The Story Behind SORA

A Brand Born From Surf, Built With Intention

My name’s Ryan Baumann, and I’m the founder of SORA. Before I started this brand, I spent years building software companies. I loved what I did but after selling a large part of my business, I realized I wanted to build something that felt more personal. Something real. Something that actually gives back.

I’ve been lucky enough to surf all over from Pipeline and Waikiki to Swami’s in Encinitas. Along the way, I saw something frustrating: so many legendary surf brands were being sold off to private equity firms or just disappearing altogether. And as someone who loves surf culture not just the sport, but the soul of it I felt like something was missing.

That’s where SORA came in.

Surfwear That Gives Back

SORA isn’t just a clothing company. It’s a monthly drop brand with a purpose. Every month, we design limited-run apparel around a specific beach, and 10% of profits from that drop go directly to a foundation tied to that coastline.

This isn’t about chasing trends or mass-producing hypewear. We make gear for people who love the ocean and want to protect it. People who care about where they surf. Who feel connected to the coastline.

Comfort First

Everything we print is on Comfort Colors hands down the best blanks for this kind of gear. Heavyweight, soft, broken-in, and built to last. These are shirts you’ll want to live in. Whether you’re post-surf, post-work, or just hanging with your crew, it’s made to feel good and wear better with time.

Big Vision, Small Start

Right now, we’re a small team but the vision is big. As we grow, we’ll expand our drops to more beaches across the U.S. and beyond. We’ll keep finding foundations that do the real work, and we’ll make sure every shirt still means something.

We’re not here to be another brand on the rack. We’re here to build something that surfers, locals, and coast connected people are proud to rep.

This is only the beginning.