Sun Protection Made Fun
For Waipu parents Marnie and Steve Hillier, a day at the beach with four young boys meant endless sunscreen struggles and concerns about UV protection. So they created Cucumber Cool - a range of full-coverage, UPF50+ swimsuits and hats designed to keep kids safe, visible, and stylish in the sun. We caught up with Marnie to learn more.
Tell us about the inspiration behind Cucumber Cool.
Last summer I wanted to buy a full coverage swimsuit for our three-year-old who has fair skin, and it blew my mind that in a country like New Zealand, with such fierce UV rays and such high skin cancer rates, there weren't any available locally. Immediately we knew that we had to create this product for kiwi families so they could rest easy knowing their kids' skin was protected while enjoying their summer activities.
What makes Cucumber Cool unique compared to other kids' swimwear on the market?
None of the kids' swimwear on the market covers down to the ankles, which we think is bananas! Creating wrist-to-ankle swimsuits with matching legionnaire hats felt like a no-brainer - a simple, stress-free option keeping 90% of kids’ skin protected all day, whether they’re swimming, playing on the beach, or running around with friends.
What was the design process like to create a product that combines style, safety, and comfort?
From the get-go we knew this brand had to be all about sun-safety but also about having loads of fun and catering to kids and what they’ll actually want to wear. We were already planning groovy prints and then went all out on the colour palette, ensuring loads of high-visibility options for water safety. Once we finalised our designs we sent samples to ARPANSA which is the Australia/ NZ regulatory agency to get formally tested for their UPF rating. We were hoping for UPF 50+ and the tests came back with a UPF rating of over 300 - needless to say we feel incredibly confident that they offer the best protection out there from UV rays! Our kids and their friends became our trusty (and brutally honest) testers, trying out fits and prints, and putting the swimsuits through months of real-life adventures - swimming, surfing, sand-boarding, and more - to ensure they’re as comfy and durable as they are fun.
Where will Cucumber Cool be available and what are your plans for its future?
So many exciting things are in the works, we’re developing an all-natural, high-SPF sunscreen stick to complete the sun-smart trifecta - easy to apply and perfect for pairing with Cucumber Cool swimsuits and hats. From there we think it would be rude not to create some funky, fun sunsmart goodies for Mum and Dad too! Cucumber Cool will be available online but we'd love to see you at our pop-up shop over the summer, located right next to the Waipu Cove Dairy. Visit our website or Instagram for opening hours.