During the holidays we receive a lot of special orders for custom board bags. We're always happy to do whatever we can to make a unique gift for someone. After all, Chapman at Sea got started because we wanted special surfboard bags for ourselves, so of course we want everyone else to be able to have that too.

This year The Sailor was the most popular style by far, but in all sorts of different colors and shapes. It was nice to bring some deeper tones into the mix, like forest green and deep blue. If you have an idea for your own custom Sailor just get in touch. We love trying new color combos. It has 4 stripes and each one is a chance to do something original.

Late last summer we heard some really exciting news. Akemi Kan and Mina Soma from Anna Magazine were traveling the east coast working on a special issue, The Explorers : Road Trip USA and Chapman at Sea made the list of places they wanted to stop. Of course we were happy to welcome them into our little space, show them around and talk about what we do.

The photos and interview are out now in the latest issue of anna magazine and we're so stoked to see it! Pick up a copy for an inside look at where we work and how each bag is made.

A new surfboard bag design in clean black and white. This bag falls somewhere in between The Lover and El Shorty Señor. It's done in our retro shape to fit just about any short board. Like the Lover it's made entirely of fabric, so there's no need to feel bad about using leather.  Like The Shorty Señor it's monochromatic and has a cozy striped blanket section in between black and natural washed cotton canvas.

The plan was to make a super simple modern bag but then at the last minute Tasha decided to draw anchors all over it. So this bag has a little of the Scribbs in it as well with hand drawn artwork, all over the top. It makes it a bit more interesting and gives The Mate it's name. This bag is one of a kind and will fit any board up to 6'2". 

by Tasha Chapman

I've never been 100% comfortable with using leather in my creations.  I do it because leather is such a durable material. Since I'm making bags that I want to be around for ages, it's the natural choice.  Still, I'm very focused on using it responsibly and making the most out of every bit.  I often think about the animal who provided the material and definitely respect its sacrifice.  This means that even my scraps are never thrown away.  I'm a little obsessive about it. Every bit gets used. Somehow, someway. No waste.

It was this feeling that made me want to create "The Lover."  It's a new surf bag made without any leather at all, only fabrics, and it got it's name because it was designed with the animal lover in mind.  It also earned that name because on the very first bag made (pictured here) an upside down heart appeared on the fabric during the dyeing process.

Meet the Lover...

This bag has several features that are different from the classic surfboard bags. It's made of 100% linen with an ombre fade that was created in house. No two Lovers are the same. 

It was important to me that this bag be just as durable as the leather-nosed variety. So The Lover is fully lined with plush black felt. It's basically the equivalent of wrapping your board in a soft quilt. The felt itself is eco-friendly, being made in part from recycled plastic bottles. Also unlike traditional wool felt, this felt handles water just fine and dries quickly.

Even through you'll never see the interior seams (because the lining hides them) I still used high quality french seams on the linen to give it extra durability. It has a large lower logo patch, a bottom rope drawstring and brass hardware.

It's an exciting day today because we get to announce something new that's been in the works for a long time. Meet Wild Wolf Collective, an online shop based in Western Australia that offers beautiful, mostly handmade gear and accessories for all the sun-seekers out there

When their founder Chella approached us last year to create some exclusive styles for them, we were beyond happy to join in.  The resulting "Mandala" surfboard bags are something we're really proud of - they're a little different from our usual aztec patterned bags.  The prints are more feminine, flowing & free.  Wild Wolf Collective is the exclusive purveyor of these designs, and it's been tough keeping them under wraps while the shop came together.

The new store has a really good feeling about it. It probably has a lot to do with the inspiring person behind it all. In Chella's words...

We are definitely into that!  

Besides stocking all the original Sandbags, WWC also has the entire "Palms Collection" and a special "Sailor" bag with watery blue stripes and a nude leather nose. 

Thanks to Chella & WWC for bringing Chapman at Sea to Australia!

Megan Villa works for Billabong and takes beautiful photos in and around the sea.  She snapped this great shot of the Stubbs board bag with Billabong team rider Lindsay Perry at Pismo Sand Dunes last month.  Love the washed out colors, the silver water & pale green grasses.  Just the kind of scene that inspired the colors of the Stormy Stubbs.  Thanks Megan!

A couple months back we sent some board bags to Billabong so some of their team girls could use them on an epic road trip they were planing.  Today they shared the first photo from the adventure and we're stoked to see our bags there in the shot.

A few years ago we spent about a year living on the road in a vintage airstream ourselves, so this trip has us dreaming of being back there again.

Good looking blue & natural striped Sailor for Karly in Daytona, FL.

"I loved the entire experience and the surfboard bag is awesome!! So original and came out beautifully. Planning on ordering a second! :)" - Karly

A project that's been in the works for months finally goes live today.  We were asked by Free People to design a one of a kind board bag for their summer collection.  It's our basic natural canvas bag, embellished with Tasha's tribal patterns.  Unlike the Scribbs, this artwork in done in vibrant neon pinks and oranges.  Perfect for a summer at the beach and only available on through the FP website.

Adding a few lighter colors to the line up for summer.  There weren't any waves around so we tried to get some shots of them on the beach this weekend.