It’s always a pleasure to have locals pop up on your radar when you least expect them, especially when they’re just steps away from you. Vancouver’s always had the skate and snowboard thing down pat, just look at the growth of Westbeach and Skull Skates into legend. But Sitka Surf and skate are taking it that next step.
Spawned from a garage in Victoria, they’ve got two stores and a line of clothing that really doesn’t feel stereotypically “surf” but it’s completely appropriate to those of us on the west coast who want to look good but don’t want to rampage though winter head to toe in GORE-TEX.
Sitka’s Fall & Winter ‘10 Explorer Collection is collaboration between the brother and sister duo, Rene and Janelle Gauthier. The designs are distinctly unique, but for me the hoodies and jackets are the key to the entire package for both the men and the ladies. Sherpa-lined-anything is always key to staying warm in the northwest so these additions to my wardrobe are a blessing.
The ladies’ stuff looks solid, they make their own surf and skate boards and they even make one piece longjohns that could easily turn into the hippest snuggies you’ve ever seen. Screw neon and the Church of GORE-TEX, it’s time to climb a Sitka!