This season, these are a few of our favorite things:
Joni Sternbach’s stunning photographs in Surf Site Tin Type pay homage to those who ride waves. Sternbach has traveled the world, from Malibu to Byron Bay, to create tintype portraits of contemporary surfers using the nineteenth-century wet-plate collodion process. These striking images of surfers are as beautiful as they are honest.
If you are feeling splurgy, pick up a surfboard like the Gordon’s Egg pictured here, by female shaper Ashley Lloyd Thompson. This Santa Cruz-based surfer, shaper, and musician signs her boards,“made with love.” What more could you want?!
Wetsox sent me a pair of the original black Wetsox. They claim that the products were designed to decrease the difficulty and frustration of getting in and out of your cold water gear by eliminating the friction. I will try anything that will get my booties on and off easily.
Hawaiian artist Heather Brown honed her artistic skills as a student at the University of Hawai’i “focusing primarily on the ‘lost arts’ of intaglio printmaking, silkscreen printing, linocuts, woodcuts, and etchings, which explains where her iconic style was born and bred. Heather Brown has made it her life’s work to capture the true essence of the most beautiful beaches, surf breaks, and locales in Hawaiʻi and around the world.” The piece shown is titled Surf Sisters. Perfection!
Beautycounter’s mission is to get safe products into everyone’s hands. They follow strict safety standards by refusing to use toxic ingredients that may be linked to cancer, reproductive issues, and/or hormone disruption—all while ensuring their products perform. We love so many of the products, especially the All Over Sunscreen. This SPF 30 sunscreen is lightweight, water-resistant, and blends seamlessly into skin without leaving white streaks, protecting you against both UVA and UVB rays.
Please indicate Surf Like a Girl’s wonderful Annie Walton-Teter as your consultant in the billing section of your purchase.
I appreciate that these are slightly ridiculous, but after years of struggling for modesty next to my car, this is one of the gifts I really want this season. Robie Robes are the brainchild of Martyn and Tamsin Tarplee from Cornwall, England, who designed a robe that takes the hassle out of changing—all while keeping you warm, dry, and covered. They are available stateside here.
The beautifully unique Sirensong Wetsuit line offers 2mm – 3mm springsuits in either a full coverage “Booty Shorts” bottom or the cheeky Hawaiian-cut. You can order a signature hand-painted, silk-screened, and/or printed design wetsuit on color-blocked neoprene. Sirensong also offers ready-to-wear designs like the Wanderlust long sleeve springsuit featured here.
My favorite gifts to give or receive are donations to charity organizations. For over 30 years Surfrider Foundation has been protecting our ocean, waves, and beaches.
And finally, if the book that started it all isn’t currently on your shelf, grab a copy of Surf Like a Girl for the surfer girl in your life. Especially if that surfer is you!
Surf Like a Girl 