Rip Curl’s H-Bomb is the world’s first power heated wetsuit. It’s a wetsuit designed to keep you super-warm by positioning a source of heat on your upper back. This heats your core allowed warm blood to circulate to your extremities.

The heat is generated by two coated fibre elements. The elements conduct electricity that generate heat. The elements are made of fibre ­so there is no metal involved ­ which means there is no electromagnetic field generated and no metal to corrode when it is exposed to water.

The H-Bomb has two temperature settings, Low: 50­55C (120­130F) and High: 60­65C (140­150F). A thin layer of neoprene lies between the elements and your back to spread the heat evenly and protect your skin. It’s an infrared heat with a therapeutic quality usually used to relieve muscle soreness and tension.

The first test pilot was 2005 World Championship Tour number 7 Nathan Hedge, who commented “It’s one out of the box, it feels sooo good! You keep really warm, even on the low setting and it just keeps you feeling warm all over throughout. I didn¹t want to give it back after the R&D session”.

The H-Bomb is powered by two Polymer Lithium Ion 7.2v batteries. These are the same type of batteries found in your mobile phone or iPod. There is no danger of radiation, electric shock or explosion from these batteries ­even though it is called the Bomb! The batteries weigh 0.12kg each and are positioned on your lower back where they are cushioned against your body by a layer of neoprene so you can’t feel them.