Talking to the kids
Watch what the kids use and write down their exact words. Keep younger and older kids' answers separate. A child saying something is “nice” tells us very little, so ask what they would use, what bothers them and what they would change.
“We want to make better things for kids who surf. It could be everyday clothes, something you wear in the water, surf gear, or something you eat before and after surfing. Tell us what you would use and what you would never choose.”
1. Start with the gear they already have
“What is the best thing in your surf bag? What is the worst?”
| Product | Why they use it | What bothers them | Outgrown, broken or still going? |
|---|---|---|---|
2. Ask about growing
“What stopped fitting first? What did you do with it?”
“What do you think you will be surfing in two years? What gear will you need then?”
3. Show the four candidates
“Here are four things Sunset Duckies could make first. Which one would you actually use? Which would you never choose? What would you change first?”
Show the four completed concept sheets, with the product and provisional price visible. Change the order for each child. For anything edible, check allergies and parent permission first.
| Concept | Would use it for | First change | Exact words about the look |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday wear: ______ | |||
| Surf wear: ______ | |||
| Surf gear: ______ | |||
| Surf nutrition: ______ |
4. With a sample or comparable product
“Put it on or pick it up. What do you notice? What gets annoying after ten minutes?”
Taste test only: check allergies and parent permission first, then let them try a comparable breakfast product.
Use samples only in the setting and manner approved by the coaches. This sheet does not replace product safety testing.
5. The words to keep
Photograph this sheet and send it to Estelle on WhatsApp by Saturday.