In early July, an unsigned letter was e-mailed to many Pinnacle retailers questioning the practices used in the harvesting of merino wool, which is the primary component in Pinnacle's Merino™ lining. This person insinuated that Pinnacle was involved in a process known as mulesing.

Mulesing is used by Australian sheep herders for hygienic purposes, but causes some pain to the sheep. Pinnacle would like to respond to this implication directly and set the record straight on our stance on animal rights in particular and the environment in general.

Pinnacle Aquatics' merino wool is our most expensive commodity. We use only the finest wool in the world, grown in the majestic Couthern Alps of New Zealand. We choose to use only New Zealand merino in our lining, despite that it is as much as 35% more expensive than the Australian and European versions, because it is a finer fiber, making our lining softer, more comfortable, and more effective as a thermal insulator.

The practices of mulesing and clip-mulesing merino sheep have not been widespread in New Zealand for many years, and have not been employed by Pinnacle's wool vendors since long before Pinnacle Aquatics was even in business. Furthermore, these practices, as well as the exportation of live sheep, were banned altogether in New Zealand in 2007 (see PETA web site: http://blog.peta.org/archives/2007/10/new_zealand_ban_1.php). Pinnacle only uses pure New Zealand merino wool in our linings, and we do not allow mulesing or clip mulesing at any of our partners' facilities. The implication that any animal has ever been mistreated in the production of a component of a Pinnacle product is completely false.

Pinnacle has been in contact with representatives from PETA. They are not associated with this person and are supportive of Pinnacle Aquatics and Pinnacle's wool vendors' techniques.

Pinnacle Aquatics takes pride in being an environmentally friendly company. Our Merino™ lining is the only wetsuit lining in today's market that comes from a renewable natural resource (opposed to petroleum-based nylon linings favored by our competition). We manufacture and manage our company from facilities that recycle, avoid energy waste, etc. We are opposed to and do not engage in any activities that would be injurious or painful to humans or animals. As a participant in an industry that is intertwined with the oceans, we consider it our duty to be good stewards of the earth and all of its inhabitants.

At Pinnacle, we make our best effort every day to treat all of our employees, customers, and vendors as we would want to be treated. We believe that we should conduct our professional and personal lives in a way that follows this golden rule. This extends to the New Zealand merino sheep who are the ultimate vendors for the major component in our fantastic lining. Our literature carries the tag line "Merino. It just feels right." We sleep very well at night knowing that our products feel the best not only on our skin, but on our consciences.

Best regards,

George R. Stauffer

President / General Manager

PINNACLE AQUATICS