About

Bada Birth Story

Yeeeew! Thanks for bringing your stoke here. So, you wanna know how Bada was born? Short story is, I'm somewhat vain and I just couldn't make this work for me.  

Or this. 

But! If you are that surfer who can...good for you!

Slightly longer story is this: 

I've been surfing regularly for six years and spent the last three developing Bada. After traveling to incredible breaks all around the world, I realized the surf industry was missing a massive gap: stylish, low-profile head protection. 

So, I decided to create it.

For me, this mission is deeply personal. As a brain tumor survivor, head protection isn’t optional—it’s imperative. But the truth is, everyone should be wearing protection in the water. Even the best surfers are vulnerable to the unpredictable nature of the ocean (& kooks, tee hee), and impact injuries happen far more often than we care to admit.

So why a protective hat instead of a traditional surf helmet? Because let’s be honest: if it looks like a helmet, it stays in the car. Full helmets are overkill for everyday, non-big-wave breaks, they lack essential sun protection, and are overwhelmingly designed with an "agro" aesthetic.

That’s not me, and that’s not Bada.

Bada is about high vibes and low profile. It’s premium (stealthy!) protection for those who want to respect the ocean and protect themselves.

So, be a BADAss in the lineup and not a liability. 

Fun facts:

Bada means Ocean in Korean

Surfing saved my life. Google search, "TV anchor Julie Chang discovers brain tumor after a surfing accident". 

I surf 4-5 times a week in Southern California. Yes, that means I should be way better than I am, but I'm more about the stoke than the skill :)