Industry News
Rip Curl Launches the H-Bomb - World's First Power-Heated Wetsuit (Francais au dessous)
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 23 October, 2006 : - - It’s all about heat! Rip Curl’s H-Bomb is the world’s first power heated wetsuit. It’s a wetsuit designed to keep you super-warm by positioning a source of heat on your upper back. This heats your core and allows your body to experience warm blood to your extremities.
The heat is generated by two coated fibre elements positioned on your upper back. The elements conduct electricity that generate the heat which warms the blood. Simple. The elements are made of fibre there’s no metal here so there’s no electromagnetic field generated by any metal component and there’s no metal to corrode when it’s in salt water and you’re in the barrel.
Imagine adding the warmth of the H-Bomb to your current suit type say, a 4/3mm or a 3/2mm to let you surf longer and get more waves, or bend your mind a little further and imagine dropping back to a 2mm E2 for more flexibility without sacrificing warmth. A thin layer of neoprene lies between the elements and your back to spread the heat evenly and protect your skin.
What does it feel like?
It’s an infrared heat with a therapeutic heat quality usually used to relieve muscle soreness and tension so it keeps you loose. Our first test pilot was 2005 WCT number 7 Nathan Hedge. The Hog reckons It’s one out of the box, it feels sooo good! You keep really warm, even on the low setting and it just keeps you feeling warm all over throughout. I didn’t want to give it back after the R&D session.
How is it powered?
Rip Curl’s H-Bomb is powered by two Polymer Lithium Ion 7.2v batteries. These are the same batteries found in your mobile phone, ipod and laptop computer. There is no danger of exposure to these batteries by radiation, electric shock or explosion even if it is called the Bomb! The batteries weigh 0.12kg each and are positioned on your lower back where they are cushioned against your body by a layer of neoprene sponge so you can’t feel them.
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