TYR

TYR is the largest privately held performance swimwear manufacturer in North America

Named after the mythical Norse god of warriors and deity among all athletes, the TYR brand embodies the competitive spirit of sports and is a symbol of courage and victory.

Founded in 1985, TYR has passionately dedicated itself to redefining the next generation of performance and recreational swimwear and accessories, while continuing to be the model of leading edge innovation and style.

If you watched the Ford Ironman World Championship coverage on NBC this past November, you probably noticed most of the top pros taking off these dark, wetsuit looking suits as they exited the water. A model worn by quite a few, including Norman Stadler and Natasha Badman in 2004 on their way to victory, was the Aqua Shift Short John Zipperback by TYR.

Unlike a wetsuit, which is restricted by water temperature at both Ironman and USAT sanctioned races, TYR's Aqua Shift suits are not designed to provide buoyancy (which would also be illegal according to official rules). Developed at the center for Research and Education in Special Environments (CRESE) at the University of Buffalo, according to TYR's official literature, it provides a "significant reduction in wave and pressure drag through theoretical and practical application of Tripwires, making it the most hydronamically efficient swimsuit on earth."

On a less serious note-- but one that might come in handy in your next game of Trivia Pursuit®-- TYR designed and customized the famous Red Swimsuits worn by all cast members on the television series "Baywatch™" for its entire broadcast run.

To learn more about the Aqua Shift, or any of TYR's other state-of-the-art produts, visit www.tyr.com/shop.