On the remarkably quick listing of issues that Santa Barbara lacks, say, cross-country snowboarding and department shops, surfwear clothes would seemingly fall close to the underside of that listing, someplace between nice breakfast burritos and seagulls. The place different cities face rodent infestations, Santa Barbara’s native taste is the seashore rat, a prolific species clad in hoodies, board shorts, and flip flops, all of which could be seen from the sands of Leadbetter to the pavement of State Avenue. Nevertheless, UCSB graduate Blake Canas noticed issues otherwise. When Canas checked out his fellow surfers, he noticed a group of surfwear stagnation. Enter SB Surf Co.
The 25-year-old Canas based SB Surf Co. in 2020, initially as a surf images firm. An Orange County native with an extra of Southern California surf manufacturers, Canas got here to UCSB and rapidly discovered a spot within the browsing group, but he seen a definite lack of selection within the vogue surrounding him. “Over right here, you solely see Yater Surfboards,” stated Canas, referring to the ever-present Santa Barbara Surf N’ Put on merchandise, which could be discovered plastered on backs throughout the town. “You see that diamond form nearly in every single place. And that’s the place the concept got here in.”
For Canas, surfwear is about way more about one thing snug to hold you from the sand to the ocean. Surfwear acts as a mirrored image of Santa Barbara itself, capturing the essence of its very being. “Let’s create a surf model that actually represents the world and exhibits that on our shirts and attire,” stated Canas. “One thing you possibly can put on in your again to really feel a way of delight.” SB Surf Co. was born from the need to crystallize the town itself, a bit of pink tile roofs, State Avenue, and chilly ocean waves to actually put on on one’s shoulder, whether or not you’re simply passing by means of otherwise you’re a born-and-bred Santa Barbaran.
This ethos is manifested on SB Surf Co.’s attire, which consists of easy, glossy, and trendy tees and sweatshirts, making understated additions to any wardrobe. Nevertheless, one cream-and-gold sweatshirt stood out, proudly boasting: “Hold it native,” a philosophy which Canas holds central to his model. “I discover myself making stronger relationships in Santa Barbara than I ever have,” he instructed me. “It’s this tight knit group, and you’ll simply really feel it day by day.” Because of this, Canas hopes to create garments in dialog with native arts, music, and tradition. “Proper now, we’re specializing in a band known as Sideways,” he stated, describing the SB Surf Co. model as an interconnected circle of Santa Barbara tradition, the place native bands can discover a platform which lifts them up. “There’s plenty of expertise in Santa Barbara. And I believe it’s essential to carry these artists to the forefront.”
Native engagement additionally led SB Surf Co. to guard its largest and bluest group area: the ocean. Sustainability is not only about conserving pure sources; for Canas, it’s about defending his playground. “The closest I really feel to nature is on a surfboard,” he stated, describing a reverence for the ocean, and a want to preserve its sources within the closet. The SB Surf Co. web site boasts a dedication to maximizing recyclable and eco-friendly supplies, from the attire itself to the packaging and delivery selections. In a world with an extra of fast and low cost clothes choices, Canas and his workforce have opted to be extra aware and conscientious of the way in which vogue impacts the ocean. “It’s one thing that you just wish to defend as a surfer,” he stated.
SB Surf Co. remains to be a younger model, with a restricted collection of merchandise and partnerships. On the similar time, Blake Canas has higher ambitions for the corporate. “My all-time dream is to open up a bodily location,” he stated, imagining a correct surf store by means of which SB Surf Co. would possibly fulfill its purpose of centralizing surf tradition in Santa Barbara. Till then, maintain your eyes educated on the sandy shores for a brand new search for the native seashore rats.
Extra info is out there at sbsurfco.com.