The new Alpha, its not for everyone
May 25, 2020
These swimmers, known as Natural Swimmers, have a very refined technique without technical errors, which allows them to maintain an optimal position in the water without the need for assista
The Orca Alpha wetsuit is ideal for the most technical swimmers. These swimmers, known as Natural Swimmers, have a very refined technique without technical errors, which allows them to maintain an optimal position in the water without the need for assistance with buoyancy. The Alpha wetsuit has been designed so that the most experienced swimmers will not feel any impediment to their swimming and in order to achieve this freedom they need, Orca uses the latest technology which improves hydrodynamics and flexibility.
Super Composite Skin (SCS) and nano Super Composite Skin (nano SCS) technologies minimize water resistance on the wetsuit, ensuring that the swimmer's speed is at its maximum. The Alpha stands out as the most flexible wetsuit on the market, thanks to 0.88 Free and 44 Cell technologies, both developed by Yamamoto Corporation.
0.88 Free panels are placed in the arms and back in order to ensure maximum stroke amplitude, allowing the experienced wearer to swim as if they are not wearing a wetsuit. These panels are very thin, 0.88 millimeters thick, and are combined with a titanium lining that ensures correct thermal insulation and maintains body temperature.
Another highlight of the Orca Alpha is the 8 mm YKK inverse zipper, with a shorter length than the rest of the zippers on the market. The use of a shorter zipper provides greater elasticity and its use does not reduce the speed of transitions thanks to the use of elastic materials in the rest of the wetsuit, such as Yamamoto 44 Cell 1.5 mm. Without the development of this component, the wetsuit's construction at the top could not be as flexible and this technology is only made possible in this model because of the elasticity of the entire wetsuit. Other swimmers with worse technique cannot benefit from this technology because they need more support in the hip and leg area to improve their performance.
This product's unique design is based on the best materials available on the market. Orca works closely with Yamamoto Corporation to develop new materials for its wetsuits, such as Yamamoto 44 Cell or 0.88 Free. It is also the only brand that is certified to make all its suits using exclusively Yamamoto material, ensuring the highest quality in all its wetsuits.
Yamamoto Corporation was the first manufacturer to develop neoprene from limestone, thus avoiding the use of oil, as was done until then. This was revolutionary in the sector, as it meant an improvement in material performance: limestone neoprene is more waterproof, lightweight and durable than oil-based neoprene, as well as providing more warmth and flexibility in its use. For this and other achievements, the Japanese company has been a pioneer in the quality and innovation of the wetsuit industry, thanks to its advanced production techniques and its high processing capacity.
In addition to this agreement, this year we will also celebrate the brand's 25th anniversary. This 2020 will be a quarter of a century leading the market, offering high-quality wetsuits, without losing sight of our essence and origins from which we began. The values that guide the brand have been key to the growth and consolidation of the brand, so we will remain at the forefront of innovation, committed to this sport and this world, for many more years.
As part of this commitment, Orca has begun the transition to eliminating all plastics from its packaging in 2020 production, which will be completed in 2021.
In addition, the new RS1 Swimskin was launched in the Kona IronMan this year, which has 100% natural material, made from plants instead of oil. Since 2018, our entire textile production has been carried out in Europe, which has allowed us to increase the quality of our products and in turn, reduce CO2 emissions.
“It is a complex process because we want to do it in an honest way and there are countless details that need to be worked out. In the coming months, once we finish the process, we will make the solutions we find available to users and other brands, so that they can also implement them if they want or search for more optimal solutions for all.” Tomas del Olmo – Orca CMO.
Although we have quite a way to go in terms of sustainability, we are aware that part of the charm of our passion is the environment in which it is developed; this is why we do not understand practicing the sport without taking care of what makes it so epic: nature.