February 16, 2024
Sunshine Coast lads Jason Coleman and Jason Anfield share more than just a name: they also share a passion for surfing. The lifelong friends have travelled the world together (surfing, naturally) managed the infamous Sunny Coast live music venue, the Beach Chalet before coming together once more to solve another problem they had: finding a sunscreen they wanted to wear that will last the long surf days. The solution? SURFMUD.
Tell us non-surfers about the SURFMUD story…
SURFMUD was born out of a necessity. We often faced the dilemma when out on the water that the waves were pumping but after hours we could feel ourselves cooking under the beaming tropical sun. Do we opt for the long paddle back and call it a day, or do we grab a few more as our sunscreen degrades further? It was always the latter — happy but sunburnt surfers.
The problem was, we needed sun protection that could also withstand long hours in the water under harsh conditions. Our 'why' is simple: we want to provide surfers and outdoor enthusiasts with natural, effective sun protection products that stay on during intense activity without the need for constant reapplication.
Our career paths have always been intertwined with the ocean but our journey creating SURFMUD has been about blending our love for surfing with our entrepreneurial spirit, which culminated in developing a range of products built by surfers, for surfers.
OK, so what’s different about this sunscreen?
What the market was lacking was a zinc product that could stay on in the most demanding tropical and aquatic conditions. Most would either wash off too quickly or contained harsh chemicals that we didn't want on our skin. SURFMUD fills the niche for a natural, durable, and skin-friendly sun protection solution.
What challenges did you face in the development of SURFMUD?
We were surprised by the complexity of achieving the right consistency, durability and efficacy without leaning on synthetic additives — small changes in ingredient quantities really changed the output. The process of creating our first product ( the original SURFMUD Tinted Covering Cream), took years.
The biggest challenge was formulating a product that could stand up to the rigorous demands of water sports enthusiasts without relying on chemical UV absorbers or combinations of synthetic chemical excipients. Achieving a balance between natural ingredients and functionality is the most difficult part.
What is the difference between the tinted and non-tinted versions of SURFMUD?
Surfmud Tinted Covering Cream is designed to blend in with the skin tone, offering a more natural look, and is built for protecting against the harsh conditions faced by surfers during long sessions in the ocean. The rub-in-clear (non-tinted) Surfmud products are our take on 4 hour water resistant, high/very high protection SPF sunscreens.
So… can non-surfers use the product too?
Absolutely! SURFMUD is designed for anyone who spends time outdoors and needs reliable sun protection. Its natural composition makes it suitable for various skin types and activities beyond surfing.
What has been the biggest SURFMUD highlight so far?
The feedback from the community, especially from young surfers and their parents, who appreciate the effectiveness and natural quality of our product.
But a close second is opur new packaging lineup which we introduced in October 2023. This was the culmination of two years of work to source, develop and design truly eco-conscious packaging for our entire range. Our tubes are made from 35% Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) materials, are 100% recyclable, and are fully landfill biodegradable — yes you heard right. Additionally, all of our SPF sunscreen products can be bought in 100g sized aluminium jars blending sustainability with practicality and aesthetic.
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1. Currently in my ears is… I had to pretty much give up Podcasts as they were were stopping me from finding new music and enjoying the old bangers I love. These days it’s just tunes with the occasional Indonesian language podcast.
2. One thing that would surprise people about me is… even though I have size 14 feet and have spent my whole life around the ocean and water, I’m surprisingly a slow swimmer and never did any better than a participation ribbon at school swim carnivals.
3. I take my coffee… in any form, but the le crème de la crème of the coffee world for me, oddly doesn’t contain any cream, it’s a well-made double espresso.
4. My favourite part of the world to surf is… sorry this ones got to stay a secret, wouldn’t be welcome back if I gave it up.
5. My personal mantra is…“everything adds up to something” and “leave it better than you found it’
6. On my bedside table is... bottle of water and a phone charger
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1. Currently in my ears is… I’m loving the Huberman Lab Podcast. Been listening since Episode #1. This is THE go-to place for the latest science on optimising for a healthy life. Expert guests, complex science explained well, and plenty of actionable takeaways that will really change your life. Get into it!
2. One thing that would surprise people about me is…My prowess ordering of an izakaya menu (those that know didn’t know me before the ’00s)
3. I take my coffee…on ice
4. My favourite part of the world to surf is… Nice waves, great weather and a small, but cool crew … the place doesn’t matter.
5. My personal mantra is…“The best wave of your life is still out there”
6. On my bedside table is…Beyerdynamic Custom 1 headphones, reading glasses and a book (right now: Breath – the new science of a lost art).
Shop the SURFMUD collection here and find them on instagram here
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