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The Wiffle for a Diffle Celebrity Tournament

This Saturday, August 10, 2013, the Pediatric Sun Protection Foundation will be distributing Coolibar sun safety product and sunscreen during the Wiffle for a Diffle Celebrity Tournament fundraiser at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

Sixteen corporate teams will play a double elimination day of Wiffle® Ball games. Each team will have a celebrity captain to guide them to the championship! Family festivities to include a magician, balloon twisters, Disney princesses, superheroes, Chicago mascots, an interactive wiffle ball station (batting cages), corn holes, face painting, a scavenger hunt, and more!

Dr. Amy Brodsky, founder of PSPF says, “This is an excellent opportunity to teach good sun protection habits, while helping kids in the Chicago area.” Proceeds from the event benefit the Wood Family Foundation, an advocate for Chicago area children, providing support through long-term relationships with kids and their communities, ensuring the consistency and the emotional structure they need to succeed.

Need more incentive to attend? There will be roughly 4000 in attendance, including Chicago big wigs and celebrities like Bill Murray and Jenny McCarthy.

Check out the event page for more information.

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Inside Coolibar

Coolibar Employees Visit AAD’s Camp Discovery

Coolibar had the pleasure of meeting the youth and staff at the American Academy of Dermatology’s Camp Discovery on July 10, 2013. Camp Discovery offers youth with skin conditions the opportunity to spend a week among young people who have similar skin conditions — free of charge — with a dermatologist referral.

Coolibar employees arranged a scavenger hunt for the teens and counselors, which eventually led to the beach front where volunteers were giving away Coolibar sun hats and UPF 50+ swim shirts. Many campers immediately put on their new shirts (a huge compliment from teenagers) and dived right into the water.

Camp Big Trout, located at Camp Knutson in Crosslake, Minnesota is one of six AAD Camp Discovery locations. Each year Coolibar also donates sun protective hats to all Camp Discovery locations, providing sun hats to 350 kids.

Check out our album below from Coolibar’s road trip to Camp Discovery.

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Events Inside Coolibar

USTA Tennis Arrives in Downtown Minneapolis

Live in a metro area? Ever watch an outdoor match of tennis in the midst of towering skyscrapers? An unusual site, but once a year, you’ll see this in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota (Coolibar’s state headquarters).

Many of USTA Northern’s best tennis players compete for over $5,000 in prize money in men’s singles and doubles, women’s singles and doubles and mixed doubles.

Our friends at Twin City Tennis Camps invited Coolibar to not only watch the action, but talk with tennis fans and city strollers catching a glimpse of the excitement. Of course, who can resist free sunscreen samples and sun protective clothing when it’s sunny with a heat index of 100+?


If you live near Minneapolis and still want to catch a game, it’s not too late. Women’s finals are tomorrow, Friday, July 19, 2013. You’ll also see Coolibar there from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop by and say hi if you’re in the area.

Event details:

The 18th Annual Canadian Pacific Aquatennial Tennis Classic runs July 8-19 at Canadian Pacific Plaza (2nd Avenue & 5th Street) in downtown Minneapolis. Matches begin weekdays at 9:00 a.m. and continue until approximately 5 p.m., weather permitting, and spectator admission is free. In cases of inclement weather, matches will be moved to the Baseline Tennis Center on the University of Minnesota campus.

The qualifying tournament is July 8-10 at Canadian Pacific Plaza, followed by the main draw, July 10-19. The men’s singles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles finals are set for July 18 beginning at 10:00 a.m., followed by the women’s singles and doubles finals on July 19 beginning at 10:00 a.m.

For more information, please visit www.aquatennial.com or call 612-376-7669.

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Inside Coolibar What our customers say

Coolibar put to the test in the Mideast

Phillip Jones is a well-seasoned traveler of the Mideast. After spending 30 years in deserts and a bout of skin cancer, he still loves hot, dry places, but now takes the necessary skin precautions.

I lived in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, traveled in Bahrain, Jordan and Turkey. I love the Mideast, people, culture and food. On March 27, I travel to Salalah, Oman for my third visit. Oman tests clothing and travelers with intense heat, sun, strong winds and the reflected sun from the ocean when on the coast. After years in the Tropics and the deserts of Arabia, Jordan, Oman, and Kuwait, my skin must be protected from more skin cancer. Since I travel light, my clothing must be strong, easily hand washed and dried at night, then look sharp the next day.

After 62 years of sun exposure in the Tropics and in four deserts, my skin is in bad shape. My dermatologist has said that I have no good skin left on my hands. The only solution for me has been to wear Coolibar Full Ginger Gloves when I drive, fish or plan to be outside for any length of time. Since my ears have been burned many times by liquid nitrogen, as well as being “trimmed” at Duke Hospital, I often wear the Coolibar protective sun drape in the Middle East and when fishing in the Arabian Gulf or the Indian Ocean. With the sun drape on, I can fish for twelve hours on the ocean and get back to land without any sunburn. This Easter, I spent a week in Oman for the third time, fishing off the coast of Salalah, then returning to Sur for five more days of fishing on the water. This trip, I wore my Coolibar Full Finger Gloves, Protective Sun Drape, Featherweight Bucket Hat and Adventure Jacket. My skin did not even turn pink!

The Coolibar bucket hat works very well in the windy desert or on the water. The 3-inch brim is not too large to flap from the wind and can be tightened with a cord in back as well as the chin strap. It folds nicely for pocket carry as well. When I did not wear the sun drape, I would put the hood of the Adventure Jacket under the Bucket Hat, preventing any neck sunburn. The Adventure jacket works well on many levels. It is thin, cool to wear and has six pockets. When my fishing line would become tangled, I would take my gloves off, stuff them in the outside jacket pockets, and retrieve them when lines were unkinked. I kept my eyeglasses secure in the chest pockets, fastened with Velcro.

I am fair skinned, blue-eyed and a redhead, so I cannot take any more chances with the sun. My wife wants me to wear sunscreen, but with Coolibar products I only have to cover my nose and a bit of cheeks with sunscreen, and still avoid burns. Coolibar products pack well, wash in a bathroom sink when traveling, dry quickly and still look sharp the next day!

Phillip – North Carolina

Coolibar provided Phillip with the Adventure Jacket and Bucket Hat for the purpose of this review.

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Wear Sun Protection What our customers say

I’m African-American and Sun Safe

Coolibar was introduced to mom blogger Quiana Agbai of Harlem Love Birds this spring at Getting Gorgeous, an event dedicated to making mom’s feel gorgeous, both inside and out. Quiana learned all about Coolibar Sun Protection You Wear and needless to say, we had a lengthy conversation about the importance of sun protection for all skin types. Mrs. Harlem Love Bird shares her thoughts with us.

Review by Quiana Agbai, Blogger, Harlem Love Birds

As an African-American one of the biggest myths is that we don’t need to wear sunscreen because of the melanin in our skin. This is far from the truth, especially in light of the recent study about prolonged use of sunscreen preventing skin aging. Although the subjects weren’t African-American, it was speculated that outstanding results would have been achieved as well.

While I’ve used sunscreen off-and-on throughout my childhood and now as an adult every single day, especially with my diagnosis of discoid lupus in 2007, it’s been important more than ever to practice being sun safe.

With that in mind when I was introduced to Coolibar at Getting Gorgeous blogger event last month, I knew it was a brand I wanted to learn more about. Sure enough, Coolibar partners with the Lupus Foundation of America to provide education about the importance of maintaining sun safe habits.

The Coolibar Sun Beach Hat I’m wearing (picture left) was included in my Getting Gorgeous gift bag. It’s been a mainstay when I’m out and about especially for prolonged play-dates at the park and pool. Every time I wear it I get stopped by people wanting to know where it’s from.

I’ve noticed my Sun Beach Hat really does keep me cool and because my scalp is most affected by discoid lupus it provides outstanding coverage. It also has an adjustable loop inside to adjust the fit; since the brim is so large I’ve had a few times when it blows away like a sail so making sure the fit is correct is important! It also folds up nicely but retains its shape and structure when unfolded – no floppy hat syndrome.

Guest blogger Quiana Agbai received free sun protective product for the purpose of this review. All opinions are her own.

Quiana and daughter Nia

Shop Coolibar UPF 50+ Clothing, Hats and Swimwear.

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Educate Others Events SunAWARE

World Vitiligo Day

Today, June 25, 2013, is World Vitiligo Day, a day that aims to increase awareness of vitiligo and raise funds needed for research and education.

Michael Jackson, one of the most famous entertainers in the world, suffered from vitiligo. And even after his death it’s still one of the most misunderstood things about the king of pop. Vitiligo is a skin disorder in which there is a loss of color (pigment) from areas of skin, resulting in irregular white patches that feel like normal skin. It’s the reason one of the most famous men on the planet went from black to white.

Well over 100 million people from all over the world suffer from this disease. It affects all nationalities, ages, genders and levels of social strata.

Vitiligo is an acquired disease characterized by progressing skin depigmentation, due to destruction or malfunction of melanocytes, cells that produce melanin. It is present worldwide, and its prevalence in different countries ranges from less than 0.1% to more than 8% of general population (~1% in the United States and in Europe), while many cases go unreported due to the current dermatology practice.

Although vitiligo has impacted the lives of millions of individuals since recorded history, predominantly in the developing world, there is no cure in sight. And because it is not contagious or life-threatening, patients often receive no support from national healthcare systems or insurance companies whatsoever.

The World Vitiligo Day is a public initiative aimed at building global awareness about vitiligo.  Click here to join a list of 500,000 signatures needed to address the United Nations and highlight vitiligo.

Check out these resources on vitiligo:

VR Foundation
Firmly committed to curing Vitiligo, the VR Foundation is a non-profit organization funding and fast-tracking medical research across the biomedical spectrum. With bio-IT tools, it provides a collaborative an environment to bridge the gap between scientific frontiers and the patients who need treatment. The VRF has recently joined a group of biotech companies that are bypassing traditional mass-market cosmetic and orphan drug development indications to expedite product development.

Vitiligo Bond Inc.
Founded in November 2010, Vitiligo Bond Inc. (VBI) is a registered nonprofit 501c(3) organization that aims to provide support for those living with vitiligo. VBI has grown into a worldwide support group, through its Facebook and social media presence. As an advocacy organization, VBI is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for vitiligo; increasing awareness of vitiligo spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with vitiligo and their families. Natasha Pierre, founder of VBI, is a current vitiligan. Her experience in living with the skin disorder has given her the passion and understanding of vitiligo.

Click image to share on Facebook:

American Academy of Dermatology
The AAD is the largest, most influential and most representative dermatology group in the United States. With a membership of more than 17,000, it represents virtually all practicing dermatologists in the United States, as well as a growing number of international dermatologists. Read what the AAD says about vitiligo and the importance of sun protection. Find a board certified dermatologist.

Read about other famous people with vitiligo: NY Jets DL Coach Karl Dunbar – Seeing Beyond My Vitiligo.

Michael Jackson photo credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson

A portion of this post is part of a news release originally published by the VR Foundation.

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Events SunAWARE

Tennis camp teaches sun safety on and off court

If you play tennis, you know it’s sometimes difficult to find shade on outdoor courts. So this summer, Twin City Tennis Camp, a local Minnesota business, is taking great strides to educate youth and their parents on the importance of using sun protection both on and off the court.

Since I started the organization in 1999, Twin City Tennis Camp has been committed to providing kids interested in tennis a healthy, fun and athletic atmosphere. Tennis is a lifetime sport, and we want campers to have fun and stay safe!

To promote sun safety on and off the court, I reached out to Coolibar- Sun Protection You Wear to help me educate parents and players on the importance of sun protection. Coolibar is a part of our local community and once I saw the superiority of the different fabrics, I knew we had to work together. I love the 3d dri pro SUNTECT® items for tennis!

Twin City Tennis Camp

This summer, we are providing sunscreen during tournaments and informationa to educate the importance of sun safety. I want to set an example for the kids and show that wearing UPF 50+ items and broad-spectrum sunscreen is not only cool (pun intended), it will keep me safe from the sun. I am excited to begin educating the kids, while still helping them perfect their tennis stroke.

– Dan Nabedrick

“Many have the will to win, but few have the will to PREPARE to win”

To learn more about Dan Nabedrick’s Twin City Tennis Camps and commitment to safety, visit http://www.twincitytenniscamps.com/

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Inside Coolibar Wear Sun Protection What's Hot

Sun Protective Fashions on the Runway

Skin for Life, an annual fundraiser hosted by Advanced Dermatology in Lincolnshire, IL not only raised over $14,000 for the Skin Cancer Foundation, but put on a stellar runway show featuring Coolibar sun protective clothing. Check out photos from the runway.

Photo credits: Photo Affair Studios

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Shop the look:

Photo 1: Aire Wrap and Shapeable Travel Hat

Photo 2: Aqua Dress and Packable Wide Brim Hat

Photo 3: Beach Tunic

Photo 4: Fitness Jacket

Photo 5: Convertible Polo

Photo 6: Convertible Polo

Photo 7: Fitness Jacket and Fitness Shorts

Photo 8: Pareo

Photo 9: Shoreline Cover Up and Wide Leg Pant

Photo 10: Sunblock Jacket

Photo 11: Vera Ruched Hoodie and Swim Tights

Photo 12: Vera Shores Tunic

Photo 13: ZnO Seaside Hoodie and Beach Pants

Photo 14: ZnO Sun Wrap and Beach Hat

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Contests Events Inside Coolibar What's Hot

#WhereICoolibar Photo Contest – Win a $500 Shopping Spree!

Want a chance at winning one of three $500 Coolibar shopping sprees this summer? All you need to do is show us where you Coolibar!

Coolibar Sun Protection You Wear is useful beyond the beach. Our expansive line offers UPF 50+ protection for travel, exercise, work and even outdoor parties. Share where you Coolibar with us on any Coolibar social media site.

To Enter the #WhereICoolibar Contest:

1. Like or follow Coolibar on any one or all of these social media sites:

Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram

(If you’ve already done this, move on to step 2, and thanks for being a fan!)

2. For one (1) entry, post a photo on the Coolibar Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram site of you in your Coolibar sun protective clothing. Use hashtag #WhereICoolibar and tell us where you are. Earn up to four entries by posting a different photo (one photo = one entry) on more than one Coolibar social media site. While it’s not required, we’d also love to hear what you’re wearing.

Judging: Our customer service team has a keen eye for Coolibar. They will be voting for their favorite photo in two categories:

Best Coolibar on location/travel photo. Example:

Coolibar’s Founder John Barrow sitting under a giant strangler fig in his Coolibar Travel Shirt and Sun Hat in Australia. #whereicoolibar

 

Best Coolibar family and/or kids photo. Example:

Playing in @Coolibar UPF 50+ Romper at local pool and playground! #whereicoolibar

Deadline for entry: Monday, July 15, 2013 at 11:59pm CST. We’ll announce our winners Friday, July 19, 2013. Good luck!

Rules: To enter, you must be 18 years of age or older. Contest open to residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia. The winners will receive one (1) of two (2) $500 (five-hundred-dollar) shopping sprees to www.coolibar.com to spend on Coolibar branded items. Winner will be chosen by Coolibar customer service based on the categories above. Comments and photos deemed inappropriate by Coolibar, or not owned by the posting individual, will be deleted and disqualified. No purchase necessary to win. Prize is non-transferable, not returnable and cannot be sold or redeemed for cash. Four entries maximum per person. Coolibar, Inc. employees, employee family members and affiliates are not eligible to win. Contest rules subject to changes at the discretion of Coolibar. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram are not affiliated with Coolibar, Inc. or this contest. Deadline for entry: Monday, July 15, 2013 at 11:59pm CST.

Share a photo now: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram

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Inside Coolibar What our customers say

A letter from a new Coolibar customer

April 26, 2013

Dear Coolibar,

I’ve never felt like writing a fan letter to a company before, but I do now.

Recently, when preparing for a Maui vacation, I entered panic city—I hadn’t been to Hawaii in 20 years and the thought of wearing a bathing suit suddenly horrified me! Local stores offered only boxy board shorts and blah rash guards as alternatives to the ubiquitous skimpy suits. I’d never shopped online for clothes before, but I was desperate!

Quickly, I discovered that only two sites, HyrdoChic and Coolibar, might fit my needs. I came across criticism about Coolibar in a few places, so I tried HydroChic first. I chose five items, though apprehensive about the ones on sale being nonreturnable. The $19 shipping fee was a shock, especially so when the items arrived, 5 days after ordering, stuffed in an envelope that barely survived intact. Unfortunately, none of the pants fit correctly (mainly because of the lack of drawstrings) but I didn’t return them immediately because at that point I had no alternatives. When I was ready to return them I realized they give you only 14 days from the date they were shipped to return them for a refund—my 11 days had long passed!

I decided to give Coolibar a try—and I’m so glad I did! I found none of the criticism I’d read to be true, save one—the fact that you don’t offer swim bras! Otherwise, I found Coolibar to be superior in every way! My 9 items were packed with care and shipped for free (they arrived 8 days after ordering; for my following order of 6 items, I opted to pay the $12.95 for 2nd day air.) All items were of the highest quality, the pants thankfully had drawstrings and the shirts had internal gripper strips as an extra feature. Also, I was amazed to find how the outfits totally withstood the abuse I subjected them to, with all the snorkeling I did and the many times I got smashed around into the powerful shore breaks and ground into the sand (I saw people in regular bathing suits practically stripped naked.)

My favorite outfit was the Ruche Swim Shirt worn with the Swim Tights (which I found versatile because with the legs pulled up they could be worn as capris.) Also, I was thrilled to find I could go swimming and then go straight to any store or restaurant (if still a bit damp it didn’t show, buy they dried fast!) It helped make my trip more carefree and easy.

Of course, your clothing’s most important feature is sun protection (having had melanoma I learned the importance of that the hard way.) It was great to only have to apply sunscreen to my face, neck, hands and feet, and never get burned. My travel companions went through bottles of sunscreen, and still got sunburned. Also, I learned on my trip that sunscreen is a source of pollution, that there are even days when the water in places like Molokini Crater are covered with oil slicks from their use!

Since I bought multiple sizes (being unsure how they’d fit) I’m very thankful that you have a customer-friendly, REALISTIC, return policy! And, it was great being able to wait until after my trip, when I was certain of what I wanted to keep, to return my unused items!

Thanks for everything, I’ll be ordering again!

Sincerely,

Deborah

Deborah in her UPF 50+ Coolibar Ruched Swim Shirt
Deborah in her UPF 50+ Coolibar Ruched Swim Shirt
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