Body Glove Wetsuits

The life story of twin brothers Bob and Bill Meistrell is an all-American rags-to-riches tale of building the Body Glove empire and creating the California lifestyle dedicated to the ocean.

Bob and Bill borrowed $1800 and bought out Hap Jacobs and became partners with Bev Morgan in 1953 to develop Dive N' Surf into southern California's premiere retail store dedicated to surfing and diving, while continuing to surf every day, lifeguard, and operate a commercial diving business. Bob and Bill went on to expand the business to offer full lines of surfing and diving equipment, classes and apparel at multiple locations and thereby create a southern California retail institution introducing untold numbers of people young and old to the oceans.

Bob and Bill found a new insulating material called Neoprene and invented the first practical wetsuit, opening the cold California waters to year round enjoyment for surfers and divers, including early giants of surfing like Greg Noll, Mickey Munoz and many more. The suit "fit like a glove" and Body Glove was born.