Why Our Sunshine Coast Surf Brand Is Doing Things Differently
19/03/26 12:00
Why Our Sunshine Coast Surf Brand Is Doing Things Differently
There are hundreds of surf brands out there. Most of them look pretty similar: “sponsored” athletes, social media ads everywhere, cheap print tees that all look the same with cheap standard material shirts and shorts the same that could be from any surf brand you can’t tell the difference. A new set drops every other week designed to get you buying again before your last pair of shorts or shirt has worn out.
Not Sponsored started on the Sunshine Coast because one bloke got fed up with all of that. Here's the story — and why we think it matters more than ever.
Where We Come From
Not Sponsored is a Sunshine Coast brand, born and built in one of the best local surf regions in Australia. Our founder Brad Manuel is based in Bli Bli, and the brand was built around the same values a lot of Sunshine Coasters already live by: time in the water, respect for the environment, and not taking yourself too seriously.
The name says it all. We don't have a team of professional surfers on the payroll wearing our gear for a fee. We don't spend our budget on influencer campaigns or sponsored events. We spend it on making the best quality sustainable surf gear we possibly can — and letting the product do the talking.
The Problem We're Solving
Fast fashion is one of the most polluting industries on the planet. In surfwear specifically, the problem is doubled: the gear is often made from environmentally damaging materials, heavily marketed for “fashion” and then designed to be replaced as fast as possible.
We think that's hypocritical. You can't genuinely love the ocean and keep feeding the industry that's actively destroying it.
Not Sponsored exists to offer a genuine alternative — gear that performs at the highest level, lasts for years instead of seasons, and is made from materials that do as little environmental damage as possible.
What We Actually Make
Our range covers everything you need for a surf lifestyle on the Sunshine Coast and beyond:
Our Materials Philosophy
We use different sustainable materials for different purposes, because the right material for the job matters:
For in-water gear (boardshorts, towels):
Recycled polyester made from post-consumer plastic bottles. At this point in time performance synthetics are the right call here — they dry fast, stretch well, and handle salt and sand. We just make sure ours come from recycled sources rather than virgin made materials. We are constantly trying to be better and always working on natural blends to try and perform as well as(Check out our All Day Everything Bamboo/Tencel/Organic Cotton Blend Rashies) and as soon as we perfect a natural blend than can out perform the recycled material, you’ll know as we’ll tell everyone.
For everyday wear (tees, hoodies, rash shirts):
95% bamboo. Naturally anti-bacterial, temperature-regulating, moisture-wicking, and so soft that our customers regularly describe them as life-changing. We also use Hemp, Merino and Tencel where they suit the garment.
For packaging:
Recycled paper and cardboard and cornstarch packing. No plastic bags, no unnecessary padding or extra tags, no waste.
The Sunshine Coast Connection
You can find us in person at Cotton Tree Markets on Sundays — come and feel the fabrics for yourself, which is genuinely the best way to understand what makes them different. We're also available by appointment at our showroom/mancave in Bli Bli when we're not in the surf.
The Sunshine Coast is our home and our testing ground. Every product we make gets worn in these waters, on these beaches, and in our nature through all our seasons before it makes it to the shop. If it can't handle that, it doesn't make the cut.
Why Independent Matters
When you buy from Not Sponsored, you're buying directly from a small independent family brand. There's no corporate chain, no investor pressure to cut costs on materials, no compromise on quality to hit a margin target.
You're also getting genuinely personal service. Brad answers his own emails. Questions about sizing, gear, or sustainability get real answers from someone who's worn everything in the range.
The big brands have the budgets. We have the product and the conviction. We'll back that trade every time.
Come and Find Us
Cotton Tree Markets, Sundays. Eumundi Markets only some Wednesday’s when we're there. Or online at notsponsored.com.au with free shipping on Australian orders over $120.
If you've been looking for a surf brand that actually aligns with the values most Australians who love the ocean already have — you've found it.
notsponsored.com.au | @notsponsoredsurf | Sunshine Coast 🌊
There are hundreds of surf brands out there. Most of them look pretty similar: “sponsored” athletes, social media ads everywhere, cheap print tees that all look the same with cheap standard material shirts and shorts the same that could be from any surf brand you can’t tell the difference. A new set drops every other week designed to get you buying again before your last pair of shorts or shirt has worn out.
Not Sponsored started on the Sunshine Coast because one bloke got fed up with all of that. Here's the story — and why we think it matters more than ever.
Where We Come From
Not Sponsored is a Sunshine Coast brand, born and built in one of the best local surf regions in Australia. Our founder Brad Manuel is based in Bli Bli, and the brand was built around the same values a lot of Sunshine Coasters already live by: time in the water, respect for the environment, and not taking yourself too seriously.
The name says it all. We don't have a team of professional surfers on the payroll wearing our gear for a fee. We don't spend our budget on influencer campaigns or sponsored events. We spend it on making the best quality sustainable surf gear we possibly can — and letting the product do the talking.
The Problem We're Solving
Fast fashion is one of the most polluting industries on the planet. In surfwear specifically, the problem is doubled: the gear is often made from environmentally damaging materials, heavily marketed for “fashion” and then designed to be replaced as fast as possible.
We think that's hypocritical. You can't genuinely love the ocean and keep feeding the industry that's actively destroying it.
Not Sponsored exists to offer a genuine alternative — gear that performs at the highest level, lasts for years instead of seasons, and is made from materials that do as little environmental damage as possible.
What We Actually Make
Our range covers everything you need for a surf lifestyle on the Sunshine Coast and beyond:
- Boardshorts and walk shorts made from recycled plastic bottles — Around 13 bottles worth of material per pair — with our silicone S.H.I.T. waistband that keeps them in place no matter what the ocean does
- Bamboo, Tencel, Merino and Hemp tees and tanks, long-sleeve shirts and hoodies — so soft you'll wear them every day, with naturally anti-odour benefits so you can
- Sand-Repellent beach towels made from recycled plastic — lightweight, quick-dry, and they actually repel sand
- Surf ponchos and hooded towels for post-surf warmth without the environment hit
- Caps and accessories, also made from recycled and sustainable materials
Our Materials Philosophy
We use different sustainable materials for different purposes, because the right material for the job matters:
For in-water gear (boardshorts, towels):
Recycled polyester made from post-consumer plastic bottles. At this point in time performance synthetics are the right call here — they dry fast, stretch well, and handle salt and sand. We just make sure ours come from recycled sources rather than virgin made materials. We are constantly trying to be better and always working on natural blends to try and perform as well as(Check out our All Day Everything Bamboo/Tencel/Organic Cotton Blend Rashies) and as soon as we perfect a natural blend than can out perform the recycled material, you’ll know as we’ll tell everyone.
For everyday wear (tees, hoodies, rash shirts):
95% bamboo. Naturally anti-bacterial, temperature-regulating, moisture-wicking, and so soft that our customers regularly describe them as life-changing. We also use Hemp, Merino and Tencel where they suit the garment.
For packaging:
Recycled paper and cardboard and cornstarch packing. No plastic bags, no unnecessary padding or extra tags, no waste.
The Sunshine Coast Connection
You can find us in person at Cotton Tree Markets on Sundays — come and feel the fabrics for yourself, which is genuinely the best way to understand what makes them different. We're also available by appointment at our showroom/mancave in Bli Bli when we're not in the surf.
The Sunshine Coast is our home and our testing ground. Every product we make gets worn in these waters, on these beaches, and in our nature through all our seasons before it makes it to the shop. If it can't handle that, it doesn't make the cut.
Why Independent Matters
When you buy from Not Sponsored, you're buying directly from a small independent family brand. There's no corporate chain, no investor pressure to cut costs on materials, no compromise on quality to hit a margin target.
You're also getting genuinely personal service. Brad answers his own emails. Questions about sizing, gear, or sustainability get real answers from someone who's worn everything in the range.
The big brands have the budgets. We have the product and the conviction. We'll back that trade every time.
Come and Find Us
Cotton Tree Markets, Sundays. Eumundi Markets only some Wednesday’s when we're there. Or online at notsponsored.com.au with free shipping on Australian orders over $120.
If you've been looking for a surf brand that actually aligns with the values most Australians who love the ocean already have — you've found it.
notsponsored.com.au | @notsponsoredsurf | Sunshine Coast 🌊
