By Sue DeWerff
“I am hopeful we can raise substantial funds needed to help support these women and introduce them to a better way of life. It is all about helping each other, empowering one another to live happy, healthy lifestyles,” says Crystal Cooper.
Satellite Beach’s Crystal Cooper’s love for surfing, fascination with clothing design, and late night conversations with her dad were just a few of the catalysts that gave birth to her company, Salty Sweet Enterprises.
The surf lifestyle brand, exclusively for females, is one she created because of her love of the ocean and desire to promote and empower women who share this passion.
The logo, a heart with a wave inside, alongside the name Salty Sweet illustrates what Cooper describes as the harmony between athleticism, independence and strength, combined with sweetness, beauty and sensuality.
“Growing up surfing and competing in contests since I was 15, I always wanted to have my own brand, as well as sponsor my own team,” said Crystal.
Just more than two years ago, after attending surf expos and spending late nights researching ways to market her clothing line, Cooper, a single mom who lost her own parents when she was 27, set up her screen printing business in the garage of her Satellite Beach home.
From t-shirts, hats, beach bags, to rash guards, the Salty Sweet collection offers a variety of styles and colors designed to appeal to both surfers as well as what she describes as any water woman or ocean frolicker.
The full line of apparel is available via the website, SaltySweetClothing.com and can also be purchased at several retail outlets at the Cocoa Beach Pier.
To promote a brand women can feel comfortable wearing, along with giving back to her community, is something Crystal said has always been her goal.
This month, on Saturday, October 18, Salty Sweet will sponsor the inaugural Salty Sweet Pro/Am Surfing Contest, to be held at the Cocoa Beach Pier. Proceeds will benefit the nonprofit, WE Care 2, a Cocoa Beach based organization whose mission is to help women struggling with substance and alcohol abuse.
The event will feature a longboard and short board pro event, with a total purse of $2,500 for each division. There will also be three amateur long and short board events, to include a girls 12 and under division, a 13 to 39 year-old division and a 40 year-old and up division.
Registration for the event is available online at Active.com/cocoa-beach-fl-salty-sweet-womens-pro-am-2014
