About Us
Our Story
Founded by Liz Tremain, a mother, wife, lawyer, and experienced triathlete, Rebel With a Kickstand seeks to break the mold in comfort, durability, function, culture, and aesthetics. Where most triathlon-wear brands offer little variation from menswear’s cuts and dimensions, Rebel With a Kickstand is made by women, for women- it is as sensitive to the needs of women at various stages of their lives as it is to a woman’s needs at various stages of a triathlon. Tremain, who has participated and excelled in numerous Ironman triathlons, and marathons, knows from over 25 years of hard-earned personal experience exactly where and how these needs intersect.
After her daughter headed off to college, Liz, mother of three, picked up her swim cap, jumped into the pool at her local YMCA, and started swimming. As the yardage began piling up, the class' swim instructor, herself a triathlete, took notice.
Beginnings
“She saw a little bit of ability and a lot of competitive spirit,” says Liz with a “sorry, not sorry” chuckle. With a little encouragement from the instructor, Liz signed up and prepared for her first local sprint triathlon, a 500-yard swim, 15 mile bike ride, and 3.1-mile run. At 49 years old, she came in as the second woman overall. By 2015, Liz competed in her first Ironman competition a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile run where she was 4th in her age group. While walking through Ironman Village with her daughter, the song “Feel It Still” by Portugal the Man, a massive radio hit, came on. Liz’s daughter, enjoyed her mother's mistaking the lyrics as, "Ooooh oh, I’m a rebel with a kickstand.”
A Rebellious Spirit
Since then, Liz has competed in 5 full Ironman races and ten half Ironmans. Her brand’s name, Rebel With a Kickstand, is a playful reminder not to take yourself so seriously and that achievement comes from great intention, effort and experience. Looking forward from the tumultuous Covid world, Rebel With a Kickstand hopes to inspire women everywhere to get up, get dressed, lift their energy levels along with their spirits, challenge one another, and engage in a growing community and lifestyle that values both individuality and a greater sense of solidarity. Every step, every mile, is a chance to learn something new.
“I’M GONNA TRY.”
“When you don’t feel like going for that run or jumping into that pool, you open up that drawer or your closet and see something that makes you happy because it’s associated with feelings of joy and possibility. Race day is maybe 4 times a year. You've got to love the other 360 some odd days as well.”
I STARTED DOODLING.”
Where most athletic wear trades in solids and simple contour patterns, Rebel With a Kickstand will offer several graphic options straight from the founder’s contemporary artistic hand. “I’m a clothes-hound,” admits Liz. “I love color, but most triathlon wear isn't... inspiring. Rebel is beautiful, and special and should put a smile on your face every time you put it on".
