For decades, the surfboard had stolen the spotlight in surf culture. From flashy catwalk appearances to starring roles in movies, surfboards were the undisputed symbols ofSurfboardshave graced catwalks, given as Kids’ Choice awards, starred in Keanu Reeves’ films, hung in surfing museums. Beyonce has sung about them, Mark Zuckerberg has talked with his former BFF Kai Lenny about them, Ivanka Trump bashed her young son in the head with them. They were constantly hyped up and seen as iconic representations of surfing cool. Meanwhile, the lowly wetsuit was pushed to the sidelines, merely serving a functional purpose to keep surfers warm in the water.

As an avid surfer myself, I had always felt the wetsuit was unfairly neglected. While surfboards allowed us to ride waves, it was the wetsuit that truly enabled the sport by protecting us from the icy ocean temperatures. Without wetsuits, surfing would only be possible during the summer months. They were the unsung heroes that kept us in the water year-round.

All that changed when Sydney Sweeney, rising Hollywood starlet and noted fashion influencer, paid homage to the wetsuit on Instagram last year. In a sultry boat selfie, she modelled a form-fitting black neoprene number with white piping - a casual nod to her water activity that unexpectedly ignited a thirst trap phenomenon. Style magazines marvelled at how the prosaic wetsuit had suddenly taken on sex appeal.

The impact was seismic. Market analysts have since reported wetsuit sales skyrocketing over 700% as more brands tapped into the newly discovered "sexy wetsuit" trend. Major retailers have expanded their wetsuit sections to cater to new lifestyle customers, not just core surfers. Indie designers are putting unique spins on classic styles with fluorescent colors and flattering cuts. Wetsuits are now a bonafide fashion item as well as a functional sport essential.

As an avid surfer who has long championed the wetsuit, I couldn't be more thrilled by this reversal in fortune. It's rewarding to see the low-key garment get its much deserved moment in the sun. Most importantly, increased interest will surely translate to product innovation - wetsuits of the future may feature groundbreaking new materials to become even more comfortable, flexible and insulating. This bodes well for keeping hardcore surfers like myself out on the waves, as well as welcoming more newbies to enjoy the sport.

Sydney Sweeney's simple social media post has transformed a familiar utility into a style statement. In the process, she has injected new excitement around surfing gear and culture. For that, the surfing community owes her a deep debt of gratitude. The once overlooked wetsuit truly got its shining moment - and I, for one, couldn't be prouder to wear one.