Ryan Hardy is widely regarded by his peers – and by the surfing community as a whole – as the best bodyboarder in the world. The addition of Ryan to the Unite Team heralds a new phase not only for the brand, but also for the sport of bodyboarding and its industry. “To have someone of Ryan’s prestige riding for Unite is a huge leap forward for our brand and for bodyboarding in general,” Joel Taylor, Unite Managing Director, said. “I’m amped to be riding for a company that lives and breathes bodyboarding and reflects the exciting and unique nature of our sport,” claimed Ryan. “The feeling of riding for a brand that associates you directly to the biggest passion in your life is pretty cool. It feels right to be promoting the lifestyle; it gives me a great sense of pride and fulfillment to know that the brand I’m wearing is uniquely bodyboarding.”

The signing of the sports most respected personality to the Unite family cements its roster as one of the premier teams in world bodyboarding. “Unite already had a stacked team list and I’m stoked to have signed alongside good mates Kingy, Novy, Nick O and the boys,” Ryan commented. “Riding with a team of incredible riders – and really good friends – is the ideal catalyst for groundbreaking performance and good times.”

Professional sporting teams are often manufactured to best represent a brands marketing direction; however, Unite prides itself on being a family rather than a group of athletes heaped together just for the benefit of the company. Adding Hardy to the Team only strengthens this bond. “Ryan and I have been mates for close to ten years now, it just feels natural to have him on the roster,” said Joel. “Even though we’re close friends, having a rider of Ryan’s calibre on the Team has been a dream of mine since the beginning.”

“Joel and I first became good friends when he lived in Western Australia throughout the early part of this century,” Ryan said. “Since then, he has created one of the most promising and successful clothing brands that bodyboarding has been fortunate enough to be associated with. To ride for Unite and to represent Joel’s brand is an honour and knowing that he is at the helm gives me great confidence in the future successes of the company,” he continued. “The gear is great – its stylish and diverse – and I know the direction and motivation for the company will always come naturally from Joel’s passionate drive; I’m psyched to push the company well into the future.”

And well into the future it will be. The deal will see Ryan representing Unite for at least the next three years. “Signing a long term agreement shows dedication and commitment from both parties,” stated Joel. “We couldn’t be more stoked to have him on board for the long haul.” Ryan agreed, “I’m really looking forward to a long association with Unite and working together with Joel and all the riders to steer the brand – and the sport – to the next level and beyond.”

Ryan Hardy joins Damian King, Michael Novy, Nick Ormerod, Winston McCall, Tom Smith and Mitch Woodland on the 2009 Unite Bodyboard Team.

View the Official Press Release here.