Article: 2024 Founders' Letter
2024 Founders' Letter
Hello, Bonjour, Aloha, Kia Ora, Kaya, WYN family,
As I throw on my glitter 2025 sunglasses and light our New Year's Eve sparklers, I inevitably reflect on the 'year that was' with you, our WYN republic endurance family. People throw around the 'fam' word a lot, and sometimes, it's quite empty. However, 'family' is truly the word that most resonates when I think about our wider WYN community. I know that many of you choose WYN because we make great lycra (thank you), but I also know that you choose WYN because our endurance family is one with meaning, passion, and purpose (thank you extra).
Seven years. WYN turned seven on July 7th this year, and a golden birthday it most certainly was. Seven year itch be damned, we have never felt happier or more fulfilled in our journey with WYN. Internally, we made huge strides as an employer, adding six full-time employees in our California, USA and Queensland, AU offices. We also began to offer competitive benefits packages and we're constantly gut-checking to make sure that we make as much of a difference as possible in the lives of the people who choose to work at WYN.
Product-wise we had some stellar hits and very few misses - something we've been working hard on. As an admittedly 'over SKU'd' (but self-aware) company, one of our biggest 2024 goals was to make more of the things people can't get enough of, and pare way back on those that don't resonate. We doubled down on what we do well, and it showed in the absolutely bonkers launch of our fastest, most-tested aero tri suit - the CdA suit. Even with the 'new [CdA] kid in town', the Hi Velocity X tri suit and the LUCEO plus tri suit both reminded us that they are here to stay, with raving fans across the world. Our factory has had to hire another full-time employee just to manage our tri suit volume production alone.
On the activewear front, because they are my 'babies', I have to mention the Women's Stride Shorts and the Men's Run Short Tights - both of which sold out multiple times in our signature 'club' design. The 'On Call Bra' ,with its front stash pocket and back phone pocket, broke the internet when it finally launched in October - and it's already been restocked twice since launch. I love that you all know a good thing when you see it and trust that you'll fall in love with what we have in store for 2025.
At WYN, we remain committed to supporting causes that promote equal access to sports and increase diversity in the triathlon and endurance space. One of the most meaningful relationships we have built in 2024 is with First Nations Australian tri team - Tri Mob. Tri Mob has made a huge impact in Australia and we're really feeling the push for diversity and inclusion across the board.
In addition, as part of our commitment to 1% for the planet, we continue to make meaningful donations to our long-term partner, Kit Bag For Kids. Kit Bag delivers new and used sports gear to underserved youth across Australia. Luke and I have been personally connected to the organization and their projects for the past 5 years through donations of youth activewear (via MALO) and our time, and now we have evolved to being able to support them with big chunks of cash! Our donation this year helped Kit Bag to hire a General Manager to continue to grow their impact and get more kids access to quality gear. In addition, this organization helps our planet, as much of the gear is up-cycled from sports teams that had excess gear or supplies, making sure they go to intentional use instead of to landfill.
WYNR, our WYN racing age group triathlon team will have over 1,000 members globally in 2025, and although I'm biased, I feel like WYNR was everywhere in 2024. The WYNR Ironman Tri Club was on the podium at all three Ironman World Championship events this year (Nice, Kona, & Taupo) - the only Ironman tri club in the world to do so! To me, this accomplishment showcases our strong community across genders and across the world. WYN racing friendships run deep and I feel like we have earned the reputation of no-drama, serious athletes, who also don't take themselves too seriously and can let loose. Am I right?
Last, but most certainly not least, our professional athlete roster now absolutely blows my mind. This year we welcomed Olympic Silver medalist, Hayden Wilde and Olympian, T100, and 70.3 Champion, Ashleigh Gentle to our roster along with several other notable names. It astounds me that our pro roster is now actually too large to mention everyone, and professional athletes in our CdA suit clocked over a dozen professional race wins. Notably, the CdA suit was worn by Hayden Wilde, posting the fastest bike split at the 70.3 World Championships and by Leon Chevalier with the 2nd fastest bike split EVER in Kona at the Ironman World Championships. These suits, (but mostly the athletes in them) , are the real deal, my friends.
Thank you for coming on the 2024 journey with us and for your support of WYN. As founders, Luke & I continue to keep endurance sports performance at the top of our list of wellness priorities as we forage through our forties and we love living this mission along with you. I raced my first two 100k Ultra Trail runs, including a special win at Ultra Trail Australia and look forward to competing at the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc CCC race in '25. Luke caught the HYROX bug (if you haven't heard of it, now you have!) and we raced as a Mixed Doubles team, earning qualification for the HYROX World Championships in Chicago this coming June. As we continue to push our limits in our own pursuits, we wish you the same in yours and hope to continue to dress you for your next endurance achievement.
Happy Holidays,
Beth & Luke McKenzie and the WYN republic team
