Beloved Australian family owned beachwear apparel brand Okanui, has just announced its sponsorship of the Antipodes yacht in the 2024 Rolex Sydney to Hobart yacht race. The investment will see the yacht fully branded, as well as the full team racing head to toe in Okanui kit for the duration of the race.
Antipodes, the Santa Cruz 72, will disembark on the 26th of December to compete in the annual race, following its debut in 2022. Antipodes owner, investment banker Geoff Hill, will be racing for the 21st and final time. His team has an all male crew, apart from one female sailor, his daughter Natasha Parker.
“This sponsorship is incredibly special for us at Antipodes,” said Geoff Hill, owner and skipper. “Okanui’s deep family heritage and focus on quality resonates with our values as a team. Not to mention we’re excited to represent such an iconic Australian brand on this incredible journey”.
Okanui’s sponsorship of the family-oriented Antipodes team aligns with its own rich family legacy. The brand was founded in 1978 by Dick Ash, who at just 15, crafted his first pair of board shorts using his mum’s sewing machine and old canvas mail bags from the Avalon Post Office. For over 45 years Okanui has remained a family owned business, with Dick’s niece Wendy Kasprowicz and her husband Simon now at the helm, focusing on producing high-quality, fun and comfortable clothing.
“Partnering with Antipodes is a natural fit for Okanui,” said Simon Kasprowicz, CEO at Okanui. “Both Okanui and Antipodes share a love for adventure, tradition, and the unique bonds that bring families and communities together. We’re proud to be part of this historic race and look forward to showcasing our brand in such an exciting and meaningful way.”
Since rebuilding the boat in 2019, Antipodes has sailed over 250,000 miles, competing in iconic races such as Antigua Race Week and the Rolex China Sea Regatta. This year, the team competed in the Sydney to Gold Coast Race, Gold Coast to Mackay Race and Airlie Beach Race Week Regatta before returning to Sydney for the iconic Blue Water Series, with Geoff Hill recently being awarded the 2023 Australian Ocean Racing Championship for the most miles sailed in 2023.
In addition to branding the yacht and fitting out the crew, Okanui will also conduct a full content shoot, which will see striking visuals captured for use across social and traditional media. The sponsorship is also the beginning of a longer-term relationship between the team and the brand as Geoff Hill and Natasha Parker will serve as long-term Okanui brand ambassadors, appearing in future PR campaigns.
