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Philadelphia, PA – June 26, 2016 – When U.S. rowers step into their boats for training at the 2016 Olympics Games in Rio, they will be setting a new benchmark in rowing apparel with Boathouse Sports’ revolutionary seamless unisuit. Boathouse Sports, the official outfitter to the U.S. National Rowing Team since 2009, today debuted its seamless apparel designed specifically for USRowing athletes to wear this summer. Boathouse’s new seamless products – unisuits, tights and sports bra – are the first of their kind in rowing apparel, using cutting-edge technology that intimately blends fibers to create a seamless product that fits like a second skin.
This revolutionary unisuit, designed for superior performance, mobility and protection, was developed in partnership with Mark A. Sunderland, Textile Engineer and Robert J. Reichlin High-Performance Apparel Chair at Philadelphia University.
In addition to its performance attributes, each seamless unisuit is knitted with an anti-microbial material that will provide an extra layer of protection for the athletes from the contaminated waters of Rio. Moreover, the unisuit is one of the most environmentally friendly pieces of apparel manufactured anywhere, with less than a gram of waste—less than the weight of a piece of paper—for each suit.
“The seamless construction and other innovations in the unisuit take it to another level of technology in performance wear,” said Sunderland, citing the suit’s moisture barrier, wicking ability, anti-microbial finish and double-layered bottom construction that enables rowers to forego underwear for more comfort and closer fit. “There’s nothing else like this out there,” said Sunderland, who spent the past year developing the suit. “We are setting a new standard of excellence in rowing wear.”
“We’re proud to partner with Boathouse Sports and recognize their ongoing dedication to high-performance and enhancing the athlete experience,” said USRowing Chief Marketing Officer Beth Kohl. “Breaking new ground and a commitment to excellence are qualities USRowing shares with Boathouse. We’re excited to be part of this new direction in rowing gear and look forward to seeing our athletes in this new unisuit while training for the podium in Rio.”
Boathouse’s leading-edge seamless unisuit also provides athletes with increased mobility from power-stretch panels that are knitted at strategic locations. It addresses the issue of heat by wicking the athletes’ sweat from inside the suit and venting their body heat through these power-mesh panels. An added benefit is the hydrophobic water repellency that works to keep rowers dry in all weather conditions.
“The technology incorporated into our seamless unisuit is extremely unique,” said Boathouse Sports Founder and CEO John Strotbeck. “Our goal was to make apparel that made the athletes feel like they were wearing nothing. We’ve come very far since I competed in the Olympics in 1984. The unisuits the rowers will be wearing in Rio are the ultimate in fit, comfort and performance. We are extremely proud to be outfitting U.S. rowers in Rio, with gear that will help them pursue the podium at the Olympic Games.”
Founded in 1989 by two-time Olympic rower John Strotbeck, Boathouse Sports has been working hand-in-hand with the U.S. National Rowing Team since 2009 to design, develop and test rowing-specific products in preparation for the 2016 racing season.
About Boathouse Sports®
Boathouse Sports® is a premier manufacturer of custom sporting apparel since 1989. Hand crafted from raw materials to finished product in Philadelphia, USA, Boathouse delivers high quality athletic gear to universities, schools and professional sports teams across the world, allowing athletes to train and compete at their best. Boathouse Sports® is the official sponsor and outfitter of the USA Olympic Rowing team and Ivy League Rugby.
Design your custom athletic apparel at www.Boathouse.com.