Cindi A. Walters, one of the co-founders of Chapman Walters Intercoastal Corp. (CWIC), a leading manufacturer of snorkel and swim gear, has acquired control of the company from Michael Chapman. Headquartered in Foothill Ranch, Calif., CWIC claims a majority share of snorkeling gear sold in sporting goods stores. Its masks, fins and snorkels are sold under the Body Glove brand; a proprietary line of snorkel, swim, and pool and beach toys carry CWIC's Fluid name.
CWIC has experienced 15-25 percent growth each year since it was established in 1996. So far in 2006, year to date sales in fins, masks, and snorkels are up 42 percent over 2005, which itself was a record year.
Along with the acquisition of the company comes expansion of its Body Glove license to now include Europe, South America and Asia, according to Walters, a certified diver and former president of the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA).
The line is sold at sporting goods chains such as Dick's, Academy, The Sports Authority, and Sport Chalet. CWIC products are also currently distributed worldwide in regions such as Japan, England, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Says Russ Lesser, president of Body Glove International, based in Redondo Beach, Calif., “Of all our licensees, CWIC has by far the largest percentage of market share and is a proven success story.” Other Body Glove licensees include body boards, wetsuits, electronic accessories (neoprene cell phone covers), and water skis.
Chapman Walters Intercoastal Corp. (CWIC) was established in 1996 by Walters and co-founder Michael Chapman to service the country's millions of snorkelers. CWIC established snorkeling gear as its own specialty category of quality gear in a range of designs to accommodate snorkelers of all ages and abilities.
