The long story of the company actually traces back to a farm near Booneville, Missouri. It was there that founders Bob and Bill Meistrell taught themselves to swim, and by the age of twelve, had used their imaginations to rig a makeshift diving bell out of a wooden crate and descend into the depth of the farm pond. This love for the water eventually lured the brothers to Manhattan Beach as teenagers in the 40’s.

Bob & Bill instantly took to the ocean, joining other pioneers of California surfing including the legendary Dale Velzy and Greg Noll to form the Manhattan Beach Surf Club. Cementing their credentials as true watermen, Bob and Bill became L.A. Country Lifeguards, the scuba divers, then vital participants in the first Los Angeles Country Underwater Instructors Course (1UICC) – Joining the first group in the world to become certified scuba instructors.

Together, they borrowed 1800 dollars and bought out Hap Jacobs to become partners with Bev Morgan in 1953 and develop Dive N’ Surf into the southern California’s premiere retail store, dedicated to surfing and diving, while continuing to surf every day, lifeguard, and operate a commercial driving business. The eventually went on to expand the business to offer full lines of surfing and diving equipment, classes and apparel at multiple locations and thereby create a southern California retail institution.

Like modern-day Einstein’s for the ocean, the twins used their creativity and found a new insulating material called Neoprene and invented the first practical wetsuit, opening the cold Californian waters to year round enjoyment for surfers and divers, including early giants of surfing like greg Noll, Mickey Munoz and many more. The suit “fit like a glove” and Body Glove was born. The Meistrell’s hired a marketing consultant, Duke Boyd. Duke asked about the characteristics of the suit and Billy said, “They fit like a glove”. And so Body Glove was born.

Since then, Body Glove has provided product and sponsorships for top surfers. In the early days, pioneers like Greg Noll, Mickey Munoz, Jeff Hakman, David Nuuhiwa and Hobie Alter all wore Body Glove suits. The next group included Gerry Lopez and Larry Barterlman, follwed by riders like the U.S Champ Mike Lambresi, Joey Buran, Shane Dorian, Rob Machado, and Pat O’Connel in the 90’s. The current Body Glove surf team features 2001 World Champ C.J. Hobgood, Bruce Irons, Conan Hayes, Gavin Beschen, and top amateurs and regional pro’s around the globe – A tribute to a legendary heritage that began all the way in Missouri.