I began my surfing journey in August of 2025. Someone recommended watching the movie Surf's Up, I ended up watching it and it changed my life in the best way. I was so inspired by the animated surfing penguin and chicken, Cody Maverick and Chicken Joe, that I literally reached out to a surf instructor the same day and did a surf lesson the very next morning.
From then on, I was so lucky to have met so many surfers in my local community that took me under their wing and showed me the ways. Initially, I was incredibly intimidated because not only was surfing extremely overstimulating with so many things to learn about the actual act of surfing, but there was also so much to learn about the ocean, water safety, surfing safety and etiquette. I didn't want to mess up, ruin someone else's wave, accidentally drop in, be shamed or judged, or worst of all… be called a KOOK.
"I felt paralyzed in the water. I wanted to learn and get better, but I felt I couldn't do anything without messing up."
Learning to surf was already like drinking from a firehose, now I felt I couldn't do anything without fear of being shamed for being a beginner or kook.
The moment I embraced being a beginner, being bad at something new, being a kook - I was surfing more relaxed, more confidently without fear of being judged, enjoying wiping out and paddling back out, and I was actually feeling more SAFE in the water!
After talking to other people in the water, I realized so many other surfers felt the same exact way as me! There's a part of surfing culture that can promote and reinforce exclusivity, localism, and toxic behaviors, but I believe the ocean belongs to everyone. I've heard horror stories from people saying that they've been screamed at, physically pushed off waves, and not given a chance to even catch a wave because other surfers aren't taking turns. Surfing has truly been life changing for me and I am so grateful and lucky to have amazing people and community who have welcomed me with open arms, but I think if I was yelled at in the beginning of my surfing journey, I would've for sure cried and then quit. Surfing and the ocean have already given me so much, and I couldn't imagine my life without it now. I'd want other people to experience the same thing!
I approached two of my dear friends from the South Bay, Emma and Greg, and here we are - starting a company, brand, and community that embraces being a kook, being a beginner, trying something new and allowing ourselves to be bad at it. A collective that welcomes everyone, allows space for learning and making mistakes, where we don't take things so seriously, while being safe, open and respectful, and making sure we're all having FUN! Our goals are to make head protection for surfers along with surf and ocean-inspired apparel that embraces being a kook, support local artists and their work, organize inclusive local community events, and support conservation of the ocean and earth by ensuring we're being sustainable, conscious and aware of our environmental impact.
Everyone starts somewhere.
The ocean belongs to everyone.
We're all kooks here!
Stay Kooky,
