Emocean Magazine

What Emocean Magazine does

Emocean Magazine (legally Emocean LLC) is a California-based, women-owned independent publishing company that produces a multi-media print surf magazine with global distribution. Founded in 2020 and operating with a seven-person team, the company publishes themed issues capturing surf culture and amplifying voices from underrepresented communities in mainstream surf media, including Indigenous, Black, people of color, women, and queer communities. The product portfolio centers on eight published print issues (Issues 01-08), each organized around an emotion — Joy, Rage, Connection, Devotion, Fear, Love, Pain, and The Infinite — distributed primarily through direct-to-consumer e-commerce at emocean.surf and a curated network of independent retail stockists across America, Australia, the UK, Germany, and Bali.

The company operates with no proprietary technology platform, mobile app, or AI features; its core "platform" is a content-driven commerce operation supported by a community-led open submission model that welcomes pitches from writers, photographers, artists, poets, and surfers globally. The trademark "Emocean" is registered to Emocean LLC, and the magazine ships to over 70 countries via USPS with all-sales-final terms and no returns.

Emocean generates revenue through three primary streams: magazine sales priced at $25 per back issue and $35 for the current Issue 08, branded apparel and accessories ranging from $25 to $89, and a 2025-launched $30 annual membership subscription (US-only) that delivers one new issue per year with free shipping and a 15% discount. The company is bootstrapped with no disclosed institutional funding or parent company, and relies on Instagram (@emocean.surf) and email newsletter as primary demand-generation channels.

Name

Emocean Magazine

Legal name

Emocean LLC

Website

https://emocean.surf

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Emocean Magazine is a California-based, women-owned independent print surf magazine publishing themed issues and apparel, sold direct-to-consumer and via global stockists to surf culture enthusiasts and supporters of diverse storytelling.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Surf Culture Magazine

NAICS

Periodical Publishers (513120), Periodical Publishers (51312)

SIC

Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721)

akta.pro primary industry

Consumer Lifestyle & Fashion Magazines (MPAJAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Arts, Culture & Literary Magazines (MPAJAEAN)

Keywords

• Print surf magazine
• Independent publishing
• Surf culture media
• Issue-based publishing
• Surf branded apparel

Headquarters

HQ city

Not specified

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Magazine Sales: Sale of physical print magazines (Issues 01-08) at $25 per copy. New issue (08) priced at $35. Each issue is themed around an emotion (Joy, Rage, Connection, Devotion, Fear, Love, Pain, The Infinite).
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including t-shirts ($25-$65), hoodies ($89), and caps ($35). Special edition merchandise tied to past issue themes.
3. Annual Membership Subscription: $30 per delivery annual membership providing one new issue per year, 15% discount off regular price, and free shipping on all membership deliveries. Memberships billed annually and auto-renew. Available for USA only.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Emocean publishes a multi-media print surf magazine under Emocean LLC, releasing periodic themed issues (Joy, Rage, Connection, Devotion, Fear, Love, Pain, The Infinite) featuring diverse surf culture stories, photography, and profiles. The company also sells branded merchandise (tees, hoodies, caps) and offers an annual membership subscription that delivers one new issue per year with free shipping and a 15% discount.

Product overview

Emocean is a multi-media and print surf magazine that serves as the company's core product offering. The portfolio consists of eight distinct print magazine issues (Issues 01 through 08) released periodically, each themed around an emotion (Joy, Rage, Connection, Devotion, Fear, Love, Pain, The Infinite). The issues range from 112 to 232 pages in 7x9" format, featuring surf athletes, cultural figures, and surf community stories. The product line also includes an annual membership subscription providing one issue per year with free shipping and 15% discount. Complementary merchandise includes branded apparel items: t-shirts, long sleeve shirts, a hoodie, and a cap, all with distinct design elements tied to the magazine's aesthetic and branding.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Issue 01—Joy Print magazine issue featuring Jaleesa Vincent, Stephen Milner, Kim McKenzie, Benny's Club, Mary Mills, Sachi Cunningham, Chelsea Woody. 7x9" / 112 pages. Targeted at surf culture readers and independent magazine collectors.
• Issue 02—Rage Print magazine issue featuring Rochelle Ballard, Moana Jones Wong, Bruce Mathys, Jodie Barsby, Wrenna Delgado, Imane Signate. 7x9" / 160 pages. Currently sold out.
• Issue 03—Connection Print magazine issue featuring Holly Wawn, Selema Masekela, Otis Hope Carey, Locals: Puerto Rico, Saada Ahmed, Gage Crismond. 7x9" / 152 pages. Currently sold out.
• Issue 04—Devotion Print magazine issue featuring Mikey February, Frankie Harrer, Matt Warshaw, Cher Pendarvis, Ellis Ericson. 7x9" / 160 pages. Currently sold out.
• Issue 05—Fear Print magazine issue with cover by Mario Ordoñez-Calderón. Features Arne JinAn Wong, Luana Froiseth, Beau Cram, Ming Nomchong, Luis Fernando Torres, Moana Jones Wong. 7x9" / 172 pages. Currently sold out.
• Issue 06—Love Print magazine issue, part of the Emocean lineup. Available at $25 per copy.
• Issue 07—Pain Print magazine issue, part of the Emocean lineup. Available at $25 per copy.
• Issue 08—The Infinite Latest print magazine issue featuring Tom Morat (cover by Aljaž Babnik), Carissa Moore, Rachel Lord, Sasha Jane Lowerson, Surf Fetish brand feature, Locals: Peru edition, Taylor Camp retrospective, surf tarot. 7x9" / 232 pages. Available at $35.
• Emocean Membership Annual subscription delivering one new issue per year (starting with Issue 08, 232 pages, shipping May 2025). Benefits include 15% discount ($30 per delivery vs $35 regular price) and free shipping on membership deliveries. Available in USA only.
• Emoceans Tee Mineral wash garment-dyed 6.5oz tee with unisex fit. 100% cotton with 'In My Emoceans' puff graphic on front. Pre-washed for no shrinkage. Made in U.S.A. Price: $55.
• Emoceans Shell Tee Limited edition mineral wash garment-dyed 6.5oz tee with unisex fit. 100% cotton. 'In My Emoceans' puff graphic with hand-sewn shells on front. Each tee unique with shells differing slightly. Made in U.S.A. Price: $65.
• Noelle Hoodie Luxe garment-dyed 14oz fleece hoodie with loose fit. 100% cotton. Logo embroidery on front. Unisex cut. Pre-washed for no shrinkage. Made in U.S.A. Price: $89.
• Mimi Cap Mineral wash distressed dad cap. 100% cotton. Rhinestone logo on front. Adjustable back fits most. Made in China, embellished in U.S.A. Price: $35.
• Issue 02—Long Sleeve Issue 02—Rage themed long sleeve shirt. 6 oz heavyweight soft ringspun cotton. Modern classic fit tubular body. Screen printed graphic with 3D puff print on white graphics. Made in USA. Price: $27.50.
• Issue 03—Tee Issue 03—Connection themed t-shirt. 6oz heavyweight soft ringspun cotton. Modern classic fit tubular body. Screenprinted graphic. Price: $25 (was $50).

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Bacteria BookscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralian wholesale distributor for Emocean products. Handles AUS/NZ wholesale inquiries. Contact: [email protected]

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Monster Children: Independent surf/skate culture magazine and brand with apparel line. Direct peer on the magazine-plus-merchandise model serving youth surf and skate culture with a distinctive editorial POV.
• Huck Magazine: UK-based independent magazine covering surf, skate, and counterculture with a strong editorial voice on underrepresented voices. Comparable business model of premium print magazine plus digital content.
• Stab Magazine: Independent surf publication combining print issues with digital editorial and video content. Comparable as an editorial-driven surf media brand with a global readership and DTC merchandise component.
• The Surfer's Journal: Iconic independent print surf magazine publishing long-form surf culture journalism on a periodic cadence. Closest direct comparable to Emocean's editorial model, premium pricing, and curated-issue approach.
• Wavelength Magazine: Canadian independent surf publication with periodic print issues and a focus on cold-water and diverse surf communities. Comparable as a niche, community-led independent surf magazine.
• Tracks Magazine: Long-running UK surf print magazine with periodic issues and a strong independent editorial tradition. Comparable as a periodic-issue print surf publication with international distribution.
• Surfing World Magazine: Australian independent surf magazine covering surf culture, travel, and lifestyle. Comparable as a premium independent surf publication serving the Australian/international surf community.

Emerging players

• Holler Magazine: Independent print magazine focused on outdoor and adventure culture including surf-adjacent storytelling. Comparable as a curated-issue independent magazine with a values-driven editorial lens.

Others

• Mollusk Surf Shop: Independent surf retailer and brand with publishing arm (Mollusk Zine). Listed as an Emocean stockist and reflects the overlap between indie surf retail and small-press surf publishing ecosystems.

Broad incumbents

• The Inertia: Larger digital-first surf media platform with editorial coverage of surf culture, environment, and community. Comparable audience and subject matter but operates at significantly larger scale as a primarily digital publication.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/emocean.surf
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/emocean-magazine

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Emocean Magazine