Rip Curl x Farm Rio: The Summer Surf Collection That Combines Style and Performance, According to Kelly Saint Jean

Let’s talk about the Rip Curl x Farm Rio collection! We spoke with French free surfer Kelly Saint Jean, who can’t get enough of the pieces. The collaboration blends Rip Curl’s technical expertise with Farm Rio’s vibrant prints across apparel, swimwear, luggage, and surf gear, all rooted in a love for beach culture and sustainability.

Kelly Saint Jean is a true child of the Landes region, having grown up to the rhythm of the ocean. She discovered surfing at a very young age in Hossegor, where her father helped her catch her first waves. “Rip Curl has been one of the brands inspiring me since I started surfing. I love their universe, deeply rooted in surf culture, and the fact that they develop products designed for real conditions, not just for style,” she told us, before sharing her thoughts on the Rip Curl x Farm Rio pieces she took with her to Indonesia.

Hi Kelly, which pieces from the Rip Curl x Farm Rio collection are you wearing?

Kelly Saint Jean – I’m wearing the reversible one-piece swimsuit and the small neoprene crop top. I love that the swimsuit is reversible, it lets you switch up your style, and the neoprene top is really cool both for the look and for its technical side.

You went on a trip to Indonesia this winter, tell us about it...

Kelly Saint Jean – I went to the Mentawais and Bali. It was incredible. I mostly surfed reef breaks, with fairly challenging conditions, but there were also perfect moments with long waves. I surfed a lot of rights, which I love, kind of funny for a goofy footer. It’s definitely a magical place to improve and push yourself. A true paradise.

How did it feel surfing in the Rip Curl x Farm Rio pieces? Are the fit, material, and support suited to your movements? Do they stay comfortable after hours in the water?

Kelly Saint Jean – Honestly, I felt really good in them. The one-piece stays perfectly in place, even in solid waves, and the fit is so well designed that I don’t have to think about it while I’m surfing. The neoprene top adds extra support and comfort, especially during long sessions. Even after several hours in the water, it still feels great to wear.

In your opinion, do these pieces meet the needs of women surfers?

Kelly Saint Jean – Definitely. The support is there, which is essential, you feel secure in your movements. At the same time, the cuts are still feminine and stylish, so you don’t have to choose between performance and aesthetic.

Did you notice any technical advantage or detail compared to what you usually wear?

Kelly Saint Jean – Yes, the way everything stays in place in the water really stood out to me. Even during duck dives or when it gets rough, nothing shifts. The neoprene top is also a real plus, it offers some protection from the wind, sun, and chafing.

Do you wear these pieces outside of surfing as well? If so, how?

Kelly Saint Jean – Yes, absolutely. I wear the one-piece as a bodysuit with shorts. And the neoprene top can be styled with high-waisted shorts for a cool beach look.

Do you think this collection successfully combines technical performance with a fun, expressive style?

Kelly Saint Jean – Yes, exactly. You can really feel the technical side in the water, but there are also super fun prints and colors, a bit different from what you usually see. It gives the collection a strong identity.

Is there a particular piece you love and would recommend to other surfers? Why? 

Kelly Saint Jean – I’d say the reversible one-piece. It’s practical, comfortable, and stylish all at once. It’s a versatile piece you can wear both for surfing and for relaxing afterward. I 100% approve of the support and the reversible aspect, it gives you two different looks.

Was there a specific moment or session when you really appreciated wearing these Rip Curl x Farm Rio pieces?

Kelly Saint Jean – Two sessions come to mind in the Mentawais: one at Burgerworld, where everything was just perfect, clean, fun waves, and I had an amazing feeling… and another at Bank Vaults, where it was much heavier. I got seriously worked, but honestly, nothing moved. And that’s the ultimate test!