahamas New Zealand freediver William Trubridge broke the world record in unassisted freediving, descending 88 meters (288 feet) and returning to the surface on a single breath of air and without the use of any weight or propulsive assistance. The dive took place as part of Vertical Blue 2009, an invitational freediving event where the world's elite freedivers compete over nine days of diving. Willam also attempted 88m on the 4th day of the event, and although he made the depth and returned to the surface he blacked out as he took his first breath, and was thus disqualified. William admits that there was a lot of anticipation and anxiety when he entered the water for another attempt , but he managed to remain calm and finished the dive in 3 minutes and 30 seconds, returning to the surface completely lucid.
Find out more at www.verticalblue.net/news/
March 2009
Great results for Orca athletes.
Two great results for Orca athletes over the weekend- Courtney Atkinson had a great start to his 2009 season, winning his home race at Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast with a time of 1:52:05. Kris Gemmell (NZ) ran a strong race, with a time of 1:52:16. Coming a close second in his first standard distance race of the year, he was delighted with his result. Read more...
Craig Alexander has followed up his success in Geelong, Australia, taking out the Ironman Singapore 70.3, ahead of fellow Australian Chris McCormack.
Debbie Tanner raced away from the field to win the New Zealand Olympic Distance national title, while Courtney Atkinson won his second title in a month to win the Australian Olympic Distance title. Orca-sponsored Cameron Brown has won his 8th consecutive Ironman New Zealand title in Taupo.
February 2009
Atkinson does it again
Courtney Atkinson has won his fourth Australian sprint triathlon title.
January 2009
An Orca in the Amazon!
Big River Man wins World Cinema Cinematography Award for documentaries at Sundance Film Festival. The documentary follows marathon swimmer Martin Strel as he swims the length of the Amazon in Orca Speedsuits.
October 2008
Craig Alexander takes out Kona!
Craig Alexander wins the Ironman World Championship in Kona. Crowie has been racing in Orca wetsuits and apparel for over five years.
April 2008
Worlds Deepest Man!
William Trubridge is The Worlds Deepest Man! Wearing nothing but an Orca Apex2, he set new world records in two of the three competitive depth disciplines in freediving - read more