Mamala Surf: Inspired by a Fearless Woman, Made for Fearless Women
Team Rider Summer Romero Photo Jersson Barboza
Born from a Legend, Built for Women
The Story Behind Mamala Surf, a Women-Owned Wetsuit Brand
What's in a Name? The Legend of Mamala
Long before Mamala Surf became a women's wetsuit brand, there was Mamala, a legendary Hawaiian wave rider who could transform between a beautiful woman and a shark.
According to Hawaiian legend, Mamala was a kupua, a supernatural being with the ability to change forms, often described in modern terms as a demigoddess. She was an extraordinary surfer, celebrated for her ability to ride the powerful waves off ancient Honolulu.
Her fearless spirit, mysterious nature and love of the ocean captured our imagination.
Sometimes the best stories are the ones you stumble upon.
When searching for a name for our women's wetsuit company, we came across the legend of Mamala. It was an intriguing story, and surprisingly difficult to find much information about. We loved the name, the connection to surfing and the fact that no one seemed to have used it for a surf brand.
The first person we met who actually knew the legend was Jim Kempton, author of Women on Waves, a book celebrating the history and evolution of women's surfing.
What started as a fascination with a little-known Hawaiian surfing legend became the name of a wetsuit company created exclusively for women.
And somewhere along the way, the story began to feel especially fitting.
Mamala was a woman who rode waves on her own terms. Mamala Surf was created with a similar independent spirit, challenging the idea that women's wetsuits should simply be adaptations of men's designs.
A legendary woman of the waves. A wetsuit company created by women, for women.
Made by Women, for Women
For decades, women surfers have adapted to an industry largely built around men. Wetsuits were often designed with men's bodies in mind, then modified to accommodate women.
But women deserve more than an adaptation.
When Mamala Surf was conceived in 2021, the goal wasn't to create another wetsuit brand. It was to create the kind of high-performance wetsuits women surfers had been missing.
After more than 30 years of surfing, I knew firsthand the frustration of searching for a wetsuit that offered warmth without sacrificing flexibility, comfort or freedom of movement.
One particular frustration was the lack of a high-performance 2/2mm full wetsuit designed specifically for women, something that made perfect sense for those cool summer dawn patrols.
So rather than continuing to search for one, we created it (2/2mm full wetsuit).
Mamala Surf was born from the belief that women deserve performance wetsuits designed specifically for their bodies, their needs and the way they surf.
Performance Without Compromise
Creating a women's wetsuit brand meant starting with women, not simply scaling down men's patterns.
From women-specific fit to premium Yamamoto 40 limestone neoprene, every decision at Mamala Surf has been guided by one question:
How can we make the surfing experience better for women?
That means wetsuits that move with us, keep us warm and allow us to paddle freely. It means listening to women surfers, testing designs in real conditions and refining the details that make a difference in the water.
Our women's performance wetsuits are designed with flexibility where it matters most, warmth without unnecessary bulk and a second-skin fit that allows women to focus on surfing, not their wetsuits.
We believe women shouldn't have to choose between warmth and performance.
The Spirit of Mamala Lives On
Mamala's story isn't just about a woman riding powerful waves. To us, it's about independence, confidence and the freedom to follow your own path.
You don't have to charge the biggest waves to embody that spirit.
Maybe you're paddling out on a cold morning when you'd rather stay in bed. Maybe you're learning to surf at 50, finding your confidence after a long break or pushing yourself into waves you once thought were beyond your ability.
Or maybe you're simply the oldest woman in the lineup, still paddling out because there's nowhere else you'd rather be.
Every woman has her own version of fearless.
And that's what Mamala Surf celebrates.
We didn't set out to create a brand around a fearless woman. We discovered her story, fell in love with her name, and ended up building a company for women who share our love of the waves.
Inspired by a fearless woman. Created by women. Made for every woman who would rather be in the water.
Mamala Would Go.
The Legend Behind the Name
The story of Mamala appears in William D. Westervelt's Legends of Old Honolulu (1915), in the chapter "Mamala the Surf-Rider." The historical account describes Mamala as a remarkable surfer and supernatural figure who could take the form of a woman or a shark.
Discover Mamala Surf
Explore our collection of women's performance wetsuits, designed by women, for women who love the ocean.