Curated for the Current: Waterlust
Curated for the Current Continues
More Than a Rash Guard
I first discovered Waterlust in January 2022 while planning a dive trip to Florida.
At the time, I was looking for a sun suit. Not just any sun suit, but something that felt different from everything else on the market. Somewhere in my search, I stumbled across Waterlust's Whale Shark Sun Suit.
One look and I was hooked.
The design was beautiful, but what really caught my attention was that every collection seemed to tell a story. This wasn't simply another apparel company putting marine life on clothing. Each design was tied to a species, ecosystem, or conservation issue and backed by science. I ordered the Whale Shark Sun Suit and never looked back.
Fast forward a few years and Waterlust has become the brand I reach for more than any other. Somewhere along the way I developed a bit of an obsession. At this point, I probably own nearly every design they've released. Whether I'm teaching, traveling, leading dive trips, or spending a day on the water, chances are you'll find me wearing Waterlust.
Truthfully, you'll rarely see me wearing anything else under my wetsuits.
Another reason I've become such a loyal supporter is Waterlust's commitment to inclusivity. Their designs are created for all bodies and all genders, with sizing and styles that help people feel comfortable, confident, and represented. At Seaira Dives, we believe the ocean belongs to everyone. Diving should be welcoming, accessible, and empowering regardless of experience level, background, body type, or identity. Seeing those same values reflected throughout Waterlust has only made me appreciate the company more.
Naturally, when I started thinking about brands I wanted to feature for Curated for the Current, Waterlust was near the top of my list.
I recently sat down with founder Patrick Rynne, CEO of Waterlust, to learn more about the story behind one of my favorite companies.
From Ocean Physics to Ocean Advocacy
One of the biggest surprises from my conversation with Patrick was learning that Waterlust was never supposed to be an apparel company.
Back in 2011, Patrick was pursuing his PhD in ocean physics and becoming immersed in the marine science community. Every day he found himself surrounded by researchers doing fascinating work across countless disciplines. Scientists were uncovering incredible stories about our oceans, yet many of those stories never seemed to reach the broader public.
Traditional science communication often felt dry and inaccessible. Patrick wanted to experiment with new ways of sharing those stories and making science feel more engaging.
Waterlust began as a creative outlet focused on photography, videos, and social media. This was the early era of Instagram and online content creation, when new platforms seemed to appear every week. Patrick started creating content simply because he loved the ocean and wanted more people to care about it.
There was no grand business plan.
There was simply a desire to tell better stories.
Looking back, it's hard to imagine Waterlust any other way, but Patrick had no intention of building a clothing brand. He was focused on finding creative ways to connect people with science, conservation, and the ocean.
The Aha Moment
Several years into the project, Patrick and the team started screen printing shirts in the kitchen for fun.
At the time, media remained the primary focus, but they kept running into the same challenge. People would watch a video once, read an article, and move on. The message often disappeared as quickly as it arrived.
As someone who taught undergraduate students, Patrick understood the importance of repetition when it comes to learning. The more people encounter an idea, the more likely it is to stick.
Then came the realization that would change Waterlust forever.
What if conservation messages could become something people wore?
What if apparel could become a science communication tool?
What if a product could continue teaching long after someone finished reading an article?
Almost overnight, the direction of Waterlust shifted.
Patrick described Waterlust as a science communication company that happens to make clothing.
That single sentence explains almost everything about the brand.
The goal was never to sell rash guards.
The goal was to help people connect with science, conservation, and the ocean in a way that feels personal.
Turning Science Into Something People Want to Wear
Every Waterlust collection begins with a story.
Patrick shared that the team maintains a long list of species, ecosystems, and conservation issues they believe deserve more attention. Before moving forward, each idea must pass two tests. First, it has to be a meaningful story worth telling. Second, it has to become a product people genuinely want to wear.
That balance is critical.
Even the most important conservation issue won't create impact if nobody wants the product. At the same time, a beautiful design without a meaningful purpose doesn't align with the company's mission.
Once a concept moves forward, the design process begins.
Many divers recognize Waterlust immediately because of its distinctive artwork. Much of that visual magic comes from Patrick's sister-in-law, Laura Nottenkamper. Patrick credits Laura's talent for creating designs that feel empowering, flattering, and wearable while still capturing the essence of the conservation story behind them.
The result is apparel that feels purposeful rather than decorative.
A Design for Every Ocean Lover
One of the things I love most about Waterlust is that there truly is something for everyone.
My personal gateway into the brand was whale sharks, but over the years my collection has expanded far beyond that first sun suit. Waterlust has created collections inspired by parrotfish, sea turtles, tiger sharks, spotted eagle rays, kelp forests, coral reefs, Florida springs, peacock mantis shrimp, invasive lionfish, orcas, and many more.
Every collection tells a different story.
Every collection supports a different cause.
Every collection gives people an opportunity to wear something that reflects their connection to the ocean.
Patrick's personal favorite is the Parrotfish collection. He loves the bright colors and never misses an opportunity to remind people that parrotfish play an important role in creating many of the tropical beaches we enjoy around the world.
As someone who spends a lot of time talking about marine life, I fully support building an apparel collection around one of the ocean's most underrated fish.
The product lineup has also grown far beyond rash guards and leggings. Today you'll find sun suits, swimsuits, boardshorts, hooded sun shirts, leggings, shorts, accessories, and plenty of other ways to bring ocean conservation into everyday life.
Most recently, Waterlust introduced dive socks.
Naturally, I immediately wanted a pair.
My gear closet absolutely did not need another Waterlust product.
That fact did not stop me from wanting them.
Conservation Beyond the Design
What many customers don't realize is how much research exists behind every collection.
Each Waterlust design is paired with a research or conservation organization that specializes in the featured topic. The Waterlust team works closely with these experts to create educational resources that help customers better understand the species, ecosystem, or conservation challenge being highlighted.
The goal isn't simply to sell a product.
The goal is to create informed advocates.
That educational component is one of the reasons I've always connected so strongly with the brand. Waterlust encourages people to go beyond admiration and move toward understanding. Every collection becomes an opportunity to learn something new and share that knowledge with others.
The impact extends even further.
Waterlust donates five percent of sales from every collection directly to conservation and research partners. Patrick shared examples ranging from helping bridge funding gaps on research projects to supporting field operations, scholarships, and opportunities for future marine scientists and scientific divers.
That's what business should be about.
Building a Community Around Shared Values
One of the reasons I've remained such a loyal Waterlust customer has very little to do with the actual apparel.
Don't get me wrong, the products are fantastic. They hold up to constant travel, diving, and life in the sun. But the reason I continue supporting Waterlust goes much deeper.
It's the community.
Patrick spoke passionately about the people who have gathered around the brand. Divers, scientists, conservationists, educators, photographers, and ocean lovers from around the world have found common ground through a shared belief that science and conservation matter.
Waterlust is unapologetically supportive of science, evidence-based decision making, and inclusive conservation. Those values resonate deeply with its community.
Patrick shared stories about customers meeting complete strangers while wearing Waterlust and instantly striking up conversations. A rash guard becomes an icebreaker. A friendship begins. A conversation about conservation starts.
I love that.
The ocean has always had a way of bringing people together, and Waterlust has found a way to extend that connection beyond the dive boat.
Looking Ahead
Patrick shared two things that have him particularly excited about the future.
The first is Waterlust's growing relationships with dive shops around the world. Dive shops are the heart of local dive communities. They introduce new divers to the underwater world, create lifelong friendships, and inspire future ocean advocates. Supporting those businesses feels like a natural extension of Waterlust's mission.
The second is a growing lineup of new projects and products. One exciting example debuted in July with the launch of the Nudibranch Nirvana Collection, celebrating some of the ocean's most colorful and fascinating tiny creatures. Having seen that collection come to life, I couldn't help but ask what else was in the works.
Unfortunately, Patrick is sworn to secrecy.
I tried.
No luck.
If the Nudibranch Nirvana Collection is any indication, Waterlust has plenty more brewing behind the scenes. We'll simply have to stay tuned to see what they dream up next.
And With That…
As our conversation came to a close, I asked Patrick what message he hopes people ultimately take away from Waterlust.
His answer was simple.
Everybody can contribute to protecting the ocean.
Environmental challenges can feel overwhelming. It's easy to believe that one person can't make a difference. Patrick doesn't believe that's true.
Neither do I.
Every conservation success story begins with people deciding something is worth protecting. It begins with curiosity. It begins with education. It begins with community.
Waterlust has found a way to bring all three together.
For me, Waterlust is far more than my favorite dive apparel brand. It's a reminder that the things we wear can tell stories. They can spark conversations. They can connect people who care about the same causes.
Most importantly, they can help turn awareness into action.
That's why you'll rarely see me wearing anything else under my wetsuit.
Dive safe, explore passionately, and remember…
