Justine Dupont, MANERA’s most daring waterwoman and the best woman big wave surfer in the world, will be honored as Waterperson of the Year at the 34th Annual Waterman’s Ball, the surf industry’s most-anticipated annual social event organized by the Surf Industry Members Association (SIMA).
Justine has been surfing big waves for more than 10 years and knows very well that adventure is always around the corner in this sport governed by swells and the ocean. But even in her wildest dreams, she could not have imagined the season she would have this year.
From Cortes Bank to the mythical Eddie Aikau to her beloved Nazaré, Justine has scored some unforgettable and legendary waves this year, always looking to challenge and better herself.
Invariably positive, humble, and down-to-earth, she has been a pillar and a true inspiration on our team.
Waterman’s benefits the SIMA Environmental Fund, a charitable foundation that awards grants to organizations dedicated to ocean conservation. In addition to fundraising, the industry comes together each year to celebrate and honor some of the leading characters and key figures in surfing and ocean environmentalism.
No matter the weather, the time, the place and, most importantly, no matter what life throws at you.
At the beginning of 2022, French surfer Eric Dargent approached MANERA. He needed help on adapting his wetsuit perfectly to his leg prosthesis to keep warm and to ensure as little water entry as possible.
Our R&D team closely worked with him for months, taking measurements multiple times and sending him prototypes to test to make sure everything was perfect. As we listened to his feedback, we learned about the specific adjustments needed for him to fully enjoy his time on the water.
Once the concept and patterns were nailed down, our partner RepareTaCombi.com took care of the final alterations, and Eric was back on the water shortly thereafter.
Working alongside Eric inspired us to start a conversation and to share the entire process with our community. Hence, we have made our designs and patterns available on our website.
We have also listed local repair shops that can help you adapt your own wetsuit. Check the list.
Using our knowledge and decade-long experience in the neoprene industry, it is our hope to help and inspire individuals from all walks of life get to the water.
The Manera team is stoked on our latest signage install up at SunDiego! Manera value’s these opportunities to work with our dealers to enhance the customer experience and tell our story.
Above you have Award Winning Big Wave surfer and Manera athlete, Justine Dupont having fun in her Seafarer 3.2!
Sun Diego takes great pride in its recognition as the “Best Surf Shop” for nine consecutive times by the San Diego Union Tribune Readers Poll. Additionally, the shop has earned prestigious titles such as “Retailer of the Year” and “Women’s Retailer of the Year,” which were nominated and voted on by industry retailers nationwide and the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA).
With a wide array of products from both well-established and emerging brands, Sun Diego caters to individuals dedicated to the sun and coastal living. From the iconic Carlsbad beaches to the vibrant Opening Day in Del Mar, from the lively Belmont Park in Mission Beach to the picturesque shores of La Jolla, and throughout various areas of San Diego County, Sun Diego has become a go-to destination. The shop takes pride in keeping San Diegans well-informed about the latest trends, ensuring that they have everything they need. Whether customers are out in the water, relaxing on the beach, or enjoying time at a local brewery, Sun Diego extends a warm welcome to all visitors.
Stop by their shop down in Belmont Park, Mission beach #supportlocalsurfshops
Our love story with salt water often begins in childhood.
MANERA’s main goal has always been to create products for everyone to enjoy the ocean. So, we are proud to now launch our GROMS wetsuit line, dedicated to the younger generation.
Available in 3.2, 4.3 and 5.3, our Seafarer GROMS wetsuits use the exact same materials and technologies as our adult range, all paired with MANERA’s renowned 3D fit. Warmth, comfort and durability; it’s all there.
We made no compromise so our youngsters can tackle the elements and grow their passion for our favorite sports.
The Manera team is stoked on our latest signage install up at Relic Surf Shop! Manera value’s these opportunities to work with our dealers to enhance the customer experience and tell our story. Below you have local cold water surfer and Manera athlete, Pete Devrise ripping his local spots in his MAGMA 5.4.3!
Relic Surf Shop in Ucluelet, British Columbia, was established by Mike and Nicole Bray, who initially operated a retail shop and guesthouse in the early 2000s. Recognizing the opportunity to provide year-round surf rentals and lessons along with surf accessories, they started offering these services through their Inn. In 2008, the Brays joined forces with their long-time friend Derek Hale, who brought valuable experience in the Surf, Skate, and Snowboard industry. Together, they formed Relic Surf Shop (Ucluelet Surf Shop Inc) and officially opened its doors on the May long weekend of 2009, embarking on an exciting journey.
Relic Surf Shop takes pride in its unique mission, evident from the moment visitors step inside. With two families at the helm, the shop is committed to fostering a family-friendly, enjoyable, and knowledgeable environment. They understand that creating a workplace where their staff thrives is crucial for their success and building customer loyalty. Relic aims to provide exceptional service, establishing long-term relationships with customers who can trust their guidance and support. They offer quality products at competitive prices, always on the lookout for great deals. Additionally, Relic Surf Shop is deeply committed to giving back to the community through volunteer work, donations, organizing events, and raising funds for various community projects. It is their dedication to community involvement that truly makes them the “Community’s Surf Shop.”
The Manera team has teamed up with Bing Surfboards and will be putting on monthly demo days at San Onofre State Beach.
Last weekend was the first one of the 2023 summer season and there was a great turn out.
San Onofre is a coastal community located in southern California, specifically in San Diego County. It is well-known for its iconic state beach, which attracts surfers, beachgoers, and outdoor enthusiasts.
San O’ boasts a rich surfing culture and is often considered one of the birthplaces of modern surfing in California. It has been a popular surf spot since the 1930s and continues to attract surfers from all over the world. The beach features several breaks and reef points that offer different types of waves for various skill levels – the ideal location to put both neoprene and boards to the test!
No worries if you missed this one, keep an eye out for more of these events in the coming months! Come out, have some fun, learn more about Manera wetsuits and test out all the latest BING models!
Bing Surfboards is a family-run business. Can you give us a bit of insight on how it all started?
Bing Surfboards was founded in 1959 by Bing Copeland in the South Bay of Los Angeles. The original storefront was right on the strand in Hermosa Beach. It was quite small, with about 15-20 boards in the showroom and the shaping rooms were in the back just behind the register. Back then we didn’t sell any type of clothing or accessories, just surfboards.
There were a few different stores over the first 20 years, but Bing retired and moved his family to Idaho in the late 70’s. The boards were built only as custom orders by Mike Eaton for the next few decades until our current owner and head shaper, Matt Calvani, took over in 2000. Matt reinvigorated the brand immediately and when his now wife, Margaret joined the business, things really started to take off. A new retail store was re-opened in 2011 and we stayed there until 2019 when we moved just down the street to our current store.
We have always thought of ourselves as a global small business since we have less than 20 employees total, but we do business in over 30 countries. We all wear quite a few hats to get the job done every day!
Bing has become a world-renowned surfboard brand. What are the main driving factors in how the Bing name has become so sought after?
Bing was one of the first surfboard production companies to make the highest quality surfboards available to the public during the surfing boom of the late 50’s and early 60’s. Anyone will tell you that Bing Copeland was a very smart and honest businessman who garnered a ton of respect from his peers and helped the business grow.
Our current head shaper, Matt Calvani, is known to be one of the smartest and most talented shapers of the last 25 years. His ability to pay respect to the Bing brand by carrying on the tradition of high-quality boards built in the USA is only matched by his level of knowledge and ability when it comes to shaping and designing new surfboard models that keep Bing Surfboards relevant on the global stage.
Bing focuses on selling higher quality, niche brands rather than the ‘bigger’ surf brands. When did this approach get started in the shop and how has it differentiated you from others?
People have always associated our brand with quality, and when you enter the showroom, you notice that right away. Beautiful surfboards line the walls and there is little to no brand advertising anywhere in the store. We like to carry brands that fit the aesthetic and quality level we have for our surfboards. Unlike most big-box stores that look more like a Walmart with endless goods piled high to the ceiling, we buy smaller quantities from companies that tell a great story and deliver beautiful products.
We love when new customers come into the shop, and they are blown away by the range of items we have on offer. Many times, that will start a conversation and a person might leave our shop a bit more educated about surf history, culture, art, or board design. That is a very special feeling. We have always built our customer base through genuine interaction, education, and community.
Out of all the iconic Bing Surfboard shapes, which one do you think was the most influential?
In a historical sense, we’d have to say the Nuuhiwa Noserider would be the most iconic, but the amount of history that flows through this company is immense. Many very special people have ridden our boards over the years. Some of our newer models like the Continental designed by Mick Rodgers, the Izzy Rider II designed by Israel Preciado, and the Pocket Knife designed by Mele Saili are all contenders to be in that “iconic” category as well. They are a perfect blend of nostalgic yet modern at the same time.
How do you feel your business fits and reflects the community?
Our business has always been a direct reflection of our community of Leucadia. Matt and Margaret work well over 50 hours a week without fail. Everyone at our factory puts in honest, hard work 7 days a week. Our retail store is known to be somewhere you can come and enjoy the surfing experience no matter what your skill level might be, or if you surf at all. We understand how lucky we are to run a successful brick-and-mortar surf shop, and we’re proud to say we know almost every single person on a first-name basis. No matter how our neighborhood grows and changes, we’ll always just be the local surf shop in the center of town.
“ Once we were shown the history and design process that MANERA has, it was a done deal.”
Since 1989, Waterman’s has raised close to $10 million to support our environmental beneficiaries that are dedicated to cleaning beaches, protecting surf breaks, keeping plastics out of the ocean, and more on behalf of surfers.
Over that time the industry has come together each year to celebrate our oceans with this premiere social fundraising event on the global calendar.
Waterman’s has honored a host of the leading characters in surfing as well as many of the key figures in ocean related environmentalism in what has now become the night where the highest honors in the surf world are given to the most deserving individuals and organizations.
“The surf industry’s highest honors goes to those who have given their best. This year’s honorees have left their mark on the sport and for this, they’ll be remembered forever for their contributions.” Said Paul Naude, SIMA Environmental Fund President. “This very special evening brings our entire industry together to celebrate incredible individuals and support environmental groups working to keep us surfers in the water. Protecting our ocean is the most important action our industry can take, and we’ll do this together.”
From Belharra to Nazaré and Jaws to Mavericks, Justine Dupont is widely considered to be the best all-around female big wave surfer in the world.
Shortly after the big wave passion gripped her, Dupont moved to Portugal to tackle the infamous Nazaré whenever it broke. Two Nazaré Tow Challenge victories later, her talents have now seen the Frenchwoman cross the seas to tackle Mavericks in California and Jaws in Maui, where she successfully navigated the best female tube ride of all time.
In 2023, Justine dropped into what may be the biggest wave ever ridden by a female and does it 105 miles at sea at the Cortes Bank during the filming of an upcoming season of the HBO docuseries “100 Foot Wave.”
