Summer 2025: Permanent Vacation Collection Available Now
Summer 2025: Permanent Vacation Collection Available Now
by Erika Togashi May 18, 2023 3 min read
We sat down with coaching extraordinaire Jessie Carnes, aka Surf Simply Head Coach aka SEPTEMBER Ambassador to hear her thoughts and tips on developing perhaps the most useful and most used maneuver at the typical surf breaks we tend to frequent…the cutback.
Jessie has been product testing our swimsuits since 2020 and is an accomplished high-performance surfer; winning the Women's East Coast Championship in 2008. Jessie helps to give us feedback on the mobility and performance of our swimsuits particularly when under pressure through surf maneuvers. Living on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, we also gather the long-term durability data of the luxury Italian #Econyl material, to ensure resistance from day-to-day and long-term salt and UV exposure.
Hi Jessie, thanks for letting our readers pick your brain today. So if you don’t mind, let's set the scene and give us your take on what a cutback is, and why we might use them so often…
JESSIE: So we use the cutback in both longboarding and shortboarding and the whole purpose of doing a cutback is so you can stay on the wave longer by ‘cutting back’ or redirecting the board back into the pocket and power of the wave. This leads you into surfing the rest of the wave a lot longer with more speed and more opportunity for later maneuvers.
Ok, so now we know why and when let's talk preparation and the setup of the cutback…
JESSIE: To prepare for the cutback first you want to pick a wave that is going to allow you the opportunity to cutback. What I mean by this is don't pick a close-out or fast-breaking wave. Choose a wave that's going to have more of a softer, slower shoulder on the side of the peak.
So we’ve got our wave, what's next?
JESSIE: A tip I like to give is to start high and end high. So start the cutback at the top of the wave, and as you move through the turn, aim to finish at the top of the wave also. You're trying to achieve a 180-degree direction change, and the higher you stay on the wave the more speed you will maintain through the turn.
Is there anything you would have wanted to know when you were developing this maneuver? Any secret tips you wish you knew?
JESSIE: I’d say the biggest common error I see when I'm surf coaching is that surfers don't hold the turn all the way back to the whitewater. A big tip when you're thinking about cutting back is to make sure you're cutting all the way back towards the power source at the whitewater, and not turning before then on the open face. This will help to maintain more speed. You're going to get stuck in the whitewater a couple of times and it might feel a little frustrating but it's going to help in the long run when you finally get projected back down the line with loads of speed.
Thank you Jessie and before we sign off, do you have a favorite SEPTEMBER swimsuit?
My favorite SEPTEMBER swimsuit for shortboarding has to be the Grace top and Elise bottoms. They have an elastic band under the bust and the waist and they never come down or move around, especially in big surf. Plus I like that they’re simple black and not flashy and just let me surf without thinking about them.
Jessie is surfing in the Grace top and Elise bottom in the above serious of her performing a cutback.
SEPTEMBER: Designed by women, for women.
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by Charlotta Linder June 19, 2025 1 min read
A short Q&A with Dana Hamann—surfer, retreat host, and co-creator of DanceLightly Surf & Awareness Retreats. We chat about what inspired her journey, life in Lombok, and her deep connection to the ocean.
by Charlotta Linder May 20, 2025 3 min read
Erika and Nat discuss the SEPTEMBER x Alaia Mentawai collaboration, sharing their creative journey and what inspired the collection.
by Charlotta Linder January 24, 2025 2 min read 1 Comment
Discover why winter waves are always worth it—our top tips for staying warm, making every chilly surf session unforgettable, and enjoying those post-surf moments. 🍵
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This is now my summer staple. Feels very cool with the heat when it’s wet.
I’ve been wearing the Alaia surf suit from September, and it’s quickly become one of my go to surf pieces. The fabric is incredibly soft and comfortable, but what really sets it apart is how secure it feels in the water. Whether I’m paddling out, duck diving, or getting tossed around during a wipeout, this suit stays on. There’s no sliding, and no pulling down in the front when water rushes in during a duck dive. I also love the print it just makes me happy every time I put it on. September and Erika really nailed it with this one. I live in Costa Rica, and it’s perfect for shortboarding and made for real surf conditions.
Suit fits true to size and feels perfect in the Honolulu summer ocean! I hope it lasts forever!
Love the print and the fabric. Perfect for diving !
Great top, fits well and true to size. Super soft material. The print is vibrant and detailed. I surfed in it the other day. It was comfortable the whole time and stayed in place.
Great surf top! Fits true to size and is secure. I am a 34C and the S fits my bust well. I do wish the straps had a bit more elastic for extra support but very pleased with the overall fit, comfort, and functionality!
I have been a die hard Lucky Bottom girl for some time now! They are tried and true: Secure, supportive, and stay put so I don’t have to worry about any slips in the lineup. Fit is more moderate but very flattering; material is soft and buttery and very very comfortable. I have multiples of the bottom and while I can wear a XS or S - I will say I prefer the fit of the XS to ensure extra security, especially when wearing these bottoms in bigger waves of consequence. If you are between sizes, I would recommend sizing down!
This top is so good! Super comfy, supportive, and it actually stays in place when I’m surfing or just laying out. The fabric feels really nice and the fit is super flattering. Love the square neckline and the textured fabric. I’ve been reaching for this one nonstop. You can really tell the quality in the fabric!
I love this super cute suit! Double lined so it stays in place while I’m surfing. Awesome color pattern.
Pattern is so cute, fits perfectly, true to size and super Flattering, and for sure the most comfortable bikini i got. Cant wait to have some more September in my closet🌺
I adore this sun crop top/rash guard. The fabric is super soft (I have never tried anything near this soft), and it fits so nicely! Perfect for longer surf sessions in the tropics/during summer, to stay protected from the sun. I used to surf in bikinis only, but this top has been a total game changer now as I want to protect my skin more. The thumbhole detail helps to protect the upper parts of my hands too, and makes it stay in place. Can’t recommend it enough!! Love it!
Really liking to surf in this. The coverage is perfect for me, feels comfortable at all times, it’s buttery but also resistant. I’ve gotten compliments on the cool green pattern too!
This top is exactly what I needed for the right support and a comfortable yet stylish feel (my biggest fear with bikinis is to see my top fly off mid wipeout!). The fabric is very soft and the color is actually super vibrant, I’m definitely loving it.
I really love the fit of these surf shorts! They are high waisted and I love surfing in shorties like these. The color and material is also nice. The only thing I don't absolutely love is the banded elastic waist, just because sometimes it is not the most flattering if you are in between sizes. Mine are really comfy and fit me well, I am a pretty standard medium and they seem true to size. They stay put in the surf and I got lots of compliments on these :) would recommend.
I surfed in this top and its super cute and stays put! Usually I end up with the same style of sports bra - esque surf top because it's all that really stays on in the surf, but this one is flattering and I didn't have to re-adjust it either. I got lots of compliments on this! Personally I took the padding out, it's nice that you can remove it if you want. I also really love the blue color and the ribbed material feels nice. Very comfy.