Our Story
The Beginning
The idea for The Surf Bag started with a desire to carry a snack on the water to surf longer. Marlene started designing a bag that could be attached to the leash tie on her surfboard.
During the process, she discovered that expired aviation life vests made the perfect waterproof material — and that these vests were routinely discarded once they “expired.” Realizing she could give this material a second life, Marlene saw an opportunity to create a sustainable product that could help reduce waste.
She soon realized most people weren’t worried about carrying cookies — they were worried about where to stash their car keys. So The Surf Bag pivoted from being a snack bag and became a compact, waterproof pouch that could securely hold an electronic car key. The pouch fits comfortably in a pocket or can be attached to a surfboard’s leash tie, keeping essentials safe and dry on the water.
The Company
In 2023, Think Blue was founded with a mission to turn waste into purpose. Partnering with several airlines — including Hawaiian Airlines and American Airlines — the company began diverting expired life vests from landfills to create The Surf Bag.
In 2025 Think Blue rebranded to reflect its flagship product and evolving vision, becoming The Surf Bag.
At The Surf Bag, we’re committed to reducing the demand for new plastic by repurposing materials that would otherwise contribute to global waste. Every purchase of The Surf Bag helps divert discarded materials from landfills — and supports a cleaner, greener planet.
The Product
The Surf Bag is a small waterproof pouch for outdoors and water-sports enthusiasts. Although our material is repurposed, we value quality and durability. Our waterproof key bags are IP rated so you can trust that they'll perform when you need them most.
The Surf Bag is made in the USA from USA made materials. The original life vests are manufactured by several companies along the East Coast. The TRU® Zip self-healing zipper is manufactured in Minnesota. The marine-grade stainless steel grommet is from Stimpson in Florida. And even our The Surf Bag / Think Blue hang tag is made from recycled material by EarthPack in California. The Surf Bag itself is manufactured in California, and will soon be adding manufacturing in Washington State!
