Every Australian knows that feeling when winter really settles in. The mornings are darker, the layers come out, and you find yourself daydreaming about sunshine. For us, that daydream became a reality this year. As we headed to Sardinia to swap Australia's winter for a Mediterranean summer and a chance to slow down, recharge and spend time doing what we love most, being in, on and around the water.
Some of our favourite memories came from days on the water. Joining boat tours and exploring the coastline, beach by beach, is one of the best ways to experience Sardinia and to be able to swim in the exceptional water. Cruising through the Maddalena Archipelago, dropping anchor in secluded turquoise bays, snorkelling over rocky reefs, and enjoying lunch on board quickly became our perfect day.
But the one thing that surprised us was the strength of the sun! We knew Australia had powerful UV, but this time in Europe, the sun felt like an Australian sun. The relentlessness of the sun, especially in the middle of the day, which was never more impactfully felt when on a boat in the middle of the ocean with very little cover.
The science explains why. During the European summer, Sardinia regularly records UV Index readings between 9 and 11, with exceptionally clear days occasionally climbing even higher. At those levels, fair skin can begin to show signs of sun damage in as little as 10 to 15 minutes without protection. Add the reflection from white stones and the sea's surface, and your exposure increases again, particularly when you're spending hours swimming or relaxing on a boat.
The funny thing was, we never wanted to leave the water. We'd happily swim, climb back onto the boat to dry off, then jump back in again. Or we'd settle under a beach umbrella with a good book before wading back into the crystal clear water. Before long, we'd realise our shoulders had seen enough sun for one day, and that’s when we would reach for our Suncheeters.
It wasn't about hiding from the sunshine. Quite the opposite. It meant we could stay outside longer, keep exploring, and enjoy everything Sardinia had to offer without constantly checking the time or wondering whether it was time for yet another layer of sunscreen.
Looking back, it's funny how many conversations started on boats, people would comment on our brightly coloured, well-fitting rash tops and ask where they were from. We were thrilled to be able to say they were our designs. One lovely lady said that she was pleased to see protection and fashion together in a functional product. And in a nutshell, that is what we aim to do with our products, offering excellent protection while still enabling women to look stylish and comfortable to build their confidence to enhance and simplify their beach holiday. We didn't set out to create swimwear because we were afraid of the sun. We created it because we love being outdoors. We love spending entire days by the water. We love travel, swimming, boating and those unforgettable holidays where time seems to disappear. We simply wanted to offer swimwear that put comfort and cover-up first, swimwear that helped women enjoy beach experiences for longer, swimwear that protected the skin from prolonged sun exposure.
