About Us

South Beach Boardies is an independent, ethical, family-run brand based in South Fremantle — born from a lifelong connection to the ocean and a belief that things can and should be done better.

We create beachwear designed for real life in and around the water, with a focus on considered design, responsible materials, and a deep respect for the people who make it and the places we wear it.

Our Story

Founder Kirsten has spent most of her life in and around the ocean — from growing up on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, to living and travelling across Australia, Europe and South East Asia, often working in sustainable travel and witnessing firsthand the impact of plastic pollution on coastlines around the world.

From an early age, she was struck by the volume of plastic and waste washing up on even the most remote beaches. That experience never really left her.

Over the years, while raising four ocean-loving boys in Western Australia, she continued searching for thoughtfully made, flattering and ethically produced boardshorts and swimwear — and consistently found the same gap in the market.

When it became clear there wasn’t a local option that aligned with both her values and the lifestyle she was living, she made the decision to create it herself.

She left her job, re-mortgaged the family home, and South Beach Boardies was born.

A Family Effort

What started as one idea has grown into a true family business.

Today, Kirsten runs South Beach Boardies alongside her partner Tim, with their four sons — Miles, Coen, Ned and Saul — all playing a role in the business in their own way.

It remains a hands-on, small-batch brand grounded in family life, community, and a shared love of the ocean.

Built in Fremantle, Shared Worldwide

We’re proud to call Fremantle home — a place that reflects the values we care about: community, creativity, independence, and a deep connection to the ocean.

Our story also carries a connection to Singapore. Kirsten’s grandmother was Singaporean, and today we have two stores there — a natural extension of our family and heritage.

While Fremantle remains our home base, South Beach Boardies is now shared with customers around the world, from Australia to Asia and beyond.

Wherever we are, we try to stay anchored to the same values: thoughtful design, responsible production, and respect for the ocean lifestyle that started it all.

What We Believe

There are a few ideas that continue to guide everything we do:

“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something.” — Edward Everett Hale

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” — Dr. Seuss

“We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.” — Anne-Marie Bonneau

These ideas reflect how we approach our work — not as something perfect, but as something worth doing with care, consistency and intention.

Making Things Differently

We started South Beach Boardies because we couldn’t find what we were looking for — swimwear that was fun, functional, flattering, and made with a genuine respect for people and the planet.

That still drives us today.

We focus on using recycled and responsibly sourced materials wherever possible, and we work closely with trusted manufacturing partners who meet internationally recognised ethical standards.

We don’t claim to have all the answers, but we are committed to asking better questions and continuously improving how we design and make our products.

Looking Forward

We started this business to be the change we wanted to see — for our own kids, and for future generations.

We believe small businesses can stand alongside global brands. We believe individual choices matter. And we believe that when enough people make considered decisions, real change follows.

So we’ll keep going — creating, learning, improving — one pair of boardies at a time.

And we’re grateful to share it with you.