BEHIND THE SCENES OF AERIAL CLOTHING
Posted on May 12 2015
We had the opportunity to chat with Wake Wind and Surf, the source for all your water sport news about why AERIALclothing got started and the vision behind all the designs and decisions made behind closed doors.
WWS: When/how did AERIALclothing start out?
Chris: Growing up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, we had plenty of parking lots to skate and mountains to shred. I have always wanted to be involved in these sports as they seem to bring people together to just have a good session back in that parking lot. The company is about something more than just clothing but a way to get stoked on riding.
AERIALclothing was started in 2014 in Huntington Beach, California based on the love of getting back to our roots and being able to share the love of just getting out and riding for the love of riding and the feeling you get when you’re shredding with your buds. It’s not always about who has the most stickers on their board or how many medals they have around their neck. It’s about doing what you’re stoked on and continuing to push forward.
WWS: What serves as inspiration for AC’s designs?
Chris: The thoughts and inspiration that go behind AERIAL designs embodies the free lifestyle choices of those who find themselves always wanting to enjoy the life and the freedom that comes with riding. The AC logo was inspired by the impact of something so simple. Another big influence comes from being based in Huntington Beach, California and having been influenced by decades of surfing and skating history in Surf City, USA.
I have always been interested in the way art and these sports worked together and ultimately influenced one another through music, graffiti or free expression.
WWS: Can you tell us more about some of the athletes that are a part of TeamAERIAL?
Chris: We are stoked to be able to have three amazing surfers in the TeamAERIAL family. Our surf team includes Helene Filion from Sudbury, Ontario. Helene lives for being on the water. She surfs Manitoulin Island on Lake Huron and is part of the Eastern Surfing Association. She teaches people in her community to surf and opened You Surf, the first local surf shop and school in Sudbury.
Another member of TeamAERIAL is Ariel Amaral who is based in Barrie, Ontario. Ariel not only has the same name as our company, but also the passion for the water and building the community together through surfing. She has competed in countless ESA surfing and SUP contests breaking new grounds. She shares this love for the water and her community by being a SUP instructor and volunteering with the Surfers Healing organization.
Josh Sirota is also a member of TeamAERIAL who hails from Encinitas, California. Josh has been surfing for six years and competes in the Western Surf Association, Scholastic Surf Series and National Scholastic Surfing Association.
For Josh, surfing is more than just competing. Whether the surf is big, small or blown out, he has fun no matter what and is one of the most positive and upbeat people you will ever meet. He has had the opportunity to shape a surfboard with legend Gary Linden and is also involved with SurfAid, one of our non-profit partners.
WWS: Can you elaborate on AERIAL’s environmentally responsible practices?
Chris: AERIAL has committed itself to environmentally responsible practices in our office space as well as our community. We actively support Heal the Bay during their beach clean ups in the Southern California area.
AERIAL also actively supports SurfAid, a non-profit humanitarian organization that aims to improve the health, well-being and self-reliance of people living in isolated regions of the world.
AERIAL has had the opportunity to support other smaller regional and local organizations that build their local community through activities, fund-raising or other youth events to build up their local communities.
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