RIVVIA PROJECTS X STONE & WOOD

We’ve teamed up with Rivvia Projects to celebrate those sun-drenched afternoons, spontaneous road trips, and salty post-surf beers. Whether you’re chasing waves or winding down with mates, we’re giving you the chance to win $1,000 to spend with Stone & Wood* and $1,000 with Rivvia Projects*. Enter below!

Continue scrolling to read our interview with Rivvia Projects' founder, Julian Wilson.

Meet the Founder of Rivvia Projects

Julian Wilson

Julian Wilson is a globally renowned professional surfer, Olympian, and founder of Rivvia Projects—a lifestyle brand built around Active Discovery. Hailing from the Sunshine Coast, Julian’s career includes multiple World Surf League wins, a second-place finish at the 2024 Gold Coast Pro, and a reputation for balancing elite performance with grounded, outdoor living. Whether he’s surfing, golfing, or raising a young family, Julian’s spirit of curiosity and adventure lives through everything he does—including the brand he now leads.

You've described Rivvia Projects as built around the joy of "Active Discovery." How does that sense of unplanned adventure fuel your life both on and off the board?

“Active Discovery” is a concept that is at the core of everything I do. Ever since I was a kid growing up in the sunshine coast. It's about embracing life with a sense of adventure and living it to its fullest. Always being curious. Always trying new things. 

For me personally, it means blending my passions, whether I'm surfing, golfing, or spending time with my family. Finding fun and joy in every moment. It's a mindset that brings adventure and excitement to every day.

At Stone & Wood, Pacific Ale was made for that moment when you come in from a surf, rinse off the salt and take a breath. What's your version of that moment?

Firstly, I love that feeling. Haha. There's something magical about that transition from being completely immersed in something, to then relaxing and reflecting on that experience. Whether it's surfing fun waves with friends or finishing 18 holes on the course, it’s those moments of pause when I feel most grateful for the life I get to live.

From surfing to golf and staying active, you live a pretty diverse lifestyle. How do those different pursuits influence the way you design for Rivvia Projects?

This diversity directly influences how we approach design at Rivvia Projects. When the team and I are developing products we’re always thinking about versatility and functionality across multiple environments, from the surf to the fairway to the street. Having experienced the limitations of gear that might be designed specifically for just one activity, I wanted to create products that can seamlessly transition between different disciplines while maintaining performance and style. Our goal is to make gear that performs no matter where your day takes you.

Where do you go, or what do you do, when you really need to reconnect with nature and reset?

The ocean has always been my reset button. There's nothing quite like paddling out at dawn or late afternoon as the sun sets behind you. I've also found the golf course provides a different kind of connection with nature. The stillness, the trees, and the mental focus required helps me clear my mind. Connecting that back to the brand, It's these experiences that inspired Rivvia Projects,  creating gear for people who find their reset button through movement and nature.

Stone & Wood is deeply tied to Byron Bay and the Northern Rivers, places that embrace outdoor living and slower moments. Where's your favourite spot that blends energy and calm?

The Sunshine Coast will always be home for me. It perfectly balances that energy and calm. Growing up there with my two brothers, led by my mum and dad, has shaped who I am as both a surfer and a person. The points offer world-class waves, but the surrounding environment has this calming beauty to it. That contrast between what can be an energetic and chaotic line up vs the natural serenity of the national park is something I've always cherished about the area.

Surf culture has evolved so much over the years. How do you see Rivvia Projects and its values fitting into the modern surf lifestyle?

Surf culture has definitely transformed a lot in recent years. What I've seen is that the surf industry has lost some of its edge and authenticity. With Rivvia Projects, we're part of a movement towards independent, founder-led brands that put people, purpose, and passion at the front of everything we do. We also see Rivvia Projects as more than just a surf brand. Our goal is to create something that speaks to today's version of a surfer. Someone who might surf in the morning, play golf in the afternoon, love to stay active and train and also wants to meet friends in the city at night to wind down. 

Modern surf lifestyle isn't confined to the beach anymore, it's more fluid and combines other activities and interests. Rivvia Projects embraces this while staying connected to core surf culture at its heart. We're creating products for people who might identify as surfers but live much more multifaceted lives.

Both Stone & Wood and Rivvia Projects talk a lot about community. What role does community play in your creativity and your career?

Community has been integral throughout my journey as a professional surfer and now brand owner. I've always drawn inspiration from the people around me. From my early days being supported by the Noosa surf community to now building my own family as well as the Rivvia Projects family, community drives everything I do.

I want Rivvia Projects to be more than just a brand; it's a platform for connection. A platform to help up and coming kids realise their dreams, and a platform to connect with our customers and communities in different ways. This has taken shape through several grassroots events that I've not just participated in myself, but helped create and run with the support of Rivvia Projects and other likeminded brands. Events like “Pits & Divots”; which brings together surfing and golf into a one day experience. The “Serious Fun Project” has been particularly meaningful in focusing on empowering the next generation of young surfers. And “Foam & Loam”, which created a unique crossover between motocross and surfing, two sports and communities that might not otherwise connect.

My career has shown me that individual success is only possible when it's built with a strong community behind you. I always try to make it a point to share what's happening behind the scenes with Rivvia Projects and involve our customers in the decisions we make, allowing them to not only follow the brand, but help shape what it becomes. 

Your performance was huge, does this mean you're back?

I hope so. Right now, I'm taking it one event at a time. I still need to qualify through the challenger series to get back to the big stage. So while I can't say I'm officially "back" in the traditional sense of full-time touring on the WCT, I'm definitely not done with competition. What I've learned is that I don't need to choose just one path. I can be a competitive surfer, a dad to three amazing kids, a husband to an incredible wife and a brand founder to a growing business. It’s a lot of balls in the air for sure, but I'm just enjoying embracing the journey without really knowing where it will go.

You recently came second as a wild card at the WSL Gold Coast Pro—what was that like mentally and physically, stepping back into such a high level of competition?

Stepping back into elite competition was both challenging and exhilarating. Mentally, there was a mix of excitement and nerves. Wondering if I still had what it takes after taking such a long pause to focus on family and Rivvia Projects. 

What surprised me was how much I'd missed it. As soon as I put that rashie back on, something triggered inside me and I wanted it more than ever. During my break from the tour, I gained a renewed appreciation for the sport and this event really validated my decision to come back. It also showed me that I could balance a competitive career with my responsibilities as a dad and brand founder. Something I was unsure of, and something I was proud to prove.

AU18+ only. Ends 18/6/25 11:59pm AEST. Limit 1 entry/person. https://stoneandwood.com.au/pages/competition-terms-and-conditions
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