The co-founder of Quiksilver and surfwear pioneer Alan Green has passed away this week, aged 77.
Reports indicate that Green died at his home in Torquay, Melbourne following a brief battle with cancer.
The surfwear pioneer founded Quiksilver in 1969 alongside his friend John Law. The brand quickly grew to international fame, and became one of the first surf companies to go public and to appear on the New York Stock Exchange in 1986.
Today, the surfwear brand is sold online, and sells through 12 owned stores and outlets across Australia, and is sold through countless stockists including Myer, City Beach, Surfstitch, and The Iconic.
In 2023, the Quiksilver brand, along with sister brands Roxy and Billabong under the business group Boardriders, was snapped by global brand management company Authentic Brands Group in a deal worth $1.3 billion.
Tributes from the surfing world have been pouring in following Green’s passing.
“Earlier this week we sadly lost a pioneer of surfing, Alan 'Greeny' Green,” Surfing Victoria shared on LinkedIn. “Co-founder of Quiksilver, Greeny was an innovator in the surfing world, starting Quiksilver in Torquay creating boardshorts before leading it alongside business partner (and Victorian Surfing Champion) John Law to become the global business it is today.
“Our condolences go out to his wife Barb, children Fletcher, Holly and Roxy, and all his friends and wider family.”
Surf World Gold Coast chairman and Surfing Hall of Fame inductee Rod Brooks also shared a statement, saying that Green helped introduce Rip Curl wetsuits and quickly switched to his own new Quiksilver boardshort business at just 22 years of age.
“Greeny’s early boardshort designs were unique for that time,” Brooks wrote. He introduced a Velcro fly with two press studs, constructed yoke waistbands, and a scalloped leg with binding - features that, in 1970-71, were new and fresh.”
Brooks added that Green’s life was well-lived, and one that will be remembered, “along with the legend of the Quiksilver brand and the thousands of jobs he created both here and around the world over his incredible journey.”
World surfing champion Kelly Slater also shared a tribute to Green. “Love you, Greeny,” Slater wrote. “You were one of a kind and a great friend and mentor for so many. I’ll miss you forever.”