17/04/2026
ATTENTION POLY/COTTON LYCRA LOVERS!!!
We know that there are still plenty of you out there who prefer this soft breathable lycra to the shiny, slippery polyester lycra that most rowing suits are made of these days by rowing kit manufacturers, including us. Polyester fabrics have taken over the sportswear industry because it is the only fabric that can be sublimation printed (which we do in house), allowing for more eye catching designs, fewer seams, faster drying, etc.
The Queensland mill that made poly/cotton lycra fabric for us (TFS in Stapylton) closed their doors at the start of last year. They were the last Australian manufacturer of lycra fabrics, so now we have to use imported lycra fabrics only. There are no supply issues with doing this at this point but it is sad that we can't use Australian fabric in our Tasmanian made rowing kit anymore. There are no other mills that we know of in the world making poly/cotton lycra any more. Despite the fact that they also made polyester lycra and supplex lycra, it was no longer viable for TFS to continue because most Australian sportswear companies now get their manufacturing done in China (such 776BC, Pontoon, Tuck and a couple of others in rowing).
We purchased extra stock of poly/cotton lycra before they closed but we are now running out of some colours. In the past week we have removed the black, navy and dark navy poly/cotton lycra options off our website. Whilst we don't have rolls of these fabrics any more we have tubs of cut lengths/remnants that we can use, and have some made up stock of shorts, tights and rowing suits in our showroom.
There are still other colours available on our website, but if you would like to get the last black, navy or dark navy poly/cotton rowing kit ever, please email us at [email protected] and let us know what you are hoping to order. We will let you know if it is possible to make it, and if it isn't let you know what poly/cotton lycra garments in your size are in our showroom and can be sent to you.
Thanks again to our customers who continue to support the Australian manufacturer of rowing kit.
Love from Tassie
Martine
