It's official: summer swells are right around the corner, ushered in by this weekend's summer solstice, warm waters, and sun-seekers of all sorts.
The solstice marks the day that the sun is at its highest point through the year—a bit like the Superbowl for sea-dwellers. We like to use the start of the summer season for some New Year-style reflections, taking the time to celebrate growth and focus on renewal
When the 2021 summer solstice hits the Northern Hemisphere at precisely 8:32 pm PST, we'll be ringing in all the light showered on our little planet with a moment of reflection (some of us have made a habit of solstice journaling) on the strides we've made this past year and our dreams ahead, of summer waves and otherwise. (A slight aside—but if those dreams include a new summer suit, we think our new summer swim collection is pretty rad.)
Long summer days of surf and swim and sand work wonders for our soul, but wreak havoc on our skin and hair. Since we're definitely not giving up our beach days, we've learned to make a summer ritual out of self care. (Plus, we all know that nothing kills a summer buzz like a sunburn and straw locks.)
Our Oshan Collaboration is packed with summer remedies like the Hoku After-Sun Bliss Balm and the Holokai Restoring Hair Oil. And, it probably goes without saying ... but we never, ever head outdoors without a nice thick lather of reef friendly sunscreen. Manda Naturals is one of our latest favorites, and this Surfrider article is handy to check for reef safe ingredients when we're trying anything new.
The Solstice has been celebrated by civilizations as far back as we know—Ancient Egyptians, California's Chumash Indians, the Aztecs of Mexico—all had their own take on solstice celebrations.
Through our years on shorelines around the world, we've picked up a few solstice traditions of our own (don't worry, they don't include any barns or bears, thanks Midsommar). Fire has long been a symbolic way for people to praise the sun and ward off darkness, and we've found that there's nothing quite like a beach bonfire with the folks we love the most on a solstice weekend.
Spirals, too, feature heavily in historic solstice traditions. Inspired by a few of our local Southern California beach artists like Sharon Belknap, we've been trying our hand at sand mandalas as a meditative way of mirroring the Sun's spiral and strengthening our bond with our surroundings.
Not to bring the rain to this parade, but here's the truth: rolling summer ankle-snapper waves bring the crowds. Which, sometimes, is a delight—and other times, even for the most zen of us, can be a frustration.
We have friends—you know who you are!—who have simply sworn off weekend surfing during the summer, waiting for the crowds to thin and the water to cool before returning to Saturday and Sunday sessions. Personally, we prefer to just pay a little bit of extra attention to the timing of our dips, taking care to head out extra early, or for later sunset sessions, on weekends and warm weather holidays.
One of our most recent—but mostly highly recommended—summer rituals is packing away some fruit preserves for the cooler months. While the sun is high and the fruit is juicy, we've taken to jarring up plums (from our friend Beth's backyard) and peaches (from the farmer's market), plus anything else we can get our hands on (we've had an eye on trying this strawberry vinegar jam recipe).
Practically, a few hours spent preserving is a deliciously easy indoor afternoon that gives our skin a break from the sun. But best of all, it's also a means of packing away a little summer time capsule—popping open a little jar of apricot jam on the gloomiest day in January transports us right back to July, when the sun was high and the waves were cruisey.
To fully gear up for a beachside summer solstice, take a peek at our Seea surf suits and bikinis. And, have any summer rituals of your own, surf-related or otherwise? Clue us in @theseea!
]]>Okay, okay, this is a cool water kit. Shout out to all those surfing at snow-covered beaches and below-freezing temperatures. (We're not worthy.)
Sync up with your crew = successful sessions! Dragging yourself out of bed when it's overcast and howling offshores is hard, but when you've set a plan to paddle out with someone, you're less likely to hit that snooze button.
Seea sisters Hallie + Makala heading up the coast for a cold surf at the queen of the coast, Rincon wearing our Barrel + Surf Check organic cotton tees.
Hot tea, fresh coffee, warm lemon water, or straight hydration is crucial in every session. Studies show dehydration makes it more difficult for your body to stay warm, not to mention flexible for your white water whomping. Bonus points for a steaming hot thermos greeting you for a post-session sip. It will stoke the coals of your core heat post freeze!
Makala staying hydrated, caffeinated, and stoked!
Pre-session meals are a make or break in cold water surf. Imagine for a moment your digestion is a fire. Eating watery foods such as fruit and vegetables will douse the heat. Instead, try utilizing hardwood fuel like good fat, protein, and carbohydrates: avocado toast, sweet potatoes with eggs, or full permission for that croissant from your local bakery! As your body works harder to break down this heavier food, you'll emit more internal heat and stay stoked in cooler temps.
Winter brings colder water, consistent swells, and severe struggles with our wetsuits in the local parking lot. Your go-to 3/2 or 4/3 wetsuit is the key to comfortable and consistent water time this winter. Anyone tried that Japanese neoprene yet?
We don't have a sustainable winter option for you quite yet but keep an eye for our next drop of Yulex for the best sustainable 2mm wetsuits this spring!
Santa Cruz-ing Last Fall With Chelsea Woody In Our Long Jane + Rincon Jacket
One sure-fire way to zap that heat fast is struggling between car doors and gripping a tiny towel around your waist in howling wind. May we present our Seea changing capes! The warm, no-hassle, calm, covered, and cozy costume change. Seriously, these are a game-changer, and once they're gone...they're gone.
Essential for cold water surfing. Even some minor muscle movements during your surf check can make a difference! The basics? Ankle rolls, arm circles, shoulder stretches, and a range of motion in your neck to start.
While we'd love to say we get full sun salutations in pre session (and encourage you to do so) more often than not, we've rolled straight out of bed into our morning surf, and have learned this lesson the hard way. Queuing blood flow before you paddle out helps you stay limber and have fun in cooler temps!
Hallie keeping it moving at the Queen Of The Coast.
Stay moving post stretch! Surfing in cold water in the Pacific often brings big WNW swells. This paddle practice will pay you back in dividends come packed summer sessions, plus increased heart rate = body, generated heat. Challenge yourself to test that second peak, race over the cleanup set, catch a quick one on the inside... Basically, don't sit still in the lineup shivering.
Those wool socks your mum gave you... bring em! She was right, layers are warm. The space between your shirt, sweater, and jacket will collect air and heat it faster.
The post-surf goal : Collect all available heat!
Our favorite Reversible Dead-Stock Jamiero Patch Bucket Hat features coral cord on one side, and a fuzzy terry lining on the other! Perfect for post sun sitting!
We recommend covering your feet with fuzzy socks, getting a beanie or bucket hat on, and wrapping your hands around that warm beverage you left in the car. Other essentials for cold water surf? A good collection of thrift sweaters, down jackets, and comfy Seea pants that live in our cars all winter long for just the occasion.
Conquer the cold, and stay salty friends!
Xo - Seea
]]>The patience required. How you find ways to endure AND entertain. How you act, preserve, and nurture that which remains no matter how difficult the task, or how many times you are defeated.
It is what we do, and it is who we are, but we are many. We surround your life as Caregivers, Surfers, Matriarchs, Business Owners, Teachers, Grandmothers, Nurses and the list goes on…
Because you have long been the keepers of the most precious aspects of our lives, and you have been selflessly doing it long before the world realized how delicate this experience truly was.
So please enjoy this tool kit, resources below, and treat yourself to some support and self-care. For those of you separated from your matriarchs and mothers we are sending you a hug. Many of us are as well, and we’ve never wanted to give one so badly, but we encourage you to pass this along.
This edition of the Ripple Effect is for you.
Design Your Own Suit! - Coloring Page Download Here
This custom - printable shred Seea sister is designed to offer you a creative release and an activity for all ages. Keep your minis busy, create side by side, and share your custom designs with Seea by tagging us on #SeeaMomSurfClub !
Water People | Lauren L Hill + Helena Norberg Hodge
"We evolved in intergenerational communities, closely bonded to the land, to the plants, to the animals around us. Instead of being dependent on distant, anonymous institutions and businesses, we depended on one another in human- scale structures and institutions. Localism taps into the deep need of community and a sense of place." - Helena Norberg Hodge
In this episode of Water People "Our Local Futures"
Catch the whole episode here, or on your preferred source of podcast streaming for some quality conversation.
On Being | Krista Tipett x Sylvia Boorstein What We Nurture
This beautiful conversation hosted by On Being features Sylvia Boorstein the Jewish Buddhist Psychotherapist that speaks from her acquired wisdom on worry, meditation, motherhood.
If you're finding it hard to carve out an hour to listen, you can still treat yourself to this 2 minute "Loving Kindness" guided meditation, offered by Sylvia Below.
Homemade Coconut Hydrating Hair Mask Here
To combat our love of the sea, this hair mask helps deeply condition and repair any damage we inflict. This recipe is easy to throw together, keeps well in the fridge, and takes about 3 minutes to apply!
8 Simple Turmeric Face Mask You Can Make At Home Here
This secret beauty weapon has a wealth of benefits including being rich in antioxidants, gently exfoliating, reducing pigmentation, and fighting inflammatory conditions. Find a wealth of applications to support and care for the largest organ of the body, your skin!
A series curated on contagious energy, content, and actions we cherish behind the scenes at Seea.
We're kicking it off with five must-see films of women on the water to stay inspired this weekend from the comfort of your own home. This collection traverse's cultures, activities, and age. Whether you swim, dive, sail, or surf, we've got your digital dose of vitamin sea on deck!
Maiden follows the story of Tracy Edwards, a 24-year-old line cook, who became the skipper of the first all-female crew to enter the Whitbread Round the World in 1989 race. A collective dream which created a movement that far exceeds beyond the deck of her ship.
Maiden Documentary
By Tiffany Campbell & Andrea Lessler, this is one of our favorite all-female surf films. With its collection of "Daring Stories Of Ladies United By The Sea." With intimate storylines and gorgeous cinematography, this is essential for every surfer's archive.
Dear & Yonder Surf Film
Discover the dying art of the Amasan, or Sea Women of Shirahama, Japan. These women free-dive without breathing equipment, risking their lives, and livelihood for the love of a more balanced life and ocean. Told through the wise eyes of seven AMA, all over the age of sixty, the film celebrates growing old while embracing the beauty, camaraderie, and longevity of female friendship, defined by lives lived mostly "underwater" and the freedom that they find beneath the sea.
Ama-San Documentary
This story follows an accomplished open water swimmer's attempt to become the first woman to swim 30 miles through the cold, sharky waters off of the San Francisco coast.
"If you think you can't do something, or you're afraid of doing something, that's exactly when you should do it." - Kim Chambers
Kim Swims Documentary
Wrapping up our list with the amazing adventure of 14-year-old Laura Dekker, and her two-year voyage in pursuit to be the youngest person to ever sail around the world alone. Battling scrutiny and a global media storm, you'll discover a capable young woman on her search for freedom and adventure.
Maiden Trip Documentary
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