ABOUT ARENA

ARENA HISTORY

For over 40 years, Arena has provided the world with the gear to ensure every moment in the water is unforgettable and for every second to count.

The Arena brand was created by sports visionary Horst Dassler, son of the Adidas founder and President of Adidas France. During the 1972 Munich Summer Games, Dassler was on the pool deck when Mark Spitz won his historic 7 gold medals. With this inspiration, Dassler started forming plans for a swimwear company dedicated to aquatic sports and created the new performance swimwear brand known today as Arena.

ARENA THROUGH THE YEARS: 1970s - TODAY

In 1973, Arena launched its first competition swimwear line with the introduction of Skinfit®. Skinfit was known in the industry as a “technological pearl.” The new ultra-light fabric only weighed 18 grams and was designed to cling to a swimmer’s body like a “second skin.”

Getting used to being first, in 1980 Arena introduced Flyback®. Flyback was the world’s first competition swimsuit designed with thin straps to create larger shoulder openings and an exposed back in order to give athletes complete upper body range of motion. To this day, many swimmers and divers still prefer the freedom of movement provided by the Flyback style so the popular swimsuit design has been updated and is featured in our current collection.

At the beginning of the 90’s Arena was ready to launch another technological breakthrough: AquaRacer®. AquaRacer was designed to make swimmers glide through the water because of its extra smooth finish and outstanding fit with maximum freedom of movement.

Over the past ten years, Arena has worked closely with a team of scientific professionals to develop and produce some of the world’s most innovative swimsuits: in 2004, Arena launched the revolutionary Powerskin Xtreme, followed by the Powerskin R-evolution in 2008. The most technologically advanced innovation however, came in 2009 by way of the X-Glide, which was listed in Time Magazine’s 50 best inventions of 2009. 

From the time Arena founder Horst Dassler started his venture, Arena has been focused on winning, with one goal: to strengthen and promote aquatic sports. Through a continuous pursuit to team with athletes for inspiration, Arena has consistently provided products that match and exceed expectations. 

ARENA VALUES

Arena is committed to the highest possible level of integrity in every aspect of its activity and the absolute respect of human rights. For this reason, Arena commits to respect of workers’ rights and the promotion of their well-being, as well as full respect of the environment and strong commitment to make any possible action to minimize negative any environmental impact, including waste reduction and responsible use of resources. 

 

"Arena's DNA is forged in water,
generation after generation of swimmers,
designed by champions for champions.
And for everybody who loves water sports.

THIS IS ARENA, THIS IS "WATER INSTINCT".