Research & Development

“Florence is one of those brands that does a really good job of tailoring products to the athletes they're trying to support and optimize athlete performance through the apparel and equipment they provide. Once we saw how much Florence cared about the details and tailoring products to specific water-based sports, the trust was there. We are stoked to be working with them."

- Jordan Janov, Janov Racing

"For our class, we're wearing a harness all day long. It can become pretty uncomfortable if the wetsuit bottom isn't fitted correctly or if there's too much material in certain areas. This wetsuit pant has done a really good job of keeping you comfortable in the harness for extended periods without causing irritation. There are many different athletes who could benefit from the product. We hope the pant we've helped develop will accommodate and support a wide range of sailors across different high-performance classes."

- Grant Janov, Janov Racing

"What we learned from the Janovs was that they’re moving incredibly fast in a wet environment. The solution for that was a non-absorbent, insulating material—specifically a smooth-skin neoprene that doesn’t absorb water on the exterior, so you don’t get the wind-chill effect. Another big learning was understanding the other gear they’re using. They’re wearing PFDs and harnesses, so there’s a lot of abrasion involved in the activity. To address that, we developed highly abrasion-resistant materials for the knees and seat. I think this product, in particular, has applications across a lot of different sports. I’d love to see a Test Pilot cycle that includes outrigger paddlers, skiff sailors, foilers, and athletes participating in other activities where this type of product could enhance their experience."

- Bruce Moore, Director of Innovation & Sustainability