Product Philosophy
With over twenty years of freediving experience, co-founders Hanli & Peter have explored the globe, but with every piece of new equipment bought, the question of better and more sustainable products was raised. The list of ‘how I would make this product better’ becoming so long that like-minded freedivers Paola & Domenico stepped in to help turn that long wish list into purpose built products with the highest possible sustainability standards.
AGULHAS gear is designed by free-divers for free-divers, for use in the shallows or at depth. Our products all conform to our 3 unwavering principles: PERFORMANCE, DESIGN AND POSITIVE IMPACT
1. PERFORMANCE:
Our technical freediving range maximises the aquatic experience of our founders ensuring the ultimate enhancement of your own body, giving performance at every depth.
2. DESIGN:
Alexander Taylor Design studio’s high performance innovation, combined with Hendrik Vermeulen Haute Couture expertise ensure you are not only comfortable, but look good both in and out the water.
3. POSITIVE IMPACT:
AGULHAS gear is built to last. Our technical gear uses a modular system to ensure individual pieces can be replaced, when necessary, extending the life of the product. And each element of material has been carefully chosen to ensure the highest performance, ultimate ocean style, but most importantly, its sustainable impact.
Sustainability
Not long after we started talking about AGULHAS, this question came up on a LinkedIn post by one of our co-founders. It’s such a good question! In the quest for a more sustainable future, we can all agree that rampant consumerism is one of the biggest and most complex threats to our planetary health. Voting for a better future, with your wallet, also happens to be one of the most immediate ways an everyday global citizen can express their values and decrease their personal footprint. With the unprecedented increase in ocean enthusiasts, the need for sustainable ocean exploration gear has grown significantly. So yes, we do believe the world needs a new brand, but a special kind of brand, a brand that is born from a love of the ocean. We are excited to be that brand!
AGULHAS is committed to designing technical freediving gear and ocean lifestyle apparel that not only performs well but also has minimal impact on the environment. From our materials to our packaging, every aspect of our products has been carefully considered to reduce waste and increase the lifespan of our products.
We take pride in being more overt about the materials we use and how they can be fixed, replaced, or disposed of. We believe that by opening our customers’ eyes to what they own, where it came from, and what happens to it next, we can encourage them to become environmental stewards through knowledge, not just a generic desire for a better world.
One of the ways we encourage customers to become environmental stewards is by designing modular products like our freediving mask. The modular design allows elements to be replaced if damaged, reducing the need to replace the entire product. We also use mono materials wherever possible to make our products easier to recycle, such as silicone snorkels and weight belts and stainless steel screws and buckles.
To assist the durability of more fragile products, we offer travel and storage solutions such as the Carbon Fibre fin protector and our robust watertight mask box. These solutions not only help protect our products during transit but also increase their lifespan, reducing waste and contributing to a more sustainable future.
Our team believes that sustainability is not just a buzzword but a mindset, a consistent lifestyle. We are committed to designing freediving gear that not only performs well but also has minimal impact on the environment. We invite you to join us on this journey towards more sustainable ocean exploration.