Med roots
The Mediterranean Sea is the cradle of civilizations and an extraordinary environmental heritage.
All our roots and history, comes from the deep of this space of water that has always been the origin of global trade for millennia.
Goods from the mysterious East have arrived here since ancient times…the Mediterranean where peoples, cultures and religions met, is today one of the most polluted seas in the world due to plastics.
Plastic represents 95% of waste in the open sea, on the seabed and on the beaches of the Mediterranean. But it is microplastics, smaller and more insidious fragments, that reach record concentrations in the Mediterranean almost 4 times higher than those recorded in the "plastic island". ” of the North Pacific. By entering the food chain, these fragments threaten even more animal species and also put human health at risk.
The Italian plastic island is located off the coast of the Tuscany Archipelago, fed by waste from the rivers Arno, Tevere and Sarno.
Plastic pollution represents a serious threat in the seas and oceans globally. Around 8 million tons of waste are concentrated in specific areas called "plastic islands". Italy occupies second place, with 7% of microplastics compared to the world average. A serious danger for the natural balance and the survival of 700 species of the marine ecosystem which risk their lives due to entrapment, ingestion, suffocation and release of toxic chemical substances.
Where is the 'floating' island in Italy located?
Research conducted by the Universities of Manchester, Durham and Bremen, together with the British Oceanographic Center NOC revealed that the Italian plastic island is located off the coast of the Tuscany Archipelago. The concentration of plastic waste is greater and cyclical between the islands of Elba and Corsica, especially in the seabed. Its formation derives from piles of bottles, bottles, bags, straws, food containers, cutlery, disposable glasses, polystyrene and fishing objects dispersed on the surface of the sea. A real open-air landfill fed by waste from the Arno river, the Tevere and the Sarno. It extends for a few tens of kilometers and tends to expand exponentially. Furthermore, the high temperature of the water contributes to the formation of micro fragments that accumulate in the seabed, persisting over time.
We take care of your boards
At MIGRA SURF we love to do research.
We always try to figure out the best solution possible, especially to protect our surfboards.
Save our toys is one of our dogma and we love to do it as best as we can, that's why we designed every single material, stitching and construction process to improve the performance of our design.
To choose the best solution to protect boards we tested many different types of foam into many different scenario, we did several empiric and scientific test and some of this are still on going because we strongly believe that research and improving never ending, there are always some trick to learn or discover to increase our shock absorb performances.
To reach the best protection we use a closed cell shock absorb, every board bag is designed to have best protection in the area where it really needs.
Thanks to foam distribution we come off with an ultra protected product and at the same time incredibly lighter.
Just to give you an idea our coffin 7.0 fits up to 22 millimeter of closed cell foam protection and its weight is less than 4 kilos (8,81 lbs), this feature is fundamentals if you want to load up to four boards and stay under 23 kilos to avoid excess weight fee for your luggage.
Of course closed cell foam is waterproof and eco-friendly. All material comes from post consumer reuse of PET plastic bottles.
Waterproof and floating test
All our team riders give constantly back to R&D, for us it is really important to create a communication channel between users and the design department because every single feedback could be fundamentals to find a new solution and improve performances.
If someone has any feedback or suggestion about our brand will be really welcome and feel free to fill the form here.
Road to Cali
Florence Italy 6.30 a.m. in the morning.
We look out of the window and we see the MIGRA 7.0 coffin ready to be loaded on board by the airport staff, four boards inside, two flights and a stopover, destination California.
We always think about these moments where the boards make incredible paths to cross the globe close to us.
Once landed we check the luggage and discover that thanks to the TSA lock our luggage has been checked by the border police without any damages.
The coffin 7.0 has a TSA combination lock with a universal key plug available by any customs agent working at a US airport.
TSA is an acronym of "Transportation Security Administration", the government agency in charge of airport security in the United States.
The TSA padlock has been inserted to avoid problems during checking baggage loaded, this feature allows customs agents to open the luggage without any forcing, using the universal key and to close it easily at the end of the security inspection.
In the meanwhile, a big swell is going to hit the entire northern pacific, the rain is starting to fall and the clouds are increasing… the waves have arrived!
The next morning the sun shines in the sky and passes through between dusty and mystic haze.
Preparing the bikes to go down to the beach, we decide to use the MIGRA 6.0 where we can load 2 boards, because having two boards behind is always better than having one (all MIGRA bags can carry 2 boards, check this link to read more about it).
We load everything on the bikes and the extra rail protection allows us to put the boards on the rack without damaging them and without having surprises on the rails of the boards.
The day passes quickly between one session and another, the waves slowly begin to decrease, on the beach a shy fire warms the hearts of all of us. Tired and cold, we check the last set of the day, it's time to put our wetsuits inside the MIGRA 3.0 backpack and to go home with mind trilled and full of awesome memories.
Behind our creative mind
The story of our brand can be recap into a single multi meaning word: research
Behind these eight letters there is a world made by travels, learning by experience and many design awards recognition.
In 2014 our founder Marco De Santi did a solo trip into the Philippines archipelago.
You have to know that Marco has an industrial designer background, he spent years designing so many different products: luggage, soft goods, lighting, sex toys, and many new concepts that allowed him and his design studio (Studio Natural) to receive many international design awards, like iF award, Good Design, Red Dot and mentions at the Compasso d'Oro.
Mixing Italian roots, design orientation and surf addiction this is what comes off: an innovation lover enamored with durable stuff and to surf remote waves alone or with few friends.
During the Philippines trip he looked for spots in some of the really remote islands and to check these spots he used several different modes of transportation: from a pedal tuk tuk and old vans to small propeller airplanes, every time his mind figured out the same problem: find how to load and protect the boards in an easy way.
Every time he had to add bubble wrap or plastic tube to make its boards safe.
Back at home Marco did a deep research on the market to find a product to help him in the next trip but he didn't find anything that matched these features, so the designer blood started pumping and he began to work on a new bag concept around the principles of durability, functionality and eco-friendly.
For Marco sustainability is not a PLUS for a product but is a MUST, for him design something without thinking about our environment is not acceptable.
The first bag model needed a lot of improvements, the second one was almost good but the third was a blast, his friend checked, tested hard and the feedback was so good that Marco decided to start MIGRA SURF, to help all surfers traveling around without compromise.
That's why this name: MIGRA comes from "migration". It doesn't matter how far away but every surfer moves looking for waves.
“Passion as surfing can radically change your life, we have to just follow the flow inside us”.
Back to the present, hopefully Marco's mind and his partner in crime are always working and we are happy to say that they are working hard on new products with models and prototypes tests.
In the next months we will introduce some interesting news, stay tunes!
Like gramps
Looking backwards to our roots we did a lot of evolution in terms of details, better fabric and stitching standards.
But from the beginning we set up solid dogmas that were and are crear in our mind: optimize each single process and piece of fabric to create eco-friendly and long life products to fight the fast fashion approach.
During the design process of each MIGRA SURF product we ask ourselves how we can reach these goals.
We design paying attention to every single detail, most of them could be invisible to you at first check but we need to be focused on every stitching point to be sure of its longevity.
Analyzing the clothing market we realized that 18% of global carbon dioxide emissions are produced by the manufacturing industry. That's why each single product is important, just for an example a low quality surf bag pollutes in each of its lifetime steps.
At the beginning because it needs natural resources and high consumption of energy but destroys the environment also during the use, if you want to know more check out why we banned tarpaulin fabric from our products (here).
Reconsidering the foundations on which our consumer behaviors are based leads to the birth of Slow fashion, a type of production and consumption of those who want to distinguish themselves from growing consumerism.
We totally agree with this approach but we don't say anything new , also our gramps are agree, we just try to have a conscious and ethical approach, putting environmental protection at the center of its model and thinking of the future of the world that we will leave to our childs.
Spreading our approach to influencing consumers habits and prospective is an essential part of the game for us.
About our products is the same thing, that's why we love spend and invest time into research and development, doesn't matter how long its is the process, the most important this is reach our goals to build the planet that we dream.
Quality, eco-friendly and durable, that's it.
If you what to check how we do our longevity tests on the product don't miss to check out our Journal Stress Test (video here)
Dark light to green and blue
Nestled between the ocean and the mountains overlooking the MIGRA SURF Team meets in search of waves in Northern Spain, precisely in Santander, the capital of the Cantabria region, an elegant city overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
The journey begins right here, in search of the Atlantic jewels that are hidden along the coast.
Our base became Playa de Somo where thanks to Surf to Live, the MIGRA SURF team was hosted and welcomed with open arms.
Together with the guests of the surf house, the team shared sunsets and sunrises in search of the perfect waves at this spectacular beach town!
Old and new friendships, step by step this marvelous team have linked working together and sharing experiences.
This energy has been carrying out the MIGRA SURF project for years, always surrounded by sustainable and functional suggestions around the travel bags world by anyone of the team.
We spend also some days close to France's border following a great swell into some unreal scenarios that leave us breathless
Now it's time to pack and load again all the stuff into the 7.0 coffin bags, destination Italy for a new swell...
but that's another story we'll tell you later!
Thanks Atlantico!
All photos by Nicolò Cunico, video by Colby Stanley follow them on Instagram.
Thanks Surf to Live for the hospitality.
"R" as Recycled and Ripstop
What does Ripstop mean?
The fabric that is used in all our bags is classified as rPET Ripstop it is a fabric made with a woven technology. Its main feature is its high ability to resist tearing, the Ripstop resistance is so high that it is used in the military.
Starting with these important characteristics we decided to use Ripstop technology on all MIGRA SURF bags. Ripstop fabric has superior resistance and any cuts that are confined between the stronger fabric filaments reach more difficult to expand. This main feature makes our products suitable for all surfers that love durable stuff in difficult weather conditions.
Of course rPET is an eco-friendly fabric.
“r” comes from Recycled, it’s a polyester material obtained from the recycling of waste materials.
It comes mostly from recycled PET bottles and in minimum part from industrial polyester waste.
Recycled PET is the polymer (plastic) obtained through recovery and recycling processes of the common PET which distinguishes the sorting, washing, shredding and melting of plastic materials.
The power of rPET is also to reduce the footprint because its production allows to lower the values of the CO2 footprint linked to production, increasing its environmental sustainability.
Tarpaulin fabric is NOT allowed
Every decision follows a consequence, from the beginning each of our single steps decline a clear path to sustainability and environmentally friendly way.
Each single stitch, fabric or construction selected is a deep reflection taking following our ethical fundamentals. All our products have 10th years of guarantee, we believe in it and we do our best to come out with durable and resistant bags. Durability is one of our must but also is the one of main points to have an eco-friendly life.
That's why we decided to ban LDPE webbing tarpaulin in all of our products. This material is commonly used in surf bags industries in the last 40 years. But we are accustomed to seeing it and already think that in a few years it's start to decompose by the elements flooding the environment from its micro pieces of plastic around.
The polyethylene tarpaulin ("polytarp") is not a traditional fabric, but rather, a laminate of woven and sheet material. The center is loosely woven from strips of polyethylene plastic, with sheets of the same material bonded to the surface. That's why it is sadly really easy that this cheap fabric under the sun ray effect, the salty stuff and the warm temperature, quickly starts to deteriorate losing all micro plastics around.
At MIGRA SURF hate walking on the beach or surfing surrounded plastics and we hate polyethylene tarpaulin.
This fabric is one of the main fabrics responsible for the disaster of microplastic into the ocean.
According to research estimates, over 14 million tons of microplastics have accumulated on the world's ocean floor, and these amounts are increasing every year causing harm to ecosystems, animals and people.
Only in Europe about 8% of microplastics released to oceans are from synthetic textiles. Globally this figure is estimated at 16-35%. Between 200,000 and 500,000 tons of microplastics from textiles enter the global marine environment each year.
Light is more
The concept of less is more is based on our values as surfers and travelers. Especially preparing a surf trip the equation is always the same:
less weight = more boards loaded
That’s why inspired by the philosophy of German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, we set a standard to reach the perfect compromise between boards protection and weight.
If you fly economy your load limit will be 20/23 kgs, that means that if your bag is less than 4 kg you can easily carry up to 4 boards plus some stuff.
This consideration was the beginning of our 7.0 coffin design process, we did a deep research into materials and development construction to reach our goal.
Thanks to a closed cell foam our 7.0 coffin weight is 3.5 kg, one of the lightest (maybe the lightest) in this category, not so bad if you think that it has 22 mm of foam protection!
We are so happy about it but above all now we are always related at weighting time on desk.
Of course this closed cell foam are used into all our products, if you want discover all surfboards bags collection click here.
The Caspian Sea mission
© 2023 - Erwan Simon
Our team ambassador Erwan Simon used to surprise us with his remote and extraordinary destination but this time, when he started to talk about Kazakhstan, he literally blew up our minds.
The Caspian Sea is located 27 meters below sea level in the middle of central Asia.
© 2023 - Azamat Sarsenbayev
As a great explorer Erwan analyzed bathymetry and local winds, trying to combine them with mathematical formulas to estimate the swell and wave potential.
Then did a deep research on books, internet and satellite images, no one had surfed Kazakhstan before so there is no information about surfing, so he decided to buy a ticket and go there to check by himself
© 2023 - Azamat Sarsenbayev
© 2023 - Azamat Sarsenbayev
He spent hours and kilometers around the Mangystau region and his analysis was correct! After a slow and large patrol he found pretty nice waves in a few spots.
© 2023 - Azamat Sarsenbayev
© 2023 - Azamat Sarsenbayev
© 2023 - Azamat Sarsenbayev
© 2023 - Azamat Sarsenbayev
Erwan with his unique approach and knowledge is for us and our products a continuum inspiration. We love the way he studies, finds and explores the right path toward the waves.
Follow @ErwanSimon on Instagram.
Yellow Line, we are still more close
This 2022 was full of challenges and evolution.
We presented our full new collection that had gone out of stock in 7 weeks, we enlarged our team and created a worldwide community that made us very proud.
We did some small big steps ahead into sustainability, improving our approach, our products and its production line.
We always put our ethics and values before any single decision because our impact on this marvelous planet must have the priority on everything.
Support and encourage surfers and explorers to reach more and get out of their comfort zone is graved into our Manifesto, that's why we are happy to introduce the Yellow Line: a real connection between our team and our community.
Our goals for 2023 is to create a real and organic way to be connected with our community and listen to their opinion.
Please feel free to use Yellow Line to tell us any suggestion, thought or just feedback, all messages are welcome.
We will reply to you personally.
In the meanwhile from all MIGRA SURF team we wish you a 2023 full of empty and glassy waves!
Cheers
Marco De Santi
(MIGRA SURF co-founder)
PS.
If you use Yellow Line form you will receive a 10% off discount code for your next order, be ready, board bags and backpacks will be back in stock soon!
YELLOW LINE FORM
Follow us on Instagram
Small details, big different
In every product there are few details that can elevate the quality status and maybe you couldn’t believe it but one of them are the zippers.
We invite you to look carefully at your MIGRA SURF bags and pay attention to the zips.
Be honest, now that you've seen that the letters YKK are engraved on it and you've probably never seen it before.
But what’s YKK mean?
This brand was founded by Yoshida Kōgyō Kabushiki in 1945 and now is the world's largest zipper manufacturer that stands out for quality and durability.
Just to give you an idea how important details are: YKK is one of the fundamental partners into the Space Shuttle Program.
When the man landed on the moon, his space suit used a YKK zipper, he needed a hermetic zipper that would not leak air.
Also on 2011 in the final mission STS135 Christopher Ferguson his space suit used YKK ( more info here).
In 1994, pursuing "harmony with the environment" as the top priority for all its commercial activities, YKK released the Charter for the Environment and offered to the market the first zip made with recycled material.
From the beginning MIGRA SURF has researched and chosen the best components for its surfboard bags by developing processes and always looking for sustainable products with which to create our bags.
Even if it's often underestimated, the zippers are an absolutely fundamental part for the structure of a product, that’s why we chose YKK as a partner to develop any products. YKK is the zip designed to combine innovation, resistance, creativity and longevity over time.
[sur-ching]
Search is the verb of surfing.
Around this simple verb turns all surfers's attitudes.
There are infinite options that move people, but surfers move mostly for waves. For people who are not addicted to this passion it's hard to understand but in a surfer's brain it is clear: I need waves, so I look for them.
It doesn't matter if you look near your house or go on a surf trip thousands of miles away, the most important goal is to find "your" wave.
I know too many stories of people that moved away from their hometown to places where waves are more consistent.
Most people move away for work reasons but surfers are driven mostly by the waves and we always try to create our life around the surf.
Why are we so addicted to this search? Where does this powerful push to search come from?
We are not psychologists, we are just small dedicated brand but what we have clear in our mind is that for surfers is not only a question of adrenaline, but it is a sort of multiple element combination.
Power of swell, wind direction, tide and type of break are all natural elements impossible to dominate.
When all of these join together, magical waves are created and you can feel the power inside you soul.
That's why everything goes around " the search", our brain is always looking for the only place on Earth where we forget everything, feel our body, our mind and our heart connected to this awesome energy.
That's what the search means to us, understanding where I can find the perfect balance between these elements makes me feel part of Mother Nature, part of this magic energy that creates perfect waves.
MIGRA's name comes from "migration" , every surfer moves looking for waves and we are part of this wonderful movement
Central Africa searching
Few moons ago Erwan called us and announced that is preparing a trip to central africa. We were so excited for him because for all of us Africa is one of the real boundaries about surf exploration.
Traveling alone is a bit tricky especially in the same remote place and if you have the ambition to record the entire trip.
We think he did a great job, Erwan has a huge experience in waves scouting and it is always a pleasure to talk to him when he comes back home to feel his emotion and receive feedback on our products tested in extreme conditions around the world.
If you have 10 minutes, have a seat and enjoy this nice video about waves, searching and board culture that is rising there.
If you want follow Erwan journey on instagram.
Tales of Planaria
Few moons ago our ambassador Yari Cava jumped to a plane following his instinct against a very bad forecasts.
Here is his logbook:
“It's time to spend time together and test the new MIGRA SURF collection.
After a long wait to get on the plane sitting on board at the start dreaming about waves, the forecasts are bad, the direction is not even the best but a small but distant swell is rising from the north west.
It is time to explore, off the tourist spots and away from the commercial surf, along silent roads looking for our dream, our paradise.
Dust, sun and salt are a perfect mix for testing the new MIGRA SURF collection, the sun is at its zenith and burns just right on my skin meanwhile the dust penetrates everywhere inside our four-wheels.
Planaria is a land of myths and legends of great navigators where the Romans sailed for miles into these treacherous seas, in search of Tyrian Purple, the beloved pigment of the entire Roman Empire.
We feel like riding a roller-coaster, mystified by the landscape, when… between two promontories we see a wave “Empty” no surfer above, slowly we find the direction but there are no paths to reach there, we have to go ahead only by walk…
We quickly get down all the stuff and we continue walking, fully loaded with the equipment and following our instinct to get the path and go down to the bottom. Meanwhile the offshore wind starts to blow and glass the first set.
We rest incredulous for a moment...
One set and then another and then another again, the waves start to pump, we are alone behind the promontory, awesome! We change so quickly, and finally our spirit rises so high, the turquoise waves crash on a lava rock like a machine, all framed by a small white sand beach.
We cannot say anymore, the rest you have to imagine it.
In this land forced by the elements in the middle of Atlantic Ocena, when strong wind winds a perfect balance with swell and coastline the waves become incredible.
Thanks Planaria"
Follow Yari on Instagram
A flight to east, maybe two
It’s time to travel in the northern hemisphere.
So load your backpack, check the forecast and set the compass to the incoming swell.
Nicolò and Colby took these dogmas so seriously that they did it exactly.
Two moons ago, bored from windy and mushy European conditions, they booked a flight to east just straight to an incoming solid swell.
To reach their goal they took any kind of vehicle: big airplanes, small airplanes, motorcycles, pedal risciò, crazy taxi, friendly donkey and comfortable flip flops.
Sometimes it was a bit hard, especially the crazy taxi, but the first barrel canceled all efforts and started to hypnotize their soul through the marvelous blue.
They spent thousands of kilometers checking every single surfable reef, the mission was so smart: surf incredible endless waves and test the new collection of our products:
Nicolò uses a 7.0 coffin full loaded with 2 boards and photographic equipment.
Colby traveled with his 6.3 with two boards inside.
We were happy to hear that feedback was so good, all stuff and toys traveled safely during the entire trip. Especially when the crazy taxi driver drops off the coffin on the way during the run. Don’t worry, the 22 millimeters of closed cell foam absorb all the shocks saving surfboards and cameras, not so bad.
PS. Nicolò was so addicted to this trip that after 28 days at home he decided to go back there and book another flight to the east. He left Europe a few days ago, the adventure continue…
7.0 coffin stress test
When we started to talk about 10th years of guarantee to our products the entire team loved the idea from the beginning.
After several brainstorming the biggest challenge came out was: how can we check and test quality and durability products?
So we decided to reflect and follow the approach that drove all our design decisions: a strong mix between analytic computable data research and a freedom instinct on human behavior.
That was the decision: a real stress test in real condition and use.
Starting from this we took a final prototype of the 7.0 coffin model, we loaded it with 23 kg of wood plank and we hung it on Sahara sun for one entire year!
Some stress test data
- Test location: 28°40'42.4"N 13°55'57.6"W
- Duration: 8760 hours (365 days)
- Sunburned exposition: 2920 hours
- Weight loaded: 23 kg
- Day temperature (average) 24,5°C
- Night temperature (average) 18,1°C
- Humidity (average): 70,5%
- Wind speed (average): 21 km/h
- Plus: punched by everyone that came to visit us during the test period.
Last but not the least this model was also used by the team for some missions in Central Africa and East Asia with this motto: "please use it in the worst way possible and record what's happening".
What's come out
- Recycled fabric after 2920 hours of sun burn lose a bit its color
- 22 mm of extra protection work very well to protects boars (our riders was so happy)
- Define some handle points to reinforce
- Plastic hooks need to be changed
- The 7.0 could be also use as outdoor furniture design : )
Results
- We changed the plastic hooks using another more resistant model that is loaded with nylon fiber to improve resistance.
- Reinforce stitching structure in some focus points to guarantee load performance.
- Extra handles approved
- YKK zip pullers confirmed
- After 2920 hours of sun the fabric loses a bit of color but thanks to its ripstop structure maintain its mechanical properties
After all this long process we are proud to give you 10th years of guarantee, but more important at all we are happy to tell you:
”Relax and enjoy your surf, we take care of your boards”.
PS. if you have any questions of suggestion feel free to write us: hello@migrasurf.com
Behind our design process
As surfers born in Med we were and are used to burning miles looking for some peaks, we have a travel approach in our DNA.
Our design process is driven by our roots, that thanks to technology and human experience we transform ideas in products.
Each decision, shape, detail or material has its specific function, we believe into a contemporary dogma: essential is more. Not too much noise, basic identity and easy to recognize, design functional and durable.
Why have we added extra protection to the rails?
To protect our boards travelling, especially by plane, we load all foam possible to preserve any damage.
Thanks to the construction shape and stitching, rails, the nose and tail are well protected.
We craft our bags like a pillow and then we reverse it, with this construction surplus fabric remains inside and gives another extra boost to save our toys.
Real environment friendly products.
Using recycled fabric from the beginning was a clear way to go and not a decision to take.
For us to produce eco products is not a plus, but is a must. We cannot continue going ahead without knowing what's happening behind our actions.
We have to think about our planet and preserve our playground, that's why with all new collections we introduced another important step for us: 10th year warranty.
Can you imagine a surfboard bag with unlimited use?
A product for eternity, no more production, no more waste when it is over. Of course this is a hard challenge but is what we are dreaming of.
Tools for surf without thought.
Funcional, sustainable and durable are our three dogmas that drive all our design processes. Starting from these we set the standards at MIGRA SURF.
We thought to all traveling/daily use surf experiences, and maybe it could be a bit like kooks but our surfboard bags are designed also when are not used: wrap it and save space.
Made by 100% recycled fabric
We constantly work to reach quality products and focus to preserving our environment and our playground.
That's why all our surfboard bags are made by 100% recycled fabric from post consumer PET bottles.
For each bag realized we recycle more than three hundred bottles.
This process allows to save 41% of energy and reduce 32% CO2 emission compared with "standard" bags production.
One surfboard bag is made by 308 recycled PET bottles
Photo credit by David Edmondson, follow him on Instagram.
Marta Perales
Marta comes from the biggest island of Canary.
When she is not in the water you can catch her climbing a new vertical or on the way to the airport ready to take off for a new trip.
Marta's essential life is easy: surfing, climbing, arts and a deep love for Mother Nature. She is always looking for travel and experiences to fill her soul.
Follow @Marta on Instagram.