About us
Gusting55 ambition is to create amazing products to help people enjoy the outdoors more, challenge the elements and feel amazing.
Have a look at our latest video story or read below!
My name is Stephan Graef and I am the owner and founder of a new start up business - Gusting55. Gusting55 is an Irish outdoor and leisure brand based in Garretstown on the south coast of Ireland. My love for water sports and particularly surfing started in late 1999 when I received a board for Christmas. The big red man dropped off a little green surfboard and I haven’t stopped surfing since!
While I was in school I started my first surfboard repair business and kept that going part time for a few years. Once I finished my secondary level education, I began training to become a commercial pilot. It took me 2 years to complete, which included plenty of flights around Ireland checking the waves at my favourite surf spots. I graduated from flight training in April of 2014. At the age of 20, I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to work as a light aircraft mechanic. I then became an instructor on light aircraft, and built up my flight hours. In 2015, I joined my first airline and still fly commercially now.
Throughout those busy couple of years, it was always on the back of my mind to fulfill my ambition of starting an Irish outdoor brand. The pandemic hit with a shock to the system like brain freeze on a chilly January morning surf! With air travel demand dropping off I found myself with plenty of time to finally concentrate on starting this brand, and so Gusting55 was born!
Thank you for taking the time to read through this. I’m looking forward to all of you joining me on this exciting journey!
