September | 2013 | Ola Nina - We love the ocean

Southern Californian woman, Lola Jade is making a difference to the surf industry one board shape at a time.
Lola is the founder of Chick Sticks, a board company which shapes and designs surfboards for women.
From long boards to short, quivers to fishes, Chick Sticks are more than just catchy names and pretty designs.
They offer girl friendly modifications such as the right amount of width and foam to help with paddling, catching waves and duck diving.
Lola has a passion for the water as she does surfboards and stumbled on the concept after realising a strong male dominance in the board industry.

“ I started buying used ‘guys’ boards and then spray painting them and stickering them up and they looked really cool but they were too hard to surf on,” she said.
“So then I started having custom boards made for me and asking the shapers to experiment with the shape and dimensions.
“I began having an easier time and my friends loved my boards and wanted the same thing I had.
“Girls on the beach that I had never met before wanted to buy my boards that I had made for me and I started selling them.
“Chick Sticks came about out of necessity. I just thought I’m going to take this in to my own hands and make something that’s beautiful and works better for girls.
“Now I offer 20 different shapes and my paint designs are everything from super girly and flowery to very tomboy.”
As Lola hasn’t mastered the art of shaping boards yet, she has employed some of the best guys in the industry who do the hard work for her.
“I just started shaping so this winter when things slow down I can’t wait to get back in the shaping bay,” she said.
“I employ the top shapers locally to shape for me.
“They’ve shaped or still shape for Channel Islands, …Lost, Super, Rusty and other stand out brands so I’m very fortunate.”

Despite being an American brand, Lola says Chick Sticks has begun shipping worldwide.
“I’ve been getting orders from France, Japan, Europe, Australia, South America and Canada,” she said.
“I have a great relationship with an International shipping company so I am all set up.
“I just got my first bona fide dealer in Australia so I hope to really grow there like I have here in the States.”

Lola has been surfing for the past five years and says her other hobbies include skateboarding, running, yoga, jet skiing and just being active.
Some of her favourite places to surf include Trestles and breaks throughout Southern California.
For more information visit: www.chicksticksbylola.com
www.facebook.com/ChickSticks
Chick Sticks Australia on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChickSticksAustralia

Ocean-loving beauty, Elaine Abonal is living proof that great things can happen if you set your mind to it.
The inspiring yet humble 29-year-old was born and bred in the Philippines and has been surfing for about 10 years. Elaine was first introduced to the sport when she was 18 and studying in the US.
“I pretty much just got obsessed with it and wanted to do it as often as I could,” she said.
“I love everything about the ocean. I love that I feel at home when I’m in it.
“I love that it teaches me things like courage, perseverance, appreciation of the simple things, beauty and how everything in life is connected.”
Elaine has been lucky enough to turn her love of it into one the best jobs around.
With the support from two pioneer surfers from the Philippines, Elaine launched her own surf company early last year.

From years of surfing and staying at the San Juan Surf Resort in La Union, Philippines, Elaine got to know the owner Brian Landrigan and professional surfer Luke Landrigan.
When Elaine told Brian and Luke about her dream to own and operate a surf tour company in the Philippines, they gave their full support and encouraged her to turn it into a reality.
“They’ve seen me spread the word about surfing and bring my friends and friends of friends on surf trips,” Elaine said.
“On one international trip with them, they told me that I could always do surfing for fun but that it’s also something I can do as my own business.
“ They know that I have the resources, support, and talent so I thought about it and realised that they were right.
“They helped me and I told my friends and family about it.
“I feel very lucky and blessed to of had their encouragement.”

Elaine now operates Surfista Travels Philippines – a surf tour company that helps surfers and travellers from around the world, men and women, arrange trips such as accommodation, transport, surf lessons and more.
For most people heading to the country to surf, Manila is the starting point to get to surfing destinations like La Union and Baler.
Elaine said despite Manila being a big city with no beach close by, a lot of Filipino’s have taken up surfing.
“Manila’s not next to a beach with waves so it’s definitely the concrete jungle,” she said.
“But ALOT of people from Manila, especially the younger crowd, are getting into surfing because many have the resources and money to travel to the surf areas.

“We’re still a long way compared to other countries when it comes to surf culture, but it’s getting more popular every year.
“Many of my Surfista trips are mostly made up of girls, which is pretty cool to see.
“Surfing here used to be an underground culture but now it’s the “cool” thing to do. I’d say it’s much mellow and friendlier in the water compared to other countries.

“It’s so much better to surf here – the locals are friendly, the water is warm, the location is beautiful and it’s fun.”
Elaine says she doesn’t want to label herself as anything she just hopes to promote the Philippines as a beautiful destination to the rest of the world and inspire other like-minded women.
“I don’t really want to name myself as anything, but I do want to be an ambassador for surfing in the Philippines and show the rest of the world that we live in a beautiful country with beautiful people,” she said.