Since 1982 – A Passion for Rowing

New Wave Sportswear is more than just a manufacturer of rowing apparel. We are a family-owned business with over four decades of experience and a clear mission: to develop functional, durable, and high-quality apparel that meets the unique demands of rowing.

New Wave Sportswear was founded in 1982 by Horst Borchert in Berlin. At that time, functional sportswear was still in its infancy. Many rowers trained primarily in cotton clothing, which absorbed moisture, became heavy, and could only partially meet the demands of the sport.

Horst Borchert recognized early on that rowing required special materials and cuts. His vision was to develop clothing that adapts to movements in the boat and provides athletes with optimal support in any weather. New Wave Sportswear was born from this idea.

The First Steps

The beginning was shaped by passion, creativity, and a great deal of personal dedication.

The very first rowing suits were not produced in a large manufacturing facility, but on Horst Borchert's mother's sewing machine. With exceptional craftsmanship, the first garments were created, already reflecting the values that continue to define New Wave Sportswear today: uncompromising quality, functionality, and attention to detail.

What started as a small family venture gradually evolved into a specialist manufacturer dedicated exclusively to rowing apparel.

From a Berlin Family Business to a Partner of Elite Rowing

By the late 1980s, the quality of our products had become well known throughout the rowing community. In 1989, the German National Rowing Team began wearing New Wave Sportswear, marking an important milestone in our company's history. It confirmed that our commitment to specialization and uncompromising quality was the right path.

Just a few years later, another significant partnership followed. Since 1991, we have worked closely with World Rowing, the international governing body for the sport. In addition to developing and producing selected apparel, we continue to design and manufacture the official merchandise collections for the European and World Rowing Championships, which we present directly to athletes and visitors at our event stands during the competitions.

The demands of international elite rowing are exceptionally high. Fabrics, fit, and workmanship must perform reliably under the toughest conditions. The experience gained through these partnerships continuously drives the development of our entire collection, benefiting every one of our customers.

Specialists in Rowing Apparel

While many sportswear brands offer products for a wide range of sports, we have deliberately focused on one discipline: rowing.

This specialization allows us to develop apparel that is precisely tailored to the unique movements, physical demands, and weather conditions experienced on the water.

All of our fabrics are sourced exclusively from Germany, Italy, and Spain. Each material is carefully selected to meet the highest standards of breathability, elasticity, wind protection, durability, and comfort.

Custom Teamwear Built for the Future

Today, hundreds of rowing clubs around the world rely on our expertise.

Working closely with each club, we create custom collections ranging from racing suits and training apparel to jackets, gilets, and a complete range of teamwear. Every design reflects the unique identity of the club and is created to remain consistent for years to come.

All club designs are permanently archived, making it easy to reorder identical garments even many years later. New members receive exactly the same apparel as existing team members, ensuring a consistent and professional appearance over the long term.

Another advantage of working with New Wave Sportswear is that we do not require minimum order quantities. Whether you need a single replacement garment, a repeat order, or a complete club outfit, every order is produced with the same care, precision, and attention to quality.

In-House Development and Design

Our products are never off-the-shelf solutions.

Every pattern and design is developed in-house and continuously refined by our team. Close collaboration with rowers, rowing clubs, and national teams allows us to incorporate valuable real-world experience directly into the product development process.

The result is apparel that combines performance, comfort, and durability in the best possible way.

Sustainability as Part of Our Responsibility

For us, quality also means responsibility.

That is why the majority of our club collections and standard products are manufactured only after an order has been placed. This made-to-order approach reduces overproduction, avoids unnecessary stock, and helps conserve valuable resources.

Depending on the season and order volume, our typical production time is between two and four weeks. In this way, we combine sustainable manufacturing with reliable and predictable delivery times.

The Team Behind New Wave Sportswear

Today, our team consists of around 15 to 20 dedicated employees. Together, we work every day to develop premium rowing apparel, deliver tailored solutions for our customers, and provide reliable support to rowing clubs, federations, and national teams.

Short communication channels, personal customer service, and close collaboration with our clients have always been at the heart of our company philosophy.

Our Values

For more than 40 years, we have stood for:

  • Specialisation in rowing
  • Product development and manufacturing in Berlin
  • Premium fabrics sourced from Germany, Italy, and Spain
  • Custom club collections with no minimum order quantities
  • Long-term reproducible designs
  • Partnerships with national rowing teams and World Rowing
  • Sustainable, made-to-order production
  • Personal consultation and efficient decision-making
  • In-house pattern and design development
  • More than 40 years of experience in the sport of rowing

Looking Ahead with Passion

What began in 1982 with a single sewing machine has grown into one of Europe's most experienced rowing apparel manufacturers.

Despite our growth, we have remained true to our core values: quality over quantity, personal service instead of anonymous mass production, and products designed to support the sport of rowing for years to come.

We are proud of our history and look forward to shaping the future of rowing together with clubs, national teams, and rowing enthusiasts around the world.