SWIM & SURF MONTAUK by Jun Lee of EIR NYC

“I did not plan to spend the summer moving painfully through the sea rather than riding triumphantly upon it. But 10 months earlier, surfing in the waters off Bali, I was flung off my board, severely injuring my right shoulder.  I needed two surgeries, and was heartbroken to learn that the recovery would take a year- which meant a year off my board.  But instead of avoiding the sea, I was drawn towards it. I spent the summer swimming my way to recovery.

Because I couldn't surf, my friend would take me out on his Hawaiian outrigger and we would try to catch waves. On the calmest of days the water was like glass, and we would gaze down, enchanted, all the way to the rocks lining the ocean floor.  I loved being on and in the water, but not the way the heavy duty Zinc sunblock- a surfer favorite - parched my skin.

So I resolved to take matters into my own hands – to create the perfect sunblock, one that was organic, natural, eco-friendly, and both waterproof and hydrating. I had been mixing essential oils for a decade, and consulted with expert practitioners, herbalists and acupuncturists about how best to use them. The result was Surf Mud. My first 'customers' were my friends, and as the word spread amongst surfers I found I could barely keep up with demand. Soon, local shops were carrying Surf Mud, and I branched out into other healing products.  My company is called EiR, in honor of the Norse goddess of health and healing, who used nature’s bounty to sustain and balance the body, spirit and soul.”

FAVORITE MONTAUK SWIM SPOT: Navy Beach 
STAY: Sole East 
EAT: Naturally Good

~Jun Lee

Jun Lee is the founder of EIR NYC.

2014