The Power of Teamwork: How Our Riders and Ambassadors Help Shape our Gear Development

At Rooster, we’re all about creating the best possible gear for people who, like us, can’t get enough of life on the water. While our HQ team includes plenty of sailors, paddleboarders, wingfoilers, windsurfers, and all-around watersports enthusiasts, we know our own experience is just one piece of the puzzle. That’s why we work closely with our network of riders and ambassadors - true experts who test our products in real time, in real conditions. With their feedback, we fine-tune every piece of kit to deliver top quality performance, comfort, and fit.

Here’s how their input helps us take our gear to the next level and make our products even better for everyone on the water.

Testing: Where the Magic Happens

When it comes to watersports, the true test of any product is on the water. Our riders and ambassadors put our kit to the test in real conditions, from intense training sessions in strong winds to calm, glassy waters, giving us feedback we can’t get any other way.

“Very busy week at the RS21 worlds in Sardinia… The jacket, I love it, really nice, comfortable and practical. Struggling to find anything to feedback on with it. The downwards bungees for the hood are maybe 50mm ish too long” – Liam Willis, Rider

This kind of feedback helps us address the smallest details before products reach our customers, ensuring they’re durable, tested, and ready for anything.

Honest Feedback That Drives Real Improvement

One of the biggest benefits of working with our rider and ambassador network is that we get direct, honest feedback that helps us fine-tune every design. Whether it’s small details like seam placements or major aspects like fabric choices, our testers let us know what works, what doesn’t, and what could make each piece even better.

“I was out this morning testing the smock in 15-18kts and torrential rain! Firstly it was great I was very impressed with the salopettes and the smock which kept me very dry! The fit was good and is just a nice product. I think you should keep the pockets and make them waterproof inside as you always need pockets especially for yacht and keel boat.” – Sam Mabey, Rooster Ambassador.

Real-time feedback like this shapes our next round of adjustments, ensuring that each product meets our community’s standards in comfort, protection, and function.

Creating Gear That Fits Every Body and Style

When it comes to fit, watersports gear has to hit the mark - not only in sizing but in allowing for freedom of movement across a variety of sports. Our riders and ambassadors represent a range of body types and disciplines, making them ideal testers for this aspect of design, where we can target different riders based on what we are developing. Their insights help us refine our fits so they feel custom-made, no matter what watersport our customers enjoy.

Rider, Dylan Collingbourne, a sailor and coach, who tested our new trainers noted, “Having recently tried and tested the Rooster trainers in different environments over the course of ~9 months, I am happy to say they are the comfiest water activity trainers I have worn. The cushioning in the heel provides great support for sailing as I often get some pain in heels when doing activity and only when I wear shoes with a decent heel, I do not get this pain. So this was really appreciated.”

 By gathering feedback from people with unique needs and perspectives, we ensure our gear fits comfortably and moves fluidly with the wearer, whatever their size or sport.

Fresh Perspectives Fuelling Innovation

The watersports world is always evolving, and our riders and ambassadors help us keep pace with fresh perspectives and ideas. Their firsthand experience, combined with the latest insights from the industry, often leads us to creative changes and updates we might not have considered on our own.

These contributions help us innovate with purpose, creating gear that responds to real needs rather than theoretical ones. Our community’s input keeps us on the cutting edge of comfort, performance, and style.

Building a Community-Driven Brand

What makes Rooster truly special is our connection with the watersports community. By collaborating closely with our riders and ambassadors, we’re building a brand that reflects their real experiences and perspectives. These testers become an essential part of our team, sharing in our vision and helping us refine it through their dedication and insights.

Emily Robertson, Rooster partner from WOKC summed it up perfectly: “It’s great to work with a brand that actually listens to what we need and takes it seriously.”

This shared passion strengthens our commitment to producing reliable, innovative gear. It also brings us closer to the community, reminding us why we do what we do.

With the expertise and feedback of our riders and ambassadors, we can confidently create products that stand up to the highest standards, by ensuring they’re tested, trusted, and inspired by real watersports enthusiasts.

So here’s to the team behind the scenes and the network on the water. Together, we’re making sure every piece of Rooster’s kit is something you can trust, wherever your passion for the water takes you.