Chicatana

Is a brand that was born at the Mexican Pipeline at Playa Zicatela in Puerto Escondido. Enrique Peña, the owner and shaper of every Chicatana board has been surfing his entire life and now has his studio located in Baja Mexico. For the brand identity we went through a study under another name called Frontera which you can see below, but it did not feel specific enough to the genesis and particular ethos of a Oaxacan surf brand. It was through that study that we came back to a name that was closer to Enrique’s heart. The chicatana is a small fly like insect known for its tenacity and flavor when added to local Oaxacan cuisine that typically hatches in late spring with seasonal rains that also happen to announce the arrival of the Summer swell in Puerto Escondido. It is the perfect mascot for this brand. The final logo incorporates the little fly and a negative version inspired by the tradition of pattern and craft from the Oaxacan region. Both logos are used on the boards as well as on Tshirts to give Chicatana recognition on the beaches of Mexico.