How Murillo Caldas Modernized Mormaii Diving Wetsuits
From demanding customer to product lead: the conversation with Morongo that transformed diving neoprene in Brazil.
Murillo Caldas recalls how constructive feedback to Mormaii's founder led to him heading the brand's diving suit development. The partnership modernized Brazilian wetsuits and supplied major diving hubs such as Fernando de Noronha and Bonito.
In the early 2000s, the Brazilian watersports market was experiencing the aftermath of import market liberalization from the previous decade. With international gear arriving in the country, the gap in technology and finishing became increasingly apparent to those in the water every day. At the time, Murillo Caldas had already accumulated years as a diving instructor and operator, using wetsuits from Mormaii—a brand that focused much of its energy on the rise of surfing.
The meeting with Morongo and the turning point in development
Frustrated by the stagnation of domestic wetsuits compared to what was emerging abroad, Murillo decided to reach out to Mormaii as a customer to suggest improvements. His direct approach caught the attention of Morongo, the brand's founder, who good-humoredly asked if the São Paulo native had come all the way just to criticize the product. Explaining exactly what needed to change, Murillo presented practical solutions for ergonomics, structural reinforcements, ease of donning and doffing, and sealing at the wrists and ankles.
Morongo's response was immediate: he took Murillo straight to the development room and introduced him to the team as the new head of wetsuit creation for the company. What began as technical feedback evolved into a journey of more than two decades at Mormaii.
From the factory to Brazil's premier diving destinations
The redesign boosted the brand's presence in strategic hotspots across Brazil's underwater tourism sector. Leveraging his background in the industry and his operation of Scuba Mergulho, Murillo connected the redesigned suits with major ecotourism and expedition hubs. Soon, the new neoprene models equipped the leading dive operators in renowned destinations like Fernando de Noronha and Bonito in Mato Grosso do Sul, establishing Mormaii's technical standard across the market.