Ruby Fresh. Wetsuits designed for freshwater swimming.

Ruby Fresh. Wetsuits Designed For Freshwater Swimming.

Project 2017-08-07 23:01:43 +1200

'Ruby Fresh' is born out of the enjoyment of swimming in Lake Wanaka, sploshing around in the environment epitomised by Ruby Island and the yearly event - The Ruby Swim.

Most, if not all triathlon and open water swim wetsuits, have been designed based on use in salt water, and predominantly, warmer water.

The first two Ruby Fresh wetsuits models - The 'Flow' male and The 'Echo' female have been designed and created around the needs of fresh water i.e. less freshwater buoyancy and for predominantly cooler waters, and added to this, such is the nature of open water swimming in Lake Wanaka - it’s also important to be seen. With increasing numbers of open water swimmers and likewise, lake craft on the water, this is an important attribute.

So the three points of difference are: Buoyancy • Warmth • Visibility

These three criteria are designed to create a more efficient swim posture, enhance comfort in colder water - to keep you warmer for longer or, to increase swim duration; and lastly - to be seen. It's almost obvious, but no one's really doing it yet - to make sure you are more easily visible with out having to tow a brightly coloured float. But of course that will help...

Here's the female version - The Echo

Panel Thickness

The above diagram shows the varies thicknesses. There will be modification to some of the panels following our testing and feedback to the 100 launch suits, so don't take the above as absolute gospel. The panels have been optimised for buoyancy at specific positions; flexibility in the arm and lats / shoulder blades; and ease of removal, especially across the heel. For those wanting really fast removal, the seams on the forearm and below the knee are taped overlength to allow further cropping of the suit to personal requirements.

Watch a short video made by Otago Daily Times Journalist HERE

Buoyancy

The general idea of swimming fast is about being streamlined in the water as much as anything else. There are a number of aspects as to why this is good. Firstly, swimming fast means you do better in swim races! Thats obvious, haha... But also swimming fast feels good. That aspect is as important as the speed. The feeling you are swimming well means just as much. To create a streamlined position means altering the swimmers buoyancy profile. Since there has not been a wetsuit designed with a buoyancy profile specifically created for fresh water use, we decided to create one.

Warmth

Generally speaking lakes are colder than the sea. Lake Wanaka water temeratures, at 265m above sea level, range from 8.5°C up to 19°C. But that middle range from 11.5° through to 15.5° is a large part of the year. Numbers of active lake swimmer tend to fall away in those temperatures when 'traditional' swim wetsuits are not really made for any sort of extended time in cooler waters. With Ruby Fresh wetsuits the whole torso section including arms, and the calf panels on the leg feature a layer of Titanium. This reflects between 35 to 40% of generated heat, further increasing the temperature of the trapped layer of water in the suit beween the skin and the inner lining.

Visibility

An interesting feature is a need to make the suit as visible as possible, using colour and reflectivity, but maintaining that dolphin-like feel of the Yamamoto SCS smooth-skin layer. By using a pattern of hi-viz dayglo orange silk screened polka dots on one arm and a 'Ruby-Ring' Gold on the other, we have attained an increased level of visibility. The alternate colour arms create a 'flashing' effect. The gold SCS Neoprene has a metallic lustre which reflects beautifully in the sun. The orange stands out. Competing in the Challenge Wanaka Full Triathlon 2018 the suit stood out a mile compared to all the other black arms.

Aimed at who?

The suits are targeted for mid range ability swimmers and upwards. They are not directed at super amazing swimmers who already have the ability to swim flat in the water, and so far our testing of sample Version 1 & Version 2, with varied ability and experienced swimmers, has produced really favourable feedback.

As a triathlon wetsuit it has all the attributes of a fast suit. High quality materials, ergonomic panels and cut, attention to how the swimmer moves, ease of removal in transition.

For recreational open water swimmers it will provide a longer time in the water in colder temperatures and enhanced body positioning.

The Story

We've been working on this for well over a year already, after and in addition to, a six month search for a top quality factory.

Our suits are made in a reputable established factory. They are not someone elses design, rebranded. They are designed from first principles, from scratch, from a design driven user-centric perspective of what works in fresh water, in Lake Wanaka. The suits use various thickness from 1.5mm to 5mm of Yamamoto SCS #39 and #40 limestone neoprene.

This PledgeMe campaign will offer an exclusive limited run of 100 wetsuits. 

Two sample versions have already been made, in male and female types. We've already tested and adapted Version 1 and moved into Version 2, tested it extensively and are now ready for the PledgeMe production run with the lessons learned from Version 2.

Apart from the visibility, the dots look great in the water whilst swimming.		We've flipped the velcro over with the hooks on the stationery side.		Hi-vis 8mm polka dots, YKK 'pull up to close' zipper, gold Yamamoto Superskin SCS limestone neoprene

You will be buying one of a very special limited run of 100 wetsuits. This is a unique opportunity to be the first user of an innovative product designed by swimmers from direct observation. Function combined through Form. We are offering these suits at a price well below RRP, which will cover all costs of production and delivery to NZ, and fund the next production round. Also too, you get a very high-tech, high quality wetsuit at a great price.

The Ruby Fresh - Male 'Flow' Open Water Swim wetsuit		The Ruby Fresh - Female 'Echo' Open Water Swim wetsuit		They swim great. Feel super comfy. Lets Do This !
Eddie & Krystle 'modelling' in Lake Wanaka on a blustery day in April.

Sizing

There are seven female sizes and nine male sizes.

We will be in touch with each wetsuit buyer individually to discuss sizing following success of the campaign.

And now here’s the golden carrot… The first 100 owners, our Gold Supporters, will receive a 25% discount (on RRP) on future suits FOR EVER (we may have to introduce some basic limitations there, but with good faith on both sides, that’s the pledge we will stand by).

As one of our principle gold level early adopters we value and recognise the risk you are taking stepping into this project.

A separate eCommerce website (seperate to The Ruby Swim event website) is in the process of completion and pledged monies will be used to finalise that website, plus photography, marketing and fund some web developer time for various integration's, cloud management software and pay the monthly charges.

Notes in conjunction with the Reward levels.

Ruby Fresh Limited edition Swim caps.

60grm Silicone cap. Non Toxic, Non allergenic, textured inside for grip. Thick and durable for a long life. Limited Edition.

Swim Cap Artwork by Noah Regan-Roach - Reward 6

12"x 12" on high quality art paper. Unframed.

Original artwork by Noah

Who are we?

Ruby Fresh are two people. Eddie Spearing & Jamie Norman. We are Ruby Events Ltd. We are the founders behind The Ruby Swim, an open water swim event in Lake Wanaka, New Zealand. www.swimrubyisland.co.nz

Eddie	Jaimie

Eddie as the suit designer, is a designer in many areas of engagement with an honours degree in Engineering Design. This collaboration is a consequence of the two of us having come together through our enjoyment of lake swimming. It became evident this was a niche needing to be filled.

Here's a video we made of the first year of our swim event, which, after 10 months of preparation got blown out of existance and cancelled due to 36knot winds. But we persevered...

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