A Perth-based shark biologist has launched a women’s wetsuit brand called Bolde, as the performance swimwear market changes current.
Founder Amanda Elizabeth said there has been a rise in women participating in previously male-dominated water activities. According to career advising platform Zippia, women only made up 20.88% of scuba divers in 2011. In 2021, there was a spike in women participants above 30%.
Elizabeth said Bolde was created to continue female participation in water-based sports.
Bolde’s wetsuits are made for divers and snorkelers with the current range including a jacket, springsuit, steamer and a mask and snorkel set, with more accessories to be released.
All wetsuits are made from Japanese limestone-based neoprene, with products sold worldwide online.
“I love being in the ocean, but I couldn’t find a wetsuit that I was excited to wear,” Elizabeth said. “I thought, Why can’t a wetsuit be functional and stylish?"
Elizabeth promotes the conservation, education, and research of sharks through a number of initiatives including film, media, speaking engagements, shark research and school presentations.
She hosted and co-wrote a documentary for Discovery Channel’s Shark Week called Shark Soup, which highlighted the effects of the shark fin trade and Australia’s involvement in it.