POSITIVE IMPACT
Our founder, Jack O’Neill, was a true ocean pioneer and a passionate and dedicated surfing enthusiast. His desire to surf longer drove his original mission to design and produce the world's first wetsuit.
This passion inextricably connects O’Neill to water. As a brand created to enjoy nature, we consider it as our responsibility to actively preserve it and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable world. Our Ocean Mission is how we stay close to Jack’s original words:
“THE OCEAN IS ALIVE, AND WE’VE GOT TO TAKE CARE OF IT.”
In 1996, Jack O’Neill established the Sea Odyssey to educate students on the importance of maintaining a strong connection to the sea and the marine environment. To this day, we continue to explore new ways to carry forward Jack's original legacy, taking part in numerous projects that aim to support our community and preserve nature. Please continue reading to learn more about the positive impact initiatives and projects that O'Neill supports.
SAVE THE WAVES
O’Neill has partnered with the non-profit organisation Save The Waves Coalition to support their global efforts to preserve surf ecosystems. Both organisations share a joint mission focusing on protecting the oceans and the lasting legacy of surfing. In 2023, Save The Waves Coalition celebrated its 20th anniversary, gaining recognition for protecting, stewarding and defending surf ecosystems on an international scale with projects spanning across Mexico, Brazil, Australia, Costa Rica, the Maldives and beyond. O’Neill actively supports Saves The Waves Coalition’s goal to have 1000 surf ecosystems preserved by 2030 through various projects and activations.
SURFERS NOT STREET CHILDREN
O’Neill is a proud supporter of Surfers, Not Street Children, a non-profit organisation that helps vulnerable and impoverished children in Durban, South Africa and Tofo, Mozambique. The SNSC program fuses surfing, mentorship, and care to transform children's futures as they build a life of self-sustainability and independence.
ENDORSING EDUCATION
At O'Neill Europe, we are dedicated to nurturing the growth and development of young talent through partnerships with academic institutions. As part of one such initiative, we've established a long-term collaboration with the prestigious Delft University of Technology, specifically with its Industrial Design Engineering Faculty. Within this partnership, we challenge students to create products that incorporate sustainability and multifunctionality—product solutions designed with the future in mind. This active exploration enables us to delve into innovative concepts, research regenerative materials, and design alternatives for our upcoming collections.
