NEW SPRING 2024 COLLECTION AVAILABLE NOW
NEW SPRING 2024 COLLECTION AVAILABLE NOW
by Erika Togashi March 18, 2022 4 min read
We got the opportunity to interview Elizabeth from @curvysurfergirl, as part of our joint collaboration for SEPTEMBER's newest swimwear range.
As mentioned in a Forbes article, Elizabeth is 'the movement making waves for plus-size athletes'. We teamed up with Elizabeth, a change-maker in the surfing industry, to design a range of swimwear that includes sizes up to 2XL.
Being an independent woman-owned and small-batch production brand, up until now we did not have the resources to expand our sizing offering. However, we are so excited to be able to break down the barrier to size-inclusive swimwear and offer more sizes.
We are particularly excited about this collaboration as it gives SEPTEMBER the opportunity to explore unknown territory. Being an independent woman-owned and small-batch production brand, up until now we did not have the resources to expand our sizing offering. However, we now get to start breaking down our barrier to size-inclusive swimwear and offer sizes for more beautiful female figures.
We set up an interview with Elizabeth to scratch below the surface and get to know the inspiring woman behind the popular @curvysurfergirl Instagram account.
Tell us a bit about your surfing journey: how you got into it and what you love about surfing?
I took my first surf lesson in October of 2012 on a trip to Hawaii. Ever since I caught my first wave I was totally addicted! I felt so at home in Hawaii, and in 2017 I permanently relocated to Oahu where I began taking lessons with my surf school Ohana Surf Project. I had numerous insecurities, especially around my weight and learning so much later in life than the typical surfer. However, my surf instructor Chelsea constantly inspired and motivated me to continue through the many challenges and victories I experienced. Thanks to her and the surf instructors at OSP I continue to develop into the surfer everyone knows today.
What was your inspiration behind starting the IG account @curvysurfergirl?
I began the process of following the growing body positive movement in 2018 along with other numerous social media influencers online. I somehow thought surfing and athletic spaces were exempt from the body-positive movement because I had never really found or seen influencers in athletic spaces. Surf media has been dominated by incredible athletes with perfect bodies for so long, that my primary focus was on trying to be more like them by losing weight and being a better surfer. However, after the loss of my job in 2020 to the pandemic, I spent more time in the body-positive social media space, and eventually one day after surfing I saw a photo of Kanoa Green with her surfboard. At that moment it dawned on me - why wasn't surfing part of the body-positive movement? Rather than waiting for someone else to come along and invent it, I decided to start building the community I'd always hoped to find myself and that was the beginning of the Curvy Surfer Girl movement almost two years ago this summer!
How did you come to know about SEPTEMBER?
I learned about SEPTEMBER by scrolling through social media and following some of my favorite surfer girls who were wearing and modeling their super cute swimsuits! I loved the designs, elegance, and sustainability of the brand and became an instant follower and fan.
What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day usually involves spending time out in the ocean whether surfing, swimming, diving, or boating. I also enjoy the process of posting and creating content while connecting with the online Curvy Surfer Girl community in the comments section and direct messages. I spend the remainder of the day with my Great Dane rescue, Koa, and catch up with friends over the phone, complete household chores and respond to media requests.
What do you, alongside other women within your community represent in the world of surf today?
We represent the modernization of surfing through inclusion and diversity. Surfing in the last 50+ years has portrayed such a narrow perspective of women selling swimsuits or the thrill of elite athleticism. However, there are thousands of women around the world of all shapes, sizes, ages, and skills who practice surfing with little to no representation. Our community is creating and celebrating the many aspects of surfing that have long been overlooked by traditional media. This new representation is welcoming even more women into the tradition of surfing while celebrating exactly who we are in the present moment.
Why do you believe creating this change in the surfing community is so important?
This change is so important because all women deserve to feel celebrated, welcomed, and excited to participate in the activities they love like surfing. This change is eliminating not only the stigma and shame associated with body image, ageism, and ability but also tangible barriers to entry like size-inclusive swimwear and wetsuits needed to participate in the sport.
What message do you aim to share with women all over the world?
The message is simple, surfing is for everybody! It's time to celebrate the amazing body you are in and experience the joy of riding waves!
Read more about Elizabeth through her website, and other relevant articles like, The Inertia. Give @curvysurfergirl a follow for some inspiring, encouraging and all-inclusive content!
X Erika + SEPTEMBER
Comments will be approved before showing up.
by Erika Togashi March 11, 2024 3 min read
by Erika Togashi March 04, 2024 4 min read 1 Comment
You can add a content block like this to your blog article sidebar, and use it for more details about blog authors, for example.
Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more …
Fits very snug, do not have to worry about falling out.
This is my signature top for surfing and I have bought this style in multiple beautiful colours. The smooth lines and cut fit perfect on my athletic build and smaller chest. This top absolutely stays on in the surf and also looks great with my fave pair of high waisted jean shorts. Paired with the Lucky Bottom, it's perfection!
The lucky bottom is a style I have been wearing since the beginning of SEPTEMBER. Erika truly understands what a true surf bikini needs to look and fit like. This bottom is extremely flattering on all body types and absolutely stays on in the surf. I have recommended this bottom to many surfer friends who also all love the style. They are simply elegant and beautiful.
Absolutely in love with the Hustle Leggings. They are flattering and designed with a luxurious silky fabric that doesn't jeopardize performance. I have used these leggings for intense dry land training as well as in the water surfing for the ultimate sun protection. As with all the SEPTEMBER products the quality of the leggings is top stitch, wash very well and after much abuse look like the day I first put them on. Highly recommend for all athletic activities and water sports.
I don't typically wear one pieces but from the moment I put this one on I was in love. The low scoop in the back is so pretty I often even wear it as a onesie with a pair of jean shorts outside of the water. I've been wearing it in the surf too- if you like cheekier suits this one is for you!
I've been using this suit in all types of waves and it does not budge! The perfect coverage and the back cutout is soooo cute! I get compliments every time I have it on.
This has been my go-to suit for almost four years of surfing, swimming, and beach hangs. I've put it through a lot and it has held up way better than any swimsuit I've ever owned!!
This top is so supportive and yet it feels like butter when you wear it - so soft! Fits true to size.
Holds up in the biggest swell!
Super comfortable, flattering and well made. Beautiful color!
Lola Fig is my absolute favorite suit at the moment. I’ve taken it everywhere with me in the past year - surfing, free diving, jumping into rock pools. No matter what I’m doing it always stays on. This timelessness of the suit means I can still wear in the years to come and the color fig really suits my skin tone both when I’m super tanned or when I’m pale and out of the sun for a while. Also being 5”2 the higher cut makes my legs seem longer and makes me look taller which is a great plus for me ;)
I love my Sumatra surf suit! It is so flattering, and I never, ever need to adjust it in the water. I feel protected from the sun alll the way up to my neck and I can roll the sleeves up or down depending on how I'm feeling. It's just the right cut in the back. I forget I have it on and feel super confident and balanced on my board - the two layers of fabric don't slide around when I'm turning to catch a wave, as I've experienced with some other surf suits. So grateful to have found this - it is my daily companion in the water, so well made and looks great. Thank you, September!!
I luv e in Costa Rica and this suit is perfect for my sunrise surf sessions…and any of my surf sessions. I love it. It stays in place and it’s super comfortable. It fits really well.
I found that I wanted another sports bra option (in addition to the Isa) for my exercise and love the Training Sports Bra! It works for my runs without the extra cell phone pocket so it doesn't feel as "thick" which is nice and it's perfect for spinning, yoga, and weight lifting! It's easy to get on, supports me for all my exercise...including running and I'm so glad to have another September sports bra.
Like the Isa, it is so comfortable on my body and doesn't irritate my skin (I have eczema). The material is so soft and the sports bra is really well made. Can't wait to get another in a different color.
I have always run in shorts but wanted a pair of shorts that I could exercise in and not have my legs rub and these are it!! I want to order more! They stay comfortably on my waist, have 2 side pockets that I put my phone in and didn't notice as well as a gu. Neither felt like they were adding weight or bouncing around. The material is soft and snug which felt great. They didn't sag and I felt so free running with them on. I also found that I was just putting them on to wear around the house and again, they didn't rise up around the leg nor fall down around the waist. They are really well made with a lot of attention to detail.
If you want something not just for running but also wearing around the house or to yoga that feels like your second skin...these are them!! Love them!