Craig Anderson Has A New Suit Sponsor

Since departing Quiksilver in 2015, like fellow Former founder Dane Reynolds, Craig Anderson has been without a wetsuit sponsor. He wasn’t paying for suits—Needs were flowing them—but no brand could claim Craig to properly sit upon their roster. 

The majority of mainstream wetsuit brands—Rip Curl, Billabong, O’Neill—all come with their own apparel arrangements. And since Craig and Dane are pursuing their own clothing endeavours via Former, there’s no sense in signing to a rival, apparel producing suit co. Dane alternates between wearing Xcel and Buell suits, neither of which formally sponsor him, and up until this month Craig had a similar arrangement with Needs Essentials. 

Then, a few months ago, the one man operation that is Zion Wetsuits sent Craig an email outlining a deal. This was amidst what could be called a battle of the independent brands, with Matuse, and Needs Essentials both offering up some coin to get Craig officially on their ‘teams’. In the end, Craig opted for Zion. 

A lesser known company that has risen from relative obscurity in the stand-up surfing world over the last half-decade. With the likes of Asher Pacey, Jake Vincent, Kai Otton, Sean Mawson, and Harry Bryant (who recently jumped ship to Vans), the pyramid-centric suit brand is steadily emerging from its eclectic, previously prone roots. 

While we’re unsure whether Craig will don the Olympic ring emblazoned suits which landed a cease and desist in Zion’s inbox earlier this year, we can see him fitting snuggly amongst the mixed bag of riders that call the brand home—or are at the very least stealing suits from the shit show that is known as The Stoke Factory. Whether that be paddle-glove wearing kneelos, aggressive ‘locals’ at Aussie Pipe, or one of the few purists still pursuing ‘traditional HP booging’.  

Craig as shot by Zion alumni, Thom Robinson.

Photography

Lobster Cooked

Photography

John Respondek