FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Shark Stop wetsuits are crafted using high-quality Yamamoto 39 neoprene, renowned for its superior flexibility, durability, and thermal insulation. This premium neoprene ensures optimal comfort and performance in various water conditions. Additionally, our wetsuits incorporate advanced polymer fiber technology, specifically Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE), which significantly enhances the wetsuit’s shark bite-resistant properties. This combination of materials provides the perfect balance of protection, comfort, and sustainability for all ocean enthusiasts.

Like any normal wetsuit, rinse your wetsuit with fresh water after each use, avoid exposing it to direct sunlight for extended periods, and store it in a cool, dry place

It sure is! Our wetsuits are designed for the ocean lovers like you, and all your activities! Shark Stop Bite-Resistant Surf Wetsuits are made and designed to have a long flexibility lifetime, whilst being as comfortable and fit for purpose as possible. Shark Stop fabric has excellent one-directional stretch, and is built using a smart panelling design for maximum flexibility.

Shark Stop technology reduces the risk of fatal injuries due to blood loss from femoral artery damage (caused by deep lacerations to limbs from shark bites). The wetsuit is not designed to reduce crush injuries (you wouldn’t be able to move in it if it was). A Shark Stop user with a broken leg (crush injury) but still alive to tell the tale, is always better than the alternative (blood loss fatality from femoral artery damage).

Whilst a shark’s teeth are much bigger than that of a human, the average bite force per tooth of a 6.5 metre (21 ft) Great White Shark is only 410 newtons. It took an average of 900 newtons to penetrate Shark Stop’s Bite-Resistant wetsuits during Shark Stop fabric testing.

You can learn more about the safety that comes with wearing Shark Stop on our Science page.

You can also see the results of the peer-reviewed study conducted by researchers at the Flinders University of South Australia.

Yes! Our Shark Stop fabric has been field-tested on Great White Sharks in South Australia under supervision of some of the world’s best shark scientists.

You can read the results of this testing on our Science page.

While our wetsuits are designed to reduce the severity of shark bites, they do not prevent shark bites from occurring. We encourage all ocean users to exercise caution and follow safety guidelines to minimize the risk of shark encounters.

Shark Stop wetsuits are only slightly heavier than a regular neoprene wetsuit. This is due to the advanced and unique Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) Fibres it is made of.

You can read more about the Advantages of UHMWPE Fibres on our Wetsuits pages.

There’s a lot to learn about sharks. Like that most shark bites are only exploratory. Most sharks will retreat after this (especially if you defend yourself). It would be very unusual behaviour for a shark to attempt to ‘drag’ you.

Shark Stop has made sure to add access panels made of standard neoprene in low risk areas of your Shark Stop Bite-Resistant wetsuit to ensure it can quickly and easily be removed in case of emergency.

You can view these panels in the features section of our Wetsuits Page.

Shark Stop fabric is the perfect balance of wearability and protection on the market. If we designed our Shark Bite-Resistent Wetsuits to stop the smallest of puncture holes – your wetsuit would be rigid, inflexible, and completely unwearable. Shark Stop products are intended to save ‘life and limb’, rather than small puncture wounds and other non-life-threatening injuries.

This is a common concern among ocean-goers, but scientific research suggests that sharks do not rely heavily on visual cues when identifying their prey. A study titled “Visual Identification of Prey by White Sharks, Carcharodon carcharias,” published in Marine Biology, found that sharks primarily use other senses, such as smell and movement, rather than visual recognition, to detect prey.

In fact, while black and grey wetsuits may resemble the silhouette of a seal to the human eye, sharks’ vision is different from ours and lacks the same level of colour perception and detail. Factors such as contrast, movement, and water conditions play a more significant role in how a shark perceives objects in the water.

At Shark Stop, our wetsuits are designed with safety and practicality in mind, using scientifically tested shark bite-resistant materials to provide protection, no matter the colour.

You can place an order directly through our website. Simply select your desired product, choose your size, and proceed to checkout. 

Yes, we offer free worldwide shipping on all orders - no minimum spend! 

Orders usually ship within 5 business days (excluding pre-order products), with tracking links provided. We estimate you will receive your order within 5-15 business days of it being shipped.

Once your order has been packed and left our warehouse, you will be emailed a tracking number. Please check your junk mail if you have not received your tracking number within 2 business days.

If you have not received your parcel within 25 business days of your order being shipped please notify us at orders@sharkstop.co and we will begin an investigation. 

Postage times can vary depending on public holidays, weekends, location, natural disasters, pandemics, customs investigations & other uncontrollable factors. While these timeframes are out of our control, we will try our best to ensure you receive your parcel as soon as possible.

Our warranty covers manufacturing defects and workmanship issues for 12 months from the date of purchase. This includes problems such as seam failure, material defects, and issues related to the overall construction of the wetsuit. If any defects arise during normal use within this period, we will repair or replace the wetsuit at no additional cost to you.

However, it is important to note that our warranty does not cover damage resulting from improper use or care. Specifically, overstretching the material can cause rips and tears, which are not covered under this warranty. This includes damage caused by:
• Pulling on the wetsuit excessively or using excessive force when putting it on or taking it off
• Using the wetsuit for activities it is not designed for
• Exposure to sharp objects or abrasive surfaces
• Improper maintenance, such as failing to rinse the wetsuit after use or storing it improperly

To ensure the longevity of your Shark Stop wetsuit, we recommend following these care instructions:
• Rinse your wetsuit with fresh water after each use to remove salt, chlorine, and other residues
• Dry the wetsuit in a shaded area, avoiding direct sunlight which can degrade the material over time
• Store the wetsuit flat or on a wide hanger to prevent creasing and stretching
• Avoid contact with sharp objects and abrasive surfaces

If you need to file a warranty claim, please contact us at orders@sharkstop.co with your proof of purchase and a description of the issue. Our team will assess the claim and guide you through the repair or replacement process.

We are proud to offer exchanges. However, we do not offer free returns. Our reasoning: data shows that free returns increases sales; however, it also indicates that more orders are being placed before careful assessment of size guidelines. This increases outgoing and returned shipments - a consequence affecting our environment. The only proven way to decrease the negative impact of this is through mindful shopping.

Prevention is key - make sure you read our sizing chart carefully.Wet suits should be fitted to ensure maximum warmth and comfort in the ocean, however they should not be uncomfortable or restrict movement. Wetting your wet suit will make it easier to get on.

We accept returns of unworn, unwashed and undamaged items within 30 days of purchase for an exchange or store credit. Please note, there is less stretch in our wetsuits due to the nature of the material itself so please keep this in mind when selecting your size.