The manufacture is an Australian based family company located at Burleigh Heads in Queensland on the east coast of Australia. The Company was established in 1996 by a former surfing champion with 30 years experience in the surf, snow ski and sailboard industries.
Many surfers and outdoor sports enthusiasts suffer eye problems such as pterygium (a type of cataract caused by prolonged exposure to UV rays wind, spray and salt) and wish to protect their eyes from UV rays and obtain sunglasses to withstand their sports, and into which prescription lenses could be fitted.
As a result of this need the manufacturer sought to develop the sunglass / goggle in collaboration with the optical industry and materials manufacturers from around the world to assist surfers in reducing the chance of developing pterygium and ensure maximum protection from UV rays and the elements. Originally hand made from cellulose acetate requiring 16 routing processes and three days of tumble polishing, each pair took twelve days in production. A maximum of 200 pairs could be produced per week. Fourteen years of design and development has culminated in the fourth generation ARFA. The frame is injection moulded using hybrid nylon TR90 in the Currumbin factory, as are five other components. The assembly is also carried out in the same facility, which now has a capacity of 1200 pairs per week.
Many companies in the optical industry have approached the manufacturer over the last 14 years to supply or develop variations of the Arfa. These companies include Arnette, Tommy Hilfiger, Smith Optics, H2O Optics and Bolle, but we have remained true to our vision and continue to research, develop and manufacture in Australia.
Over the last ten years the products have been expanded to include a wide range of unique sunglasses, which contain polarised or non-polarised lenses utilizing 8 different lens material variations. The full range is featured on this web site including prescription swim goggles and Arfa cross sport sunglass / goggle.
Enjoy our products knowing your eyesight has the best protection available.