World Surf League Launches Jersey Line Allowing Fans To Support Individual Surfers

The World Surf League has launched a jersey line, which "offers a new revenue stream for the league and a chance for fans to show support for a favorite surfer," according to Laylan Connelly of the ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER. The jerseys have "surfers’ names and their chosen numbers, along with a flag from the country they represent." The WSL last year "debuted branded gear with hats and T-shirts, but this is the first time the jerseys have appeared" at the annual U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. Kelly Slater's No. 11 has been the "top seller" so far at this year's event. Merchandise "sold out at a recent World Tour surf contest in Rio de Janeiro, not surprising" considering the past two world champions -- Adriano de Souza in '15 and Gabriel Medina in '14 -- are Brazilian. WSL CMO Scott Hargrove said that other top-selling surf jerseys "boast the names of Hawaii’s John John Florence and Australia’s Mick Fanning" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 7/28).