Collection: Brand - Ocean Reef

Our Over and Underwater Brand: Ocean Reef

Passion for Innovation

Ocean Reef invents, designs, and produces equipment to help divers fully immerse themselves in discovering underwater wonders. The story of Ocean Reef began in the late 1940s, right after WWII, when the company’s roots intertwined deeply with Genova’s diving industry.

The Gamberini Legacy

Ocean Reef The Gamberini family owned a small tire repair shop in the heart of Genova at that time. Like many success stories, their hard work was fueled by passion. This passion drove Giorgio and Ruggero Gamberini to experiment with rubber, which attracted the attention of a legendary figure: Commander Ferraro—The Professor. Ferraro’s military scuba endeavors during the war earned him the Military Gold Medal, the highest recognition of the Italian Navy.

Collaborating with Pioneers

Ocean Reef While designing his first rubber masks and fins for scuba diving and swimming, Ferraro sought out the Gamberini brothers for their expertise with this new material. Shortly after, the two brothers, along with their third brother, Gianni, received a request from Egidio and Nanni Cressi. The Cressi brothers were also focused on designing their first products to make the underwater world accessible to the masses.

Foundation of Modern Scuba Brands

Ocean Reef These early collaborations led to the founding of modern Cressi-Sub by the Cressi brothers and Technisub by Ferraro. Eventually, these partnerships attracted Ludovico Mares, a young Istrian refugee, who joined forces with the Gamberini brothers to establish Mares. These brands did not just make history in scuba diving; they created the scuba industry itself. Their collaboration with these innovators explains why the Gamberini family has specialized in OEM production for rubber products for so long.